A bill to end a requirement that farm vehicles report where they might drive has passed the state Senate.

Under existing laws, New York farmers must record all possible places where they might drive farm-plated vehicles, even though they are already restricted to traveling within a 25 mile radius.

DMV offices are required to keep the documents on file, adding paperwork and filing costs to the offices. Farmers are also required to produce the documents on demand.

Agriculture Committee Chair and 48th District Sen. Patty Ritchie said that requirement was a “foolish mandate,” and offered the bill approved by the Senate.

“Sometimes farmers have opportunities to rent or lease additional fields to raise feed crops or graze livestock,” Ritchie said. “With the existing 25 mile restriction already preventing the abuse of farm license plates, we should abolish this unnecessary mandate that just makes extra work for both farm families and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

“At a time when New York is looking for ways to reduce costs and eliminate foolish mandates, we should also be looking at ways to make New York a more attractive place to farm,” Ritchie said.

The bill now goes to the Assembly.