BILL NUMBER: S9319
SPONSOR: THOMAS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
extending the authority of the department of environmental conservation
to manage scallops
 
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to extend the authority of the Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC) to manage scallops.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of this bill amends Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) §
13-0327 to extend, until December 31, 2027, DEC's authority to fix by
regulation measures for the management of scallops (Family Pectinidae).
Section 2 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
DEC's regulatory authority for scallops is necessary in order to protect
these fisheries for the benefit of those who rely on them for recre-
ational opportunities and income, and to maintain the sustainability of
these fisheries so that they are available for future generations.
This bill would extend DEC's regulatory authority to ensure that DEC
continues to be able to regulate seasons, size/catch limits, and taking
of scallops.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
DEC's regulatory authority was last extended by Chapter 262 of the Laws
of 2021.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S9319: 13-0327 environmental conservation law