Permits the transfer of a lifetime hunting license held by a person killed in combat to a family member

BILL NUMBER:A9065

Title of bill

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to the transfer of lifetime hunting licenses held by military members killed in combat

Purpose or general idea of bill

To allow for a lifetime hunting license held by a Member of the Military killed in combat to be transferred to a relative of that Member.

Summary of specific provisions

Authorizes the transfer of a lifetime hunting license held by a Member of the military killed in combat to a relative of the decedent. The bill authorizes the Executive or Executrix of the Estate to designate the transferee and if the Estate has been fully administered the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation is authorized to effectuate the transfer.

Effects of present law which this bill would alter

Currently a lifetime hunting license expires upon the death of its holder, even in the case of members of the Military killed in combat.

Justification

The cost of a lifetime hunting license is several hundred dollars. This is a lot of money for many families. When the licensee is killed in combat they are typically quite young. If the money has already been spent on the lifetime license and his or her family members desire to continue to hunt, it is appropriate to allow the license to transfer to one such family member.

Prior legislative history

This is a new bill introduced at the request of the family of Justin Whiting. FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: Minimal.

Effective date

Immediately and shall apply to the license of any member of any military branch of the United States of American who died in combat or while deployed for military purposes on or after September 11, 2001.