What's happening
This bill allows both recreational and commercial spearfishing in New York's marine and coastal waters, including for striped bass.
Why it matters
Expands spearfishing opportunities. By allowing both recreational and commercial spearfishing, the bill could increase participation in this method of fishing, potentially diversifying the fishing economy and giving more options to fishers.
Includes sought-after species. The explicit inclusion of striped bass—a highly regulated and popular game fish—may attract more anglers but could also raise concerns about fish population management and conservation.
Alters coastal regulations. The new language permits spearfishing in areas previously restricted, except within 100 yards of public bathing areas, which could impact local ecosystems, tourism, and public safety.
Potential regulatory and enforcement challenges. With expanded legal spearfishing, state agencies may need to update enforcement practices and monitoring to ensure sustainable fish populations and compliance with existing conservation goals.
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
Legalize Spearfishing for Bass
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
1 Multi-sponsor
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.
Allow Spears for Bass Fishing
In Senate Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Kenneth P. LaValle
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 3713 A. 5506
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
February 13, 2019
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. FITZPATRICK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to recreational and commercial spearfishing in New York's marine and coastal waters
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph c of subdivision 1 of section 11-1301 of the environmental conservation law, as added by chapter 435 of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:
c. Except as otherwise prohibited by law, fish may be taken by spear or speargun in the marine and coastal district [only] for recreational and commercial purposes. A speargun must be submerged when used to take fish. Provided, however, that no food fish may be taken by spear or speargun within one hundred yards of a public bathing area.
§ 2. Section 13-0347 of the environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new subdivision 5 to read as follows:
5. Striped bass may be taken in New York's marine and coastal district for all purposes by use of a spear or speargun as defined by paragraph f of subdivision one of section 11-0103 of this chapter.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately, provided, however, that the amendments to paragraph c of subdivision 1 of section 11-1301 of the environmental conservation law made by section one of this act shall not affect the repeal of such paragraph and shall be deemed repealed therewith.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03215-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.