Senate Bill S7358

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S7358

 TITLE OF BILL :
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
providing that persons participating in a non-commercial fishing class
or clinic sponsored by a school or university are exempt from fishing
license requirements


 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :
The purpose of this bill is to complement the curriculum one
participates in when learning the sport of fishing. It will allow
students of those clinics to not only learn the fundamentals of the
sport but also enable them to acquire hands on experience prior to
applying for a license.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :
The bill amends the provisions of Section 11-0707 of the Environmental
conservation law by adding a new subdivision 10. The new subdivision
reads "Persons participating in a non-commercial fishing class or
clinic sponsored by a school or university may take fish and frogs as
if they held fishing licenses except that they may not take bait fish
by net or trap". The new section is effective immediately.

 JUSTIFICATION :
Schools and Universities around New York State hold many different
              

classes and clinics educating those interested in learning the sport
of fishing. This type of education helps to build a proper foundation
of fundamentals involved in participating in the sport. Currently,
anyone aged 16 and older is required to hold a valid New York State
fishing license.  This means that those enrolled in the classes and
clinics that do not hold a valid license are not permitted to actually
participate in the sport.

By not allowing those learning the fundamentals of the sport to
actually participate in it without a license, students aren't
receiving the full benefit of education. This would be like enrolling
in a Driver's Education course that was solely based in the classroom.
A teacher can explain how to shift gears and when to use turn signals,
but one cannot fully understand the concept until sitting behind the
wheel of a car.  Because new drivers are required to hold only their
driver's permit when enrolled in a driving course, they are able to
get the hands on experience needed for when they apply for their
actual license.

This bill would create a "temporary" situation for those interested in
acquiring their fishing license but who do not have the education or
background to do so. The classes and clinics can be thought of as a
type of "permit" enabling those enrolled in them to go out and
practice what is taught to them in the classroom. There is no negative
impact on New York State as it is expected that those enrolled in the
courses would, after completion, apply for and buy their own fishing
licenses.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
New Bill.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS :
This bill is expected to have an overall positive fiscal impact both
on the state and local levels. On the state level, it would prompt
those who completed the classes to go ahead and buy their official New
York State fishing license. On the local level, the bill would prompt
those with newly acquired fishing licenses to purchase the equipment
needed for the sport from both large and small businesses in their
area. The bill may also result in an overall increase of tourism

throughout New York State, especially in areas that may not experience
large amounts of tourism, if any at all.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
Immediately.