What's happening
This bill prohibits the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to aid in hunting or taking wildlife in New York.
Why it matters
Levels the playing field for hunters. by preventing the use of advanced technology (drones) that could give unfair advantages, making hunting more about skill and less about access to expensive equipment.
Protects wildlife from increased stress and harassment. , as drones can be used to track, chase, or drive animals, potentially disrupting their natural behaviors and habitats.
Addresses ethical and fair chase concerns. in hunting, supporting traditional hunting principles that emphasize respect for wildlife and the environment.
May reduce enforcement challenges and conflicts among hunters. , since drone use for scouting or locating animals can lead to disputes or overcrowding in hunting areas, and this law provides a clear standard.
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
Ban Drone-Assisted Hunting
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 4
No co-sponsors yet.
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.
Ban Drone-Assisted Hunting
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Steven Englebright
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
612
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 4, 2017
Introduced by Sen. BOYLE -- 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 prohibiting the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the course of hunting
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 11-0103 of the environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new subdivision 33 to read as follows:
33. "Unmanned aerial vehicle" means any aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.
§ 2. Section 11-0901 of the environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new subdivision 2-a to read as follows:
2-a. No person shall hunt or take wildlife with the aid of an unmanned aerial vehicle.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05401-01-7
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 prohibiting the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the course of hunting
Purpose or general idea of bill
To prohibit the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for hunting or taking of wildlife.
Summary of specific provisions
The bill defines the term "unmanned aerial vehicle" and prohibits the hunting or taking of wildlife with the aid of an unmanned aerial vehicle.
Justification
UAV hunting would allow hunters to use remote-controlled, camera-quipped aircraft to locate wildlife in order to shoot and kill them. Alaska enacted a ban after wildlife officials learned that a moose was killed by a hunter using a UAV. Colorado and Montana have outlawed this practice. In addition, Idaho and Wisconsin have included prohibitions into existing regulations. New Mexico, Vermont and Wyoming have pending rule-making petitions before their wildlife Commissions to ban this practice.
There is only anecdotal evidence of UAV's being used for hunting, but the national groups Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and the Humane Society of the United States both say they believe that enacting bans now are important to avoid problems later. Current federal aviation regulations do not allow for the commercial use of UAV's or drones, but national guidelines are under development. Federal regulators estimate that as many as 7,500 small commercial drones could be flying within five years.
Prior legislative history
Died in Environmental Education 2016.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
The bill would take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.