BILL NUMBER: S8304
SPONSOR: OBERACKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
falconry
 
PURPOSE:
Amends the definition of raptors to include lawfully acquired Golden
Eagles and Peregrine Falcons and their progeny.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends subdivision 1 of section 11-1001 of the Environmental
Conservation Law to include lawfully acquired golden eagles, peregrine
falcons and their progeny within the definition of raptors for the
purpose of falconry.
Section 2: Effective date.
 
EXISTING LAW:
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Current law prohibits the use of birds listed on the New York State
"endangered species" list or "threatened species" list from being
involved in the hunting practice of falconry. Currently, the Golden
Eagle and the Peregrine Falcon are on the New York State Endangered
Species list. However, neither species is listed on the Federal Endan-
gered Species List, and several states allow for their lawful acquisi-
tion. Thus, even though they may be lawfully acquired elsewhere and
brought into New York for use in falconry, these birds would be current-
ly ineligible for use in falconry in New York State.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S.998 of 2017: Passed Senate, Died in Assembly Environmental Conserva-
tion
S.1599 of 2016: Died in Senate Environmental Conservation, Died in
Assembly Environmental Conservation
S.1599 of 2015: Passed Senate, Died in Assembly Environmental Conserva-
tion
S.2039 of 2014: Passed Senate, Died in Assembly Environmental Conserva-
tion
S.2039 of 2013: Passed Senate, Died in Assembly Environmental Conserva-
tion
S.4842-B of 2012: Died in Senate Environmental Conservation, Died in
Assembly Environmental Conservation
S.4842-A of 2011: Died in Senate Environmental Conservation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None