A03348 Summary:
BILL NO | A03348 |
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SAME AS | SAME AS S00870 |
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SPONSOR | Gunther |
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COSPNSR | Steck, Cook, Palmesano, Giglio JM, Barclay, Brabenec, Lemondes, Norris |
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MLTSPNSR | |
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Ren Art 20 to be Art 21, add Art 20 §1, Constn | |
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Relates to the right to hunt, trap and fish; provides for regulation by the state. |
A03348 Memo:
Go to topNEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION
submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)   BILL NUMBER: A3348 SPONSOR: Gunther
  TITLE OF BILL: CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to the constitution, in relation to the right to hunt, trap and fish   PURPOSE: This proposed constitutional amendment would provide within the New York State Constitution for a right of the people to hunt, trap and fish.   SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:. A new Article Twenty would be added to the state constitution to ensure the right of the law-abiding citizen to hunt, trap and fish subject to reasonable regulation by the state.   JUSTIFICATION: The roots of hunting, fishing and trapping go deep into the soil of our American experience. A way of life to Native Americans and European settlers and sources of food and commerce, they have since matured beyond their subsistence origins to become revered outdoor pastimes enjoyed by 1.7 million New Yorkers and visitors for the pleasure, chal- lenge, companionship, food and additional income that our outdoor sport- ing traditions provide. New York's outdoor sporting traditions have a significant impact on New York's economy as well: According to the 1996 National Survey of Fish- ing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation conducted by the U.S. departments of Interior and Commerce, recreational anglers and hunters spent more than $2.5 billion in pursuit of their pastimes in New York in 1996. New York hunters and anglers annually spend millions of dollars for goods and services provided by businesses located throughout the state. Apart from the cost of their sporting licenses, outdoorsmen's expenditures support jobs, generate sales and income taxes, and are integral parts of the tourism industry. Hunters and anglers come from all over the United States to fish legendary Catskill and Adirondack streams and enjoy the thrill of the ruffed grouse flushing in our many forests and state wildlife management areas. Sportsmen spend money for equipment, bait and tackle, hotels and motels, restaurants, lodges and camps, grocery and hardware stores, vehicles, boats, fuel and guide services. The survey found that these expenditures and their associated economic impact supported 43,000 jobs and generated $100 million in state sales taxes and $32 million in state income taxes in New York State in 1996. New York has invested considerable sums of tax dollars in the acquisi- tion of land for outdoor recreation, including canoeing, kayaking and hiking, fishing rights, and hunting. Habitat restoration projects, fund- ed by the state, are designed in part to enhance fish spawning and the proliferation of game species. Because of the public dollars and license fees that have supported game reintroductions and habitat improvements, the increasing suburbanization of the state, continued loss of open and wild areas, the distance between the population and our subsistence roots, and their foundation in our culture and history, particularly in our rural areas, the time honored and respected pastimes of hunting, fishing and trapping should be recognized in our constitution as rights of the people.   LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 2021-22: A239 referred to Environmental Conservation/S3616 referred to Judiciary 2019-20: A3701 referred to Environmental Conservation/S688 referred to Judiciary 2017-18: A534 referred to Environmental Conservation/S1153 referred to Judiciary 2015-16: A1159 referred to Environmental Conservation/57751 Passed Senate 2013-14: A1704 referred to Environmental Conservation/S3049 referred to Judiciary 2011-12: A6864A referred to Environmental Conservation/S2382A passed Senate 2009-10: 53049 referred to Judiciary 2007-08: 52639 committed to Rules 2005-06: A2047 referred to Environmental Conservation/S158 committed to Rules 2003-04: A1531A referred to Environmental Conservation/S1771 referred to Judiciary 2001-02: A11232 referred to Environmental Conservation/S7088 referred to Judiciary   FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None.   EFFECTIVE DATE: RESOLVED (if theconcur), That the foregoing amendments be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeed- ing general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
A03348 Text:
Go to top STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 3348 2023-2024 Regular Sessions IN ASSEMBLY February 2, 2023 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. GUNTHER, STECK, COOK, PALMESANO, J. M. GIGLIO, BARCLAY, BRABENEC, LEMONDES, NORRIS -- read once and referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to the constitution, in relation to the right to hunt, trap and fish 1 Section 1. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That article 20 of the 2 constitution be renumbered article 21 and a new article 20 be added to 3 read as follows: 4 ARTICLE XX 5 Right to Hunt, Trap and Fish 6 Section 1. Hunting, trapping, and fishing and the taking of wild 7 animals, birds and fish are a valued part of our heritage and will be 8 forever preserved for the people. Fish and wildlife shall be managed by 9 state laws and regulations that provide persons with the continued 10 opportunity to take, by traditional means and methods, species tradi- 11 tionally pursued by hunters, anglers and trappers. Fish and wildlife 12 management, including taking, shall be consistent with the state's duty 13 to protect this heritage and its duty to conserve wild animals, birds, 14 and fish, and shall be subject to reasonable regulation as prescribed by 15 state statute. 16 § 2. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing amendment be 17 referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the 18 next succeeding general election of members of the Assembly, and, in 19 conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be 20 published for 3 months previous to the time of such election. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD89037-01-3