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History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Held for consideration in environmental conservation
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to environmental conservation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Authorizes state residents to gather dead timber from the floor of the state forest preserve when such timber is on the side of a public highway
In Senate Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Betty Little
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:A445
Title of bill
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY propos- ing an amendment to section 1 of article 14 of the constitution, in relation to the gathering of dead timber from the lands of the state forest preserve
Purpose
To permit the taking of fallen timber from forest preserve lands.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 - amends section 1 article 14 of the constitution to allow residents of the state from gathering dead timber lying on the forest floor on state-owned lands when such timber is on the side of a public highway, except lands the commission of environmental conservation may designate by rule and regulation where such gathering shall be prohibit- ed. Every person gathering dead timber pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision shall do so at his or her own risk without disturbing the surrounding vegetation.
Existing law
The Constitution prohibits the selling, removal or destruction of timber on forest preserve lands.
Justification
The prohibition on the removal of dead timber in the forest preserve has been an issue of concern with the residents of the Adirondack Park for many years. During the Ice Storm of 1998, thousands of downed trees were left to rot while residents without power searched for ways to heat their homes by other means such as a wood stove. Many people wanted to use the wood they saw lying by the roadside, but were prohibited from doing so.
In light of the rising home heating costs it is even more important to change the constitution to allow for the gathering of dead timber from the forest preserve.
Legislative history
2007-08: S.1123 3rd Reading; A.10608 Environmental Conservation 2006: S.6389 3rd Reading; A.10601 Judiciary
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This amendment would become effective on the first of January next succeeding approval of both houses of two consecutively elected legisla- tures and approval of the people in the subsequent general election.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.