N.Y. Agriculture & Markets Law § 226: Natural fiber textile development workgroup

§ 226. Natural fiber textile development workgroup. 1. There is hereby

established within the department a natural fiber textile development

workgroup. The commissioner, in conjunction with the commissioner of

economic development shall convene an annual workgroup of stakeholders

which may include but not limited to a producer of animal-based fibers,

a producer of plant-based fibers, a representative of a statewide

agricultural organization, a representative of a regional or statewide

organization of animal or plant fiber producers, a representative of

fiber and textile manufacturers which is defined as a fiber processor or

spinning mill, a knitting mill, a weaving studio, or wet finishing

(dyeing, printing or fabric finishing), a representative from

designers/producers which is defined as including apparel, home textile

products, industrial textiles and healthcare products, and a

representative of an academic institution offering textile or design

education, and a representative of an academic institution offering

fiber-producing livestock education. This workgroup shall study and

identify methods to, including but not limited to:

(a) increase the economic contributions and employment opportunities

related to animal and plant fiber agriculture and textile manufacturing

in New York state;

(b) increase private investment in, and utilization of, New York state

produced and processed natural fibers in all categories of textile:

manufacturing including apparel, home textile products, industrial

textiles, and health care products;

(c) improve public understanding of and appreciation for natural fiber

textiles; and

(d) increase export and market opportunities for New York produced

natural fiber textiles.

2. The workgroup shall submit recommendations to the commissioner, the

commissioner of economic development, the speaker of the assembly, the

temporary president of the senate, the minority leader of the assembly

and the minority leader of the senate within one year of the effective

date of this section and every two years thereafter.