What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.759
- 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.
Relates to the powers and duties of enforcement officers
In Assembly Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S6876
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to the powers and duties of enforcement officers
Purpose
Relates to the powers and duties of enforcement officers.
Summary of provisions
Paragraphs e and f of subdivision 4 of Section 71-0907 of the Environmental Conservation Law are amended to eliminate statutory warrantless seizures of fish or fishing gear as part of an enforcement action.
Justification
The current process as provided by the Environmental Conservation Law authorizes the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to enforce specific provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Law.
Paragraphs e and f of subdivision 4 of Section 71-0907 of the Environmental Conservation Law authorizes designated officers to seize fish or fishing hear without a warrant. As such, the DEC serves at the police, the prosecutor, the judge and the jury, all before the case ever gets to C01111, leaving accused fishermen or wholesalers with no process to contest these seizures. In some situations, such confiscations can run into the thousands of dollars.
This legislation would no longer authorize blanket warrantless seizures of fish or fishing gear as all citizens are entitled to some due process of law under the Constitution. Enactment of this legislation would not hinder prosecution of illegal activity, but would insure that the rights of fishermen are protected.
Legislative history
New legislation.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.