BILL NUMBER: S8644A
SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to elec-
tronic identification of hunting license holders and the tagging of deer
and bears
 
PURPOSE:
Requires that a person hold a license, tag or privilege in an electronic
or other acceptable format pursuant to regulations.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends Subparagraph 1 of paragraph a of subdivision 1, subdi-
vision 2 and subdivision 3 of section 11-0705 of the environmental
conservation law, as amended by section 21 of part R of chapter 58 of
the laws of 2013 to add that electronic forms of a hunter's license,
tag, or privilege
Section 2 amends Paragraphs a and b of subdivision 1 of section 11-0911
of the environmental conservation law, as added by section 8 of part D
of chapter 61 of the laws of 2000, to add that electronic tags for deer
and bear taken from the wild are an acceptable format.
Section 3 states the effective date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Many states allow hunters to carry a digital form of their hunting
license as acceptable proof of identification. With advancements in
cellular technology and security, digital licensing is becoming an
acceptable format for identification.
In New York state, a hunter must have their license visibly on their
person while engaged in any hunting activity. This legislation considers
the advancements in the online hunting licensing system, and provides
that an electronic license will be an acceptable format of identifica-
tion for a hunter to carry. The electronic hunting license will also be
an acceptable form of tag when taking deer or bear from the wild.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately. Provided that section two of
this act shall take effect August 1, 2025.