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Who cares
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Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to finance
- Referred to finance
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S3519
Title of bill
An act to amend the state finance law, the navigation law and the environmental conservation law, in relation to establishing the aquatic invasive species volunteer steward program
Purpose
The intent of this bill is to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species into the waters of the state of New York; and to preserve aquatic recreational activities in the state.
Summary of provisions
This bill expands the use of funds deposited in the "I love New York waterways" vessel access account from the boat registration surcharge for administrative costs for the aquatic invasive species volunteer steward program established pursuant to section 74-A of the navigation law.
The measure also creates a non-motorized vessel invasive species permit to help fund the program.
Justification
Aquatic invasive plant and animal species create an unacceptable risk to New York State's environment, recreational boating and the related economy. This bill seeks to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species in the waters of the State while promoting recreational aquatic activities.
In order to protect the recreational quality of the public waterways, the economic interests of marine industries and the enjoyment of pleasure boating and other sports on the waters of the state from the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species, this bill directs the commissioner of parks, recreation and historic preservation, in cooperation with the New York invasive species council, to initiate and put into effect a comprehensive aquatic invasive species voluntary steward program designed to collect information and data on alien plants and animals in the waters of the state and to educate boaters. Building on a successful voluntary program in effect in some parts of the state, stewards shall be tasked with inspecting vessels entering and leaving New York waterways, removing and collecting plant or animal material, identifying aquatic invasive species, and making a survey record thereof. Such survey shall include, to the extent available, information about the vessel, its origin, body or bodies of water in which it was operated and over what periods of time, what invasive species material may have been collected from the vessel, as well as any other information the commissioner may deem helpful in meeting the goals of the program.
The bill provides funding for the program by expanding the existing purposes of the I love NY waterways account, which is funded by motorized vessel registration surcharge fees, to include supporting the aquatic invasive species voluntary steward program. Resources in
the account will be enhanced by the proceeds from the creation of a non-motorized vessel sticker fee.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
Funding is made available from the "I love New York waterways" vessel access account.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, any regulations necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be promulgated before such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.