BILL NUMBER: S4289
SPONSOR: HOYLMAN-SIGAL
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
extending certain provisions relating to the department of environmental
conservation's regulation of crabs, and to prohibiting the taking of
horseshoe crabs for commercial and biomedical purposes
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill would extend until December 31, 2027, the ability
for the department of environmental conservation to fix by regulation
measures for the management of crabs of any kind.
Section 2 of the bill prohibits the taking of horseshoe crabs, including
for commercial and biomedical purposes and authorizes the commissioner,
through rules and regulations, to allow the taking of horseshoe crabs
for education and scientific purposes.
Section 3 of the bill establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Horseshoe crabs have existed largely unchanged on Earth for over 400
million years. They are an integral part of the marine ecosystem; their
eggs are consumed by other animal species and they supply the energy
migratory shorebirds require, particularly the threatened Red Knot. The
horseshoe crab's unique ecological role is imperiled by their declining
population due to overharvesting for use as bait and for use of their
blood by the biomedical industry. In order for their population to grow,
New York must join neighboring coastal states in prohibiting the taking
of this ancient species.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S.3185A/A.10140 of 2023-2024 (Hoylman-Sigal/Glick): Passed both houses,
Vetoed, Memo. 112
S.684 of 2021-2022 (Hoylman): Died in Environmental Conservation
S.0048A of 2019-2020 (Hoylman): Died in Environmental Conservation
S.0048 of 2020 (Hoylman) Amended (T) and recommitted to Environmental
Conservation
S.0048 of 2019 (Hoylman): Died in Environmental Conservation
S.0062 of 2017-2018 (Hoylman): Died in Environmental Conservation
S.4832-A of 2015-16(Hoylman): Died in Environmental Conservation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that the
provisions of section two of this act shall take effect January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S4289: 13-0331 environmental conservation law, 13-0331(7) environmental conservation law