What's happening
This bill establishes misdemeanor penalties, including fines and possible jail time, for violating certain hunting, trapping, or fishing license suspensions or revocations.
Why it matters
Strengthens enforcement of wildlife license suspensions. By making violations of certain hunting, trapping, or fishing license suspensions a misdemeanor, the bill gives law enforcement more substantial tools to deter and penalize repeat or egregious offenders, potentially leading to better compliance with conservation laws.
Potentially impacts individuals with prior violations. Those who have had their licenses suspended or revoked and continue to engage in these activities face not just administrative penalties but now also the risk of criminal charges, fines, and even jail time, creating stronger consequences.
Supports wildlife conservation efforts. Enhanced penalties may help reduce illegal hunting, trapping, or fishing during suspension periods, which could contribute to healthier wildlife populations and more sustainable management of natural resources.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Tougher Penalties for License Violations
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Signed chap.532
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.685
- Substituted for A6219A
- Referred to codes
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1656
- Referred to rules
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.
Stricter Wildlife License Penalties
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Sean Ryan
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6557
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 16, 2019
Introduced by Sen. GALLIVAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to certain misdemeanors involving the revocation and suspension of hunting, trapping or fishing licenses
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 71-0921 of the environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new subdivision 14 to read as follows:
14. Violation of subparagraph one, two or four of paragraph b of subdivision one of section 11-0719 of this chapter involving the revocation and suspension of hunting, trapping, or fishing licenses. Each such misdemeanor shall be punishable by imprisonment for not more than ninety days, or by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, or by both such imprisonment and fine.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02947-06-9
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 certain misdemeanors involving the revocation and suspension of hunting, trapping or fishing licenses
Purpose
In the event of the revocation or suspension of hunting, trapping and fishing licenses, the purpose is to prevent further hunting, trapping and fishing by making the violation a misdemeanor.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends the environmental conservation law, section 71-0921 by adding a new subsection 14.
Section 2 of the bill provides the effective date.
Justification
Hunting, trapping, and fishing while in possession of a revoked or suspended license is currently a violation under the environmental conservation law. Unfortunately, there have been instances where, former license holders continue to perform said practice in direct conflict not only of the law but also of the ethical standards proudly adhered to by many in the sportsmen and sportswomen's community.
Circumstances where a hunter or trapper may have their license suspended and/or revoked include, but are not limited to, causing death or injury to a person; negligently discharging a weapon when such discharge endan- gers the life or safety of another or destroys or damages public or private property; taking of deer or bear with the aid of artificial light; or the illegal taking of a deer, moose, or bear.
In establishing the aforementioned violations as a misdemeanor offense, this bill aims to stymie such illegal activities going forward.
Legislative history
2017-18: S.6911/A.9049 Advanced to 3rd reading/Reported to Codes
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the 180th day.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.