Senate Passes Funke Bill to Waive Fishing Licenses for Active Duty Military on Leave

The New York State Senate today passed S.3029, a bill sponsored by Senator Rich Funke to exempt members of the US armed forces who are on active duty military leave from requirements for fishing licenses and associated fees. 

“Our service men and women sacrifice a great deal to defend our way of life and the least we can do to show our thanks is help them enjoy the great outdoors freely when visiting New York on leave,” said Funke. “From Lake Ontario, to Canandaigua Lake, to Irondequoit Bay, to the Erie Canal, the 55th District is home to some of the best fishing anywhere, and my hope is that this bill will help our military personnel enjoy some well-deserved time away out on the water.” 

Currently, an active service member of the United States armed forces visiting family in New York State while on leave or furlough cannot fish without first obtaining an out-of-state fishing license. Active service members are therefore limited in the time they get to spend on leave and further limited by licensing requirements required to fish while visiting New York. Funke’s bill will allow these active service members to fish freely as if they held a fishing license. 

The bill is also being carried in the New York State Assembly by Assemblyman John D. Ceretto (R-I, Lewiston), where it was most recently referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation. A copy of the bill language is attached. 

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