Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateJun 1, 2026Result: passed
(58) (2) (0) (3)
Senate bill · S6017 (2025-26)
Enacts the "food retail establishment subsidization for healthy communities act"
Latest action Jun 1, 2026
New York State Senate
Same as A8692, the matching bill in the Assembly.
Summary
Enacts the "food retail establishment subsidization for healthy communities act" (FRESH Communities); provides loans, loan guarantees, interest subsidies and grants to businesses, municipalities, not-for-profit corporations or local development corporations for the purpose of attracting, maintaining or permitting the expansion of food retail establishments in underserved areas.
Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries
From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 20, 2026. About our data
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Purpose, from the sponsor's memo
To promote public health and nutrition by authorizing assistance for establishment or retention of food retail establishments selling fresh food in underserved communities.
Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)
Where it stands
Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Up for a vote
- Passed one chamber
- Passed
- Enacted
Committee
Corporations, Authorities and Commissions · New York State Assembly
Also referred to Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · New York State Senate, Ways and Means · New York State Assembly.
Cosponsors
Brian Kavanagh, Christopher Ryan and 11 more on Agora
Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab)- Democratic13
Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.
- Brian Kavanagh
- Christopher Ryan
- Cordell Cleare
- Donna Lupardo
- Emily Gallagher
- Jo Anne Simon
- John T. McDonald III
- Kristen Gonzalez
- Michelle Hinchey
- Pete Harckham
- Rachel May
- Rebecca Kassay
Show the full list (13 names)Show fewer cosponsors
The sponsor's argument
Why April Baskin says this is needed
Development pressures in New York's urban areas, increased consolidation of the retail industry and other socioeconomic factors have led to a decline in the number of supermarkets and other retail outlets selling fresh foods The lack of sufficient access to retailers offering fresh food choices in urban areas is a growing problem nationally and increas- ingly a contributing factor to increased rates of obesity, diabetes and other nutrition-related health concerns. Our neighboring state of Pennsylvania has responded by enacting a First Industries Program that provides grants, loans and loan guarantees to provide financial assistance to urban and rural supermarkets in under- served communities. Ensuring an adequate number of outlets for fresh produce, dairy products, meat, poultry, seafood and bakery items will not only benefit the residents of currently underserved communities but will also benefit local and regional growers and processors. In addition, the bill would reduce energy expenditure and greenhouse gas admissions by encouraging reliance on less processed food and reducing the need for long distance transportation. Retail establishments that participate in this program will be required to accept payment from electronic benefit transfer through the supplemental nutrition assist- ance program, do not charge a membership fee, hire residents living within a twenty-mile radius of their business.
This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.
Recorded votes
Vote: Committee vote · Rules
Senate RulesMay 28, 2026Result: passed
(21) (0) (0) (0)Vote: Committee vote · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions
Senate Corporations, Authorities And CommissionsFeb 10, 2026Result: passed
(7) (0) (0) (0)Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateMay 20, 2025Result: passed
(59) (2) (0) (1)Vote: Committee vote · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions
Senate Corporations, Authorities And CommissionsMay 13, 2025Result: passed
(7) (0) (0) (0)
Full history
- Jun 1, 2026
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
- Jun 1, 2026
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
- Jun 1, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
NY Assembly
- May 28, 2026
In committee
COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
NY Senate
- May 28, 2026
Ordered to Third Reading CAL.1360
ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1360
NY Senate
Show full history (13 earlier events)Show less history
- Feb 10, 2026
Reported out of committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
NY Senate
- Jan 21, 2026
Reported out of committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
NY Assembly
- Jan 7, 2026
Died in Assembly
DIED IN ASSEMBLY
NY Assembly
- Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
NY Senate
- Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
NY Assembly
- May 29, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
NY Assembly
- May 20, 2025
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
- May 20, 2025
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
- May 20, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
NY Assembly
- May 15, 2025
Advanced to Third Reading
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
NY Senate
- May 14, 2025
2ND Report CAL.
2ND REPORT CAL.
NY Senate
- May 13, 2025
1ST Report CAL.1027
1ST REPORT CAL.1027
NY Senate
- Mar 4, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
NY Senate