What's happening
This bill requires the environmental conservation commissioner to create gift cards for hunting and fishing licenses in New York.
Why it matters
Expands access and flexibility. By offering hunting and fishing licenses as gift cards, the bill makes it easier for people to buy licenses for others, potentially increasing participation in these outdoor activities.
Modernizes state services. The move to gift cards aligns New York's licensing with common retail practices, making the process more consumer-friendly and potentially attracting younger or tech-savvy participants.
Potential revenue boost for conservation. Greater accessibility and giftability could lead to increased sales of licenses, generating more funds for wildlife management and conservation efforts funded by these fees.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Hunting License Gift Cards
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 39
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Substituted by A2050
- Ordered to third reading cal.1609
- 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.
Hunting, Fishing License Gift Cards
Vetoed · Sponsor Aileen Gunther
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5547
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 6, 2019
Introduced by Sens. SKOUFIS, RITCHIE -- 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 directing the commissioner of environmental conservation to create gift cards for hunting and fishing licenses
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 11-0706 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by section 22 of part R of chapter 58 of the laws of 2013, is amended to read as follows: § 11-0706. Gift cards for hunting and fishing licenses.
1. The commissioner [is authorized to establish] shall promulgate rules and regulations establishing gift cards for the licenses and bowhunting and muzzle-loading privileges set forth in section 11-0701 of this title.
2. For the purposes of this title, the term "gift card" shall mean a restricted monetary equivalent or voucher that, when redeemed by the holder, entitles such person to a valid license or bowhunting and/or muzzle-loading privilege as set forth in section 11-0701 of this title.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00904-01-9
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 directing the commissioner of environmental conservation to create gift cards for hunting and fishing licenses
Purpose
To require the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conserva- tion (DEC) to promulgate rules and regulations establishing gift cards for hunting and fishing licenses in New York State.
Summary of provisions
Section one amends section 11-0706 of the environmental conservation law to require the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conserva- tion (DEC) to promulgate rules and regulations establishing gift cards for New York State hunting and fishing licenses.
Section two is the effective date.
Existing law
The state budget for fiscal year 2012-2013 authorized the commissioner to establish gift cards for hunting and fishing, however no gift cards have been made since this became law.
Justification
This legislation requires the Commissioner of the Department of Environ- mental Conservation to promulgate rules and regulations establishing gift cards for hunting and fishing licenses in New York State. Similar gift cards, used for camping and entrance into state parks, already exist. Like those programs, hunting and fishing license gift cards will promote the industry and generate revenue for the state.
Current gift card programs are thriving. Gift cards for camping permits, offered by the Office of Parks, may be used for anything from golf reservations and greens fees to the purchase of firewood or boat rentals, as well as camping site reservations. These camping permit gift cards, as well as Empire Passports, which provide free entrance into state parks, are advertised for sale on the web site for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
In 2013, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) began to issue their own gift cards that can be used for camping at all New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Facili- ties. These gifts cards are similar to those offered by the Office of Parks, but they carry their own restrictions as imposed by the DEC and are only for use at DEC facilities.
Following the precedent set by both the Office of Parks and the DEC, this legislation seeks to expand the sale of recreational gift cards. Hunting and fishing are recreations very similar to those activities currently receiving gift cards and licenses for these activities should be made available through the purchase of gift cards. This legislation will achieve that goal and should be passed.
Legislative history
2017-2018: A.723 reported to Ways & Means/S.754 referred to Environ- mental Conservation 2015-2016: A.7467 reported to Ways & Means/S.3106 Passed Senate 2013-2014: A.1627-A/S.6575 - Veto 529
Fiscal implications
Potential for increased revenue.
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.