ALBANY – The New York State Senate has unanimously adopted a bill that will help keep some of New York’s overburdened farmers on their land and relieve some financial stress of many small, family run farms.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Tom Libous (R-Binghamton) and Assemblyman Bill Magee (D-Nelson), would allow farmers with outstanding tax liens on their property to pay the oldest liens first. This would be a relief for many area farmers who have multiple liens because under current law, the most recent lien must be paid first while older ones accumulate additional fees and penalties, putting farmers in jeopardy and subjecting farm land to the risk of division and being sold in smaller acreages.

According to New York Farm Bureau President Dean Norton, the bill is a necessary measure to protect farmers statewide.

“This may seem like a small change to some, but for farmers that are struggling to stay on their land, this could turn out to be a crucial piece of legislation,” he said in a recent press release. “I am very grateful to Senator Libous for his steadfast leadership on this issue and for his strong support of agriculture in general.”