BILL NUMBER:S5161

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to directing the
commissioner of environmental conservation to create gift cards for
hunting and fishing licenses

PURPOSE:
To allow for the purchase of gift cards for hunting and fishing licenses
in New York state.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends the environmental conservation law to add a new
section 11-0706 to require the commissioner of the department of
environmental conservation to promulgate rules and regulations allowing
for the sale of gift cards for New York state hunting and fishing
licenses.

Section two of the bill is the effective date.

JUSTIFICATION:
This bill requires the commissioner of environmental conservation to
promulgate rules and regulations so that gift cards may be sold in the
state for hunting and fishing licenses. Allowing for the purchase of
gift cards for such licenses encourages their sale and may increase
              

revenue for the state.

Similar gift cards are already allowed in the state for camping permits
and Empire passports which are used for entrance into New York state
parks. Gift cards for camping permits may be used for anything from golf
reservations and greens fees to the purchase of firewood or boat
rentals, in addition to reserving camping sites. Gift cards for camping
as well as the Empire Passport are even advertised for sale on the web
site for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation.

Thus there is a precedent set within the state to allow for the sale of
recreational gift cards. Hunting and fishing are similar recreational
activities and the licenses for these activities should be made more
available through the purchase of gift cards,

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None. This is a new bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Potential increased revenues to the state from the sale of gift cards
for hunting and fishing licenses

EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately.