Relates to authorizing proxy hunting and fishing

BILL NUMBER:S5451

Title of bill

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to proxy hunting and fishing licenses

Purpose

This bill outlines the procedures and restrictions for possessing and maintaining a proxy hunting and fishing license.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends the environmental conservation law to create a new section on proxy licenses. The section states that both the proxy and beneficiary must hold valid hunting and/or fishing licenses, and that the beneficiary also must be either visually impaired, physically disabled, or sixty-five years of age or older. This section also lays out the limitations of such a proxy and the requirements for maintaining it. The proxy authorization may not be used to take a species of fish or game for a beneficiary outside of the time specified on the proxy authorization. Furthermore, the proxy may not be a proxy for more than one beneficiary at a time.

Section 2 contains the effective date.

Justification

This legislation creates a mechanism by which a beneficiary can use a proxy to gain the benefits of hunting or fishing, if that beneficiary is either visually impaired, physically disabled, or sixty-five years of age or older. There are several protections embedded in the process of using such a proxy license to prevent the system from being abused. Both the proxy and beneficiary must hold a valid hunting and/or fishing license and a copy of a completed proxy authorization form to be prescribed by the Commissioner.

Furthermore, a person may not be a proxy for more than one beneficiary at a time, and a proxy is subject to all the conditions and requirements that would apply to the beneficiary if the beneficiary personally hunted and/or fished. Lastly, the DEC is authorized by this legislation to promulgate all rules and regulations as may be necessary for implementation of this section.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None to the state.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the

addition, amendment, and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date is authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.