What's happening
This bill expands the definition of raptors for falconry to include lawfully acquired golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and their progeny.
Why it matters
Expanding the species available for falconry. gives licensed falconers access to a broader range of birds, including golden eagles and peregrine falcons, which can enhance training and hunting opportunities and may appeal to more experienced practitioners.
Allowing use of lawfully acquired birds and their progeny. helps align state law with federal regulations and modern falconry practices, potentially reducing legal ambiguity for falconers and wildlife authorities.
Potential conservation and ethical implications. arise, as these species—especially golden eagles and peregrine falcons—have historically been protected due to declining populations. The bill could prompt closer scrutiny of sourcing, breeding, and the impact on wild populations.
Clarifies and modernizes state wildlife law. by updating outdated exceptions and references, making it easier for regulators and falconers to interpret and follow the law.
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
Allow Peregrine Falcons for Falconry
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 42
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.66
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 49–12
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
Show 2 earlier actions
- 1st report cal.856
- 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.
Allow Falcons for Falconry
In Assembly Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Thomas Abinanti
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
998
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 6, 2017
Introduced by Sen. BONACIC -- 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 falconry
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 11-1001 of the environmental conservation law, as added by chapter 825 of the laws of 1973, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 325 of the laws of 1989, is amended to read as follows: § 11-1001. Definitions.
(1) "Raptors" means all species of the orders Strigiformes and Falconiformes and shall include but not be limited to falcons, hawks, owls and eagles except the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetor) and bald eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus) and all birds listed as endangered or threatened pursuant to section 11-0535 of this article. However, [properly banded peregrine falcons which are the progeny of birds lawfully acquired prior to 1978 are] lawfully acquired golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and their progeny are raptors within the meaning of this section.
(2) "Falconry" means the sport of hunting by the use of trained raptors and includes the training, feeding and handling of such birds and their recapture after being released for hunting or training.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03311-02-7
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 falconry
Purpose or general idea of bill
Amends the definition of raptors to include lawfully acquired Golden Eagles and Peregrine Falcons and their progeny.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: Amends subdivision 1 of section 11-1001 of the Environmental Conservation Law to include lawfully acquired golden eagles, peregrine falcons and their progeny within the definition of raptors for the purpose of falconry.
Section 2: Effective date.
Justification
Current law prohibits the use of birds listed on the New York State "endangered species" list or "threatened species" list from being involved in the hunting practice of falconry. Currently, the Golden Eagle and the Peregrine Falcon are on the New York State Endangered Species list. However, neither species is listed on the Federal Endangered Species List, and several states allow for their lawful acquisition. Thus, even though they may be lawfully acquired elsewhere and brought into New York for use in falconry, these birds would be currently ineligible for use in falconry in New York State.
Prior legislative history
S.1599 of 2016: Died in Senate Environmental Conservation, Died in Assembly Environmental Conservation S.1599 of 2015: Passed Senate, Died in Assembly Environmental Conservation S.2039 of 2014: Passed Senate, Died in Assembly Environmental Conservation S.2039 of 2013: Passed Senate, Died in Assembly Environmental Conservation S.4842-B of 2012: Died in Senate Environmental Conservation, Died in Assembly Environmental Conservation S.4842-A of 2011: Died in Senate 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.