What's happening
This bill requires New York to allow handicapped individuals special ATV access to designated hunting and fishing grounds on state land.
Why it matters
Expands outdoor recreation access. By allowing individuals with state-issued handicapped parking permits to use ATVs on certain state lands, the bill helps remove physical barriers that often prevent disabled or mobility-impaired people from participating in hunting and fishing activities.
Mandates regulatory action. The legislation requires the Department of Environmental Conservation to create and implement specific rules, ensuring the policy is put into practice rather than simply being a symbolic gesture.
Promotes equity and inclusion. The bill addresses longstanding disparities in public land access, signaling that New York is committed to making outdoor spaces more inclusive for all residents, regardless of physical ability.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Access for Disabled Hunters, Fishers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- 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.
Access for Disabled Hunters, Fishers
In Assembly Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Aileen Gunther
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1467
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 9, 2017
Introduced by Sens. RITCHIE, BONACIC, SEWARD -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to authorizing special access to hunting and fishing grounds on state land for handicapped individuals
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new section 11-0115 to read as follows: § 11-0115. Handicapped access for hunting and fishing grounds on state
land.
The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations authorizing special access to hunting and fishing grounds on state lands for individuals who have been issued handicapped parking permits pursuant to section twelve hundred three-a of the vehicle and traffic law. Such rules and regulations shall include, but not be limited to allowing access to certain designated hunting and fishing grounds on state lands by ATV as such term is defined by section twenty-four hundred one of the vehicle and traffic law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02597-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to authorizing special access to hunting and fishing grounds on state land for handicapped individuals
Purpose
To authorize handicapped people access to hunting and fishing grounds on state land.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends the Environmental Conservation Law by adding a new section 11-0115 to allow handicapped individuals access to hunting and fishing grounds on state land.
Section 2 provides the effective date.
Justification
Often, physically handicapped individuals have difficulty in reaching hunting and fishing destinations. This legislation authorizes special access for individuals who have been issued handicapped parking permits pursuant to section twelve hundred three-a of the vehicle and traffic law. The commissioner will authorize special access for hunting and fishing grounds on state lands and promulgate certain rules and regulations related to this access.These rules must include permission to access designated grounds by ATV, as defined by section twenty-four hundred one of the Vehicle and Traffic Law. Better access to fishing and hunting opportunities to a diverse community is important and improved access will enhance the lives of physically handicapped hunters and fishers. Ultimately, this legislation will increase the number of participating sportsmen and contribute to our state's culture and economy.
Legislative history
2011-2012: 5.5230 referred to environmental conservation / A.9185 referred to environmental conservation 2013-2014: S. 1949 referred to environmental conservation / A.1716 referred to environmental conservation 2015-2016: 5.2533 referred to environmental conservation/A.803 Referred to environmental conservation.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.