What's happening
This bill allows the Department of Environmental Conservation to reissue expired commercial fishing permits to Todd Wolffert due to illness.
Why it matters
Sets a precedent for exceptions to licensing rules. Allowing a lapsed commercial fishing license to be reinstated due to illness creates a model for how the state can handle similar hardship cases, potentially benefiting other workers facing unexpected health crises.
Recognizes the impact of serious illness on livelihoods. By specifically addressing the lapse due to a terminal illness (from which the individual has recovered), the bill acknowledges the real-world challenges faced by small business owners and independent workers when health issues intervene.
Limits public financial responsibility. The bill requires the individual, not the state, to cover all costs of reinstating the licenses, ensuring that the policy change does not place an additional burden on taxpayers.
Targets relief to a specific individual, not a broad group. While the bill helps only Todd Wolffert, it highlights the lack of flexibility in current law and may prompt broader discussions about fair treatment for others in similar situations.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Reissue Fishing Licenses to Wolffert
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 4
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1614
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- 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.
Reissue Fishing Licenses to Fisherman
In Assembly Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Christine Pellegrino
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8624
IN SENATE
May 10, 2018
Introduced by Sen. BOYLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT authorizing the department of environmental conservation to reissue a commercial food fish license, commercial crab permit, and commercial whelk permit to Todd Wolffert
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, rule or regulation to the contrary, the department of environmental conservation is hereby authorized to reissue the commercial food fish license obtained pursuant to sections 13-0328 and 13-0335 of the environmental conservation law, the commercial crab permit provided for by section 13-0331 of such law, and the commercial whelk permit provided for by section 13-0330 of such law to Todd Wolffert, West Islip, New York, who, for reasons not ascribable to his own negligence, let his commercial food fish license, commercial crab permit, and commercial whelk permit lapse in 2015 after being diagnosed with a terminal illness, which he has since recovered from and who has attempted to recover such license and permits.
§ 2. All costs associated with implementing the provisions of this act shall be borne by Todd Wolffert.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15855-01-8
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act authorizing the department of environmental conservation to reissue a commercial food fish license, commercial crab permit, and commercial whelk permit to Todd Wolffert
Purpose or general idea of bill
To reissue Todd Wolffert a commercial food fish license, commercial crab permit, and commercial whelk permit.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, rule or regu- lation to the contrary, the department of environmental conservation is hereby authorized to reissue the commercial food fish license obtained pursuant to sections 13-0328 and 13-0335 of the environmental conserva- tion law, the commercial crab permit provided for by section13-0331 of such law, and the commercial whelk permit provided for by section 13-0330 of such law to Todd Wolffert, West Islip, New York, who, for reasons not ascribable to his own negligence, let his commercial food fish license, commercial crab permit, and commercial whelk permit lapse in 2015 after being diagnosed with a terminal illness, which he has since recovered from and who has attempted to recover such license and permits.
Section 2. All costs associated with implementing the provisions of this act shall be borne by Todd Wolffert.
Section 3. Effective date.
Justification
In 2014, Mr. Wolffert became ill and was told by his doctor that his condition was terminal and that he should get his affairs in order. During the time of his illness, his commercial fishing licenses were allowed to lapse due to his diagnosis/prognosis. Since then, Mr. Wolf- fert has recovered and he would like to get his commercial fishing licenses back.
Had he not let his commercial fish food license, commercial crab permit and commercial whelk permit lapse, Mr. Wolffert would have been able to renew them each year. Although Mr. Wolffert can reapply for his commer- cial food fish license and whelk permit on January 1, 2019, issuance without an existing license or permit is done by lottery (random selection) and there is no assurance that he will be able to be reissued the commercial food fish license and the commercial whelk permit. The commercial crab permit, which could have been renewed had it not lapsed, currently is under moratorium and new licenses are not being issued. Mr. Wolffert began fishing on Long Island as a child and had commercial fishing licenses as far back as 1999 until his illness. The department of environmental conservation is unable to make allowances to reissue this commercial food fish license and the commercial crab and whelk permits to Mr. Wolffert under these unfortunate circumstances. There is a limited number of commercial fishing licenses and permits issued to preserve and maintain the fisheries and therefore this legislation is required.
Prior legislative history
None.
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.