Regulates noise ordinances shall not be more stringent than those in effect at the time the construction or operation of the sport shooting range initially was approved

1 Multi-sponsor

• William A. Barclay

BILL NUMBER:A9215

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the applicability of noise ordinances to sport shooting ranges

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill would grandfather in sport shooting ranges that were in existence prior to development around the sport shooting range and prior to local noise ordinances.

Summary of specific provisions

This bill would add a new section, 1300-d, to the Public Health Law, exempting sport shooting ranges already in existence, from local noise ordinances.

Justification

Historically throughout New York State, sport shooting facilities have been available for participants to engage in various recreational and competitive sport shooting. In fact, sport shooting has been recognized as a competitive sport at the Olympic level. This includes shotgun sports such as trap, skeet and sporting clays, as well as rifle and pistol competition. These facilities provide the opportu- nity for traditional audiences as well as young men and women interested in this sport to safely engage in the sport.

Additionally, these sport shooting ranges bring much needed revenue into communities and municipalities through the purchasing of sports equip- ment, patronizing of hotels, purchase of gas, payment of tolls, shop- ping, eating establishments, recreational activities such as movies, plays, etc. in the areas. Major tournaments emphasize the advantages above to an even greater extent. This sport adds revenues to a county, village or city via tourism and brings sportsmen and sportswomen from all over Many of our young people who reside in New York State compete in this Olympic sport but no longer have the ability to stay compet- itive.

Increasingly, shooting ranges have come under pressure as development has occurred in surrounding vicinities. Local municipalities have sought to bring these facilities into disfavor due to the enactment of local noise ordinances. The decibel level of the noise ordinances are violated constantly in communities through garbage trucks, barking dogs, school buses, trucks, lawn mowers, and average every day activities that occur. Therefore, it is discriminatory to single out sport shooting ranges as a violator of any local ordinance. This grandfathers sport shooting ranges that were in existence prior to the local noise ordinance.

Prior legislative history

A6608A of 2006

Fiscal implications

None

Effective date

Immediately