What's happening
This bill extends the authorization to hunt big game with rifles in Albany County until 2028.
Why it matters
Impacts Albany County hunters and landowners. , allowing continued use of rifles for big game hunting—potentially affecting both sporting opportunities and safety/regulation concerns in this specific region.
Represents a temporary extension rather than a permanent change. , signaling ongoing debate or review about the use of rifles versus other hunting methods in the county; state lawmakers may revisit the issue again in 2028.
Affects local wildlife management and public safety policy. , as rifle hunting can influence deer populations, hunting practices, and may require continued coordination with law enforcement and environmental officials in Albany County.
Albany, before your first meeting.
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Who cares
Hunters and Hunting Organizations
Care because the extension allows continued use of rifles for hunting big game in Albany County, impacting their hunting practices and opportunities.
Albany County Landowners and Residents
Care due to safety, noise, and land use concerns related to ongoing rifle hunting in their communities.
Environmental and Wildlife Conservation Groups
Care because the legislation affects local wildlife management, population control, and conservation efforts.
Local Law Enforcement and Public Safety Officials
Care as they are responsible for enforcing hunting regulations and ensuring public safety during extended rifle hunting seasons.
Headline styles
Extend Big Game Hunting
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A11464
- Ordered to third reading cal.1442
- 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.
Extend Albany Rifle Hunting
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Gabriella Romero
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
10542
IN SENATE
May 19, 2026
Introduced by Sen. FAHY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend chapter 141 of the laws of 2014 amending the environmental conservation law relating to authorizing the hunting of big game in the county of Albany with rifles, in relation to the effectiveness thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision (c) of section 3 of chapter 141 of the laws of 2014 amending the environmental conservation law relating to authorizing the hunting of big game in the county of Albany with rifles, as amended by chapter 258 of the laws of 2024, is amended to read as follows:
(c) nothing contained in this act shall be construed so as to extend the provisions of this act beyond October 1, [2026] 2028, when upon such date this act shall expire and the provisions contained herein shall be deemed repealed.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15953-01-6
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend chapter 141 of the laws of 2014 amending the environ- mental conservation law relating to authorizing the hunting of big game in the county of Albany with rifles, in relation to the effectiveness thereof
Purpose
To extend the effectiveness of authorizing big game hunting in Albany County.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of this bill would amend subdivision (c) of section 3 of chap- ter 141 of the laws of 2014 to extend the provisions of the act until October 1, 2028, upon which date the act shall expire.
Section 2 of this bill provides that the bill shall take effect imme- diately.
Justification
This legislation extends the authorization to allow for hunting big game in Albany County with rifles in all areas of the county except Wildlife Management Unit 4J, which is archery-only and encompasses the City of Albany and adjacent populated and suburban areas.
Legislative history
2024: Chapter 258 (S.9737/A.10133)
2021: Chapter 119 (A.6389/S.5725)
2018: Chapter 160 (S.8162/A.10342)
2014: Chapter 141
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.