Albany, NY – Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni today announced the introduction of legislation that would provide immediate relief to commercial fishermen at the fuel pump by providing fuel tax exemptions for operators of commercial fishing vessels.

This legislation would seek parity for the fuel tax exemption in New York State among the agricultural and commercial fishing industries. Unlike farmers, commercial fisherman must front the entire cost of filling up with their vessel with expensive diesel fuel and then file with the Department of Taxation (DTF) for a refund. Commercial fishermen each purchase up to 10,000 gallons of gas over the course of a year, forcing fishermen to pay thousands of dollars just to travel to and from the fishing grounds.

Current statute provides relief for commercial fishermen only from sale and use tax when purchasing fuel and supplies if they claim a refund with the DTF. This refund process can take months to process, while farmers and commercial horse boarding operators can seek immediate and additional relief by applying for a state tax exemption certificate. This legislation would provide access to the commercial fishing industry for these same benefits.

Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni said: “Since taking office, I have met with and had several conversations with commercial fishermen and industry leaders across the First Assembly District and New York State. Among many other factors, the amount of fuel tax spent by commercial fishermen in New York forces many fishermen to do business in other states where diesel and supplies cost less, ultimately taking away from Long Island’s blue economy. The affordability crisis is hitting hard for everyone, and while the Administration wages a war in the Middle East, fuel prices continue to rise, forcing fishermen to pay even more than they should just to go to work. I am dedicated to working with my colleagues in the Legislature and with state agencies to discuss how New York State can commit to reform and reinvestment in the fishing industry, and this is a critical step forward.