BILL NUMBER: S5835
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to waiv-
ing fishing, hunting and trapping license fees for certain first respon-
ders
 
PURPOSE:
This legislation would extend the fee exemption for hunting and fishing
licenses for veterans to certified first responders who are disabled as
a result of a certified World Trade Center medical condition.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends the opening paragraph of subdivision 2 of section
11-0715 of the environmental conservation law to extend the fee
exemption for hunting and fishing licenses for eligible individuals.
These include members of the Shinnecock or Poospatuck tribes or the Six
Nations residing on reservations within the state; active-duty U.S.
military personnel on leave for no more than 30 days; active members of
the New York State organized militia or U.S. armed forces reserves
(excluding inactive members); certified first responders disabled due to
a World Trade Center-related medical condition; and residents who are
blind, as legally defined by specific visual acuity and field of vision
limitations.
Section 2: Sets Effective Date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Each day, the number of deaths of first responders who participated in
World Trade Center rescue, recovery, and cleanup operations continue to
grow. Almost twenty-four years after the attacks on the World Trade
Center, over ten thousand first responders and others in the disaster
area have been diagnosed with cancer and other debilitating illnesses,
and more than 2,000 deaths have been related to 9/11 related illness.
Even for first responders still in good health, the fear of future
illness is constantly in their minds. However, these heroes still have
to focus on providing financially for their families and preparing for
the potential risk of developing illness as a result of their call to
serve on that fateful day. Exempting certified first responders who are
disabled due to their heroism in hunting and fishing license fees will
allow first responders and their families to enjoy New York's public
lands and wildlife without the financial cost of access.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Senate
2019: S5910, Referred to Environmental Conservation
2020: S5910, Referred to Environmental Conservation
2021: S788, Referred to Environmental Conservation
2022: S778, Referred to Environmental Conservation
2023: S5942A, Amend and Recommit to Environmental Conservation
2024: S5942A, Reported and Committed to Finance
Assembly
2019: No Assembly Same-As
2020: No Assembly Same-As
2021: A4600, Referred to Environmental Conservation
2022: A4600, Referred to Environmental Conservation
2023: A8180, Referred to Environmental Conservation
2024: A8180, Referred to Environmental Conservation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Minimal.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S5835: 11-0715 environmental conservation law, 11-0715(2) environmental conservation law