BILL NUMBER: S9355

SPONSOR: HELMING
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend chapter 152 of the laws of 2020 amending the environ-
mental conservation law relating to authorizing hunting big game by
rifle in the county of Tompkins, in relation to extending the effective-
ness thereof

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill would extend an authorization allowing the hunting of big game
through the use of a rifle in all of Tompkins County by two years.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of this bill would extend, until October 1, 2024, paragraph d
of section 5 of Chapter 152 of the laws of 2020, which authorizes the
hunting of big game by rifle in the county of Tompkins.

Section 2 of this bill provides that the bill shall take effect imme-
              

diately.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Tompkins County, by resolution, requested to be added to the list of
counties eligible to hunt big game with rifles. Since 2005, several
counties in the Finger Lakes Region, Central New York and the Southern
Tier have been permitted to hunt big game with rifles, with very few
reported incidents or problems. This bill would extend the authorization
for Tompkins County to be included in that list for a limited, two-year
period ending on October 1, 2024.

The continuation of a big game season and bag limits in Tompkins County
is necessary to continue evaluating how the law is working in the coun-
ty. Additionally, failure to extend the authorization by October 1,
2022, will disrupt wildlife management in Tompkins County.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

This is a new bill.

 
BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.