What's happening
This bill establishes a task force to recommend ways to improve access to New York's commercial marine fisheries.
Why it matters
Brings diverse voices to the table. By requiring the task force to include commercial and recreational fishing interests, as well as business representatives from counties bordering the marine district, the bill aims to ensure real-world experience and varied perspectives shape the recommendations.
Focuses on sustainability and economic viability. The task force is specifically charged with recommending ways to create a sustainable, economically viable commercial fishing industry—addressing both environmental and business concerns.
Seeks more local input and flexibility. The bill emphasizes giving local industry participants a greater voice in regulatory matters and calls for reviewing rules around licenses, permits, eligibility, and transferability, which could make it easier for new or smaller operators to participate in the industry.
Time-limited, action-driven approach. The task force must deliver a report to state leadership by the end of 2020, meaning recommendations for change could come quickly, but the task force and its authority will expire after a set time, ensuring focus and accountability.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Fisheries Access Task Force
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Print number 3820a
- Amend and recommit to environmental conservation
- 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.
Create Fisheries Task Force
In Assembly Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 3820--A A. 3144--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
January 27, 2017
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation -- recommitted to the Committee on Environmental Conservation in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation -- recommitted to the Committee on Environmental Conservation in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to establishing a commercial fisheries accessibility task force and providing for its powers and duties; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
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 13-0102 to read as follows: § 13-0102. Commercial fisheries accessibility task force.
1. Creation of commercial fisheries accessibility task force. (a) There is hereby established within the department a commercial fisheries accessibility task force, hereinafter "task force", to make recommendations on plans, policies, laws, regulations, and programs to improve access to the commercial marine fisheries.
(b) The task force shall consist of thirteen voting members. The chairperson of said task force shall be the commissioner of the department or his or her designee. Of the remaining twelve members, four shall be appointed by the governor, four shall be appointed by the majority
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04091-02-8
S. 3820--A 2 A. 3144--A
leader of the senate, and four shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly.
(c) Of the members appointed, all shall be residents of a county which borders the marine and coastal district. None of the appointed members shall be employees of the department. The task force shall be representative of individual and organized commercial and recreational shellfishing and finfishing interests in the state.
(d) At no time shall there be less than seven members of the task force who shall be representative of commercial fishing interests.
(e) Members may include, but shall be not limited to, baymen, commercial finfish fishermen or women, commercial shellfish fishermen or women, and New York fishing related business representatives.
(f) Persons designated or appointed to the task force shall have demonstrated a long-standing interest, knowledge and experience in commercial or recreational harvesting of marine resources.
(g) The task force shall meet no less than four times per year and at other times at the call of the chairperson.
(h) Any vacancies on the task force shall be filled in the manner provided for in the initial appointment.
(i) The task force shall be authorized to hold public hearings and meetings to enable it to accomplish its duties.
2. Report to the legislature. No later than December 31, 2020, the task force shall transmit to the governor, the majority leader of the senate and the speaker of the assembly a report containing recommendations to accomplish the following:
(a) Define a new framework for the management of New York's fisheries resources and New York's commercial fishing industry;
(b) Ensure a sustainable, economically viable commercial fishing industry;
(c) Provide for more local industry input on commercial fishing matters; and
(d) Regulatory and statutory changes related to commercial fishing efforts and licenses, permits, eligibility requirements, transferability, and requalifications in order to improve access to the commercial fishing industry.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed January 1, 2022.
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 establishing a commercial fisheries accessibility task force and providing for its powers and duties; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose
Establishes the Commercial Fisheries Accessibility Task Force.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. A new Section 13-0102 is added to the Environmental Conserva- tion Law to establish a Commercial Fisheries Accessibility Task Force and provide for its powers and duties.
Section 2. Immediate effective date and shall expire and deemed repealed January 1, 2022.
Justification
New York's commercial fishing industry is dying. Over regulation, anti- quated permit and license eligibility laws and regulations and quotas based on insufficient and old data have made commercial fishing in New York nearly impossible.
The importance of the commercial fishing industry to New York's history and economy cannot be overlooked. If New York State wants a viable commercial fishing industry, changes need to happen.
Legislative history
2015-16 S.4440A/A.6317A.
Fiscal implications
To be determined
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed January 1, 2022.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.