Provides that persons participating in a fishing class or clinic sponsored by a school or university are exempt from fishing license requirements

7 Co-sponsors

• Greg Ball
• Ginny Fields
• Clifford Crouch
• Dean Murray
• William A. Barclay
• Joseph Saladino
• Gary Finch

11 Multi-sponsors

• Nancy Calhoun
• Nelson Castro
• Jane Corwin
• Joseph Errigo
• Stephen Hawley
• Andrew Hevesi
• Brian Kolb
• Peter Lopez
• David McDonough
• Marcus Molinaro
• Andrew Raia

BILL NUMBER:A10095

Title of bill

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to providing that persons participating in a non-commercial fishing class or clinic sponsored by a school or university are exempt from fishing license requirements

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of this bill is to comple- ment the curriculum one participates in when learning the sport of fish- ing. It will allow students of those clinics to not only learn the fundamentals of the sport but also enable them to acquire hands on expe- rience prior to applying for a license.

Summary of specific provisions

The bill amends the provisions of Section 11-0707 of the Environmental conservation law by adding a new subdivision 10. The new subdivision reads "Persons participating in a non-commercial fishing class or clinic sponsored by a school or univer- sity may take fish and frogs as if they held fishing licenses except that they may not take bait fish by net or trap". The new section is effective immediately.

Justification

Schools and Universities around New York State hold many different classes and clinics educating those interested in learning the sport of fishing. This type of education helps to build a proper founda- tion of fundamentals involved in participating in the sport. Currently, anyone aged 16 and older is required to hold a valid New York State fishing license. This means that those enrolled in the classes and clin- ics that do not hold a valid license are not permitted to actually participate in the sport.

By not allowing those learning the fundamentals of the sport to actually participate in it without a license, students aren't receiving the full benefit of education. This would he like enrolling in a Driver's Educa- tion course that was solely based in the classroom. A teacher can explain how to shift gears and when to use turn signals, but one cannot truly understand the concept until sitting behind the wheel of a car. Because new drivers are required to hold only their Driver's pen-nit when enrolled in a driving course, they are able to get the hands on experience needed for when they apply for their actual license.

This bill would create a sort of "temporary" situation for those inter- ested in acquiring their fishing license but do not have the education or background to do so, The classes and clinics can be thought of as a type of "permit" enabling those enrolled in them to go out and practice what is taught to them in the classroom. There is no negative impact on New York State as it is expected that those enrolled in the courses would, after completion, apply for and buy their own fishing licenses.

Prior legislative history

New Bill

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

This bill is expected to have an overall positive fiscal impact both on the state and

local levels. On the state level, it would prompt those who completed the classes to go ahead and buy their official New York State fishing license. On the local level, the bill would prompt those with newly acquired fishing licenses to purchase the equipment needed for the sport from both large and small businesses in their area. The bill may also result in an overall increase of tourism throughout New York State, especially in areas that may not experience large amounts of tourism, if any at all.

Effective date

Immediately.