Relates to regulating the removal of turkeys and geese from a locality; requires the DEC to limit the number of permits authorizing the removal of turkeys and geese and requires the department to provide information related to humane alternatives to execution of such birds; prohibits the department from donating turkeys or geese for human consumption.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A8934
SPONSOR: Thiele
 
TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in
relation to regulating the removal of turkeys and geese from a locality
 
PURPOSE:
This bill regulates the means in which wild geese can be removed from a
locality using humane alternatives to execution.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new
section 11-0541 to read as follows:
§ 11-0541. Turkeys and Geese.
1. Prior to authorizing the removal of turkeys or geese from a locality
to be determined by the locality. At least 10 days before the hearing,
notice must be advertised in a newspaper published. in each county
affected. The notice will provide the subject of such hearing and the
proposed disposition of the turkeys or geese.
2. The department will strictly limit the number of permits issued for
the removal of turkeys and geese while also providing information offer-
ing humane alternatives to the execution of said turkeys and geese.
3. The department shall not donate turkeys or geese for human consump-
tion.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
 
EXISTING LAW:
Current state law does not include the above requirements.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
It is apparent that Canadian Geese are being seen in many neighborhoods
around the state. They have been encroaching on urban lands without any
fear of being harmed for the past 50 Years. Although these birds may be
a nuisance to some people, many people believe the general public should
be given an opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns prior to
removal of these birds. This bill simply put, does exactly that. People
are given an opportunity to go to a public hearing and voice their opin-
ions. The Department of Conservation will then, and only then, provide
the permits while also offering nonlethal alternatives that may perhaps
be used in the removal of these birds. Finally, although many sportsmen
hunt these birds for consumption, he/she will do it specifically for
consumption and on an individual basis. Besides the health issues that
may arise, this removal process is not intended for the same purpose.
Therefore the carcasses of any bird killed in this removal process will
not be allowed to be sold for human consumption.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
8934
IN ASSEMBLY
March 3, 2014
___________
Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to regu-
lating the removal of turkeys and geese from a locality
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a
2 new section 11-0541 to read as follows:
3 § 11-0541. Turkeys and geese.
4 1. Prior to authorizing the removal of turkeys or geese from a locali-
5 ty, the department shall hold a public hearing thereon in a place deter-
6 mined by the department in the locality affected. At least ten days
7 before the hearing, notice thereof shall be advertised in a newspaper
8 published in each county affected. The notice shall state the subject of
9 the hearing and the proposed disposition of the turkeys or geese.
10 2. The department shall strictly limit the number of permits authoriz-
11 ing the removal of turkeys or geese from a locality. The department
12 shall provide information offering humane alternatives to execution to
13 all applicants seeking permits to remove turkeys or geese from a locali-
14 ty.
15 3. The department shall not donate turkeys or geese to be used for
16 human consumption.
17 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13661-01-4