New York legislation · 2025-2026 General Assembly
New York A11637: Requires certain zoning changes that include the development of farmland or open spaces to be subject to approval under a referendum vote
Status: In committee, July 29, 2026
Requires certain zoning changes that include the development of farmland or open spaces to be subject to approval under a referendum vote, approved by at least 60% of voters in the town, village, or city.
What the bill says
An act to amend the town law, the village law and the general city law, in relation to requiring certain zoning changes that include the development of farmland or open spaces to be subject to approval under a referendum vote.
From the introduced text, July 29, 2026:
AN ACT to amend the town law, the village law and the general city law, in relation to requiring certain zoning changes that include the development of farmland or open spaces to be subject to approval under a referendum vote THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The town law is amended by adding a new section 274-c to read as REFERENDUM VOTE REQUIRED. 1. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE TERM "OPEN SPACE" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS DEFINED BY SECTION TWO HUNDRED FORTY-SEVEN OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW. 2. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, ANY LOCAL LAW OR ORDINANCE OR OTHER ZONING CHANGES THAT INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF FARMLAND OR OPEN SPACES SHALL BE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL UNDER A TOWN REFERENDUM VOTE APPROVED BY NO LESS THAN SIXTY PERCENT OF VOTERS. § 2. The village law is amended by adding a new section 7-725-c to read as REFERENDUM VOTE REQUIRED. 1. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE TERM "OPEN SPACE" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS DEFINED BY SECTION TWO HUNDRED FORTY-SEVEN OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW. 2. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, ANY LOCAL LAW OR ORDINANCE OR OTHER ZONING CHANGES THAT INCLUDE THE …
Sponsors
- Scott Bendett (R, 107) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Subjects: Town Law
Common questions
- What is A11637?
- A11637 is a bill in the New York Legislature (2025-2026 General Assembly): Requires certain zoning changes that include the development of farmland or open spaces to be subject to approval under a referendum vote.
- What does A11637 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend the town law, the village law and the general city law, in relation to requiring certain zoning changes that include the development of farmland or open spaces to be subject to approval under a referendum vote.
- What is the status of A11637?
- In committee as of July 29, 2026. Latest action: REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS (July 29, 2026).
- Who sponsored A11637?
- Scott Bendett (R, 107).
- Where is the official record for A11637?
- On the New York Legislature website: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A11637
Source: official New York record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.