BILL NUMBER:S6574

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 require the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC) to promulgate rules and regulations establishing
gift cards for hunting and fishing licenses in New York State.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one amends section 11-0706 to require the Commissioner of the
Department of Environmental Conservation to promulgate rules and
regulations for the sale of gift cards for New York State hunting and
fishing licenses.

Section two provides the effective date.

EXISTING LAW:

Section 11-0706 of the Environmental Conservation Law, which was part
of the 2012-13 New York State Budget, Chapter 58 of the Laws of 2012,
provides that the Commissioner is authorized to establish gift cards
              

for hunting and fishing.

JUSTIFICATION:

This bill requires the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental
Conservation to promulgate rules and regulations so that gift cards
for hunting and fishing can be sold in New York State. 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, offered by the Office of
Parks, 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.

In 2013, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
(DEC) began to issue their own gift cards that can be used for camping
at all New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Facilities. These gifts cards are similar to those offered by the
Office of Parks, but they carry their own restrictions as imposed by
the DEC and are only for use at DEC facilities.

Thus there is a precedent set within the state, and within the DEC in
particular, 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 available through the purchase of gift
cards.


LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Potential for increased revenue.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect immediately.