S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
S. 5557 A. 7523
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
S E N A T E - A S S E M B L Y
May 14, 2015
___________
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered print-
ed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental
Conservation
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred
to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
providing a safe harbor exemption to commercial fishing vessels in
certain emergency situations
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 71-0907 of the environmental conservation law is
amended by adding a new subdivision 8 to read as follows:
8. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, WHERE A
COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSEL FISHING, LAWFULLY OPERATING UNDER THE FISHING
PERMITS OF ANOTHER STATE: A. ENCOUNTERS OR IS FORECASTED TO ENCOUNTER
SEVERE OR EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS, OR B. EXPERIENCES MECHANICAL FAIL-
URE, COMPROMISED HULL INTEGRITY, PUMP FAILURES, OR IS IN DANGER OF SINK-
ING, OR C. EXPERIENCES INJURY OR LIFE THREATENING ILLNESS TO A MEMBER OF
THE CREW, OR D. ENCOUNTERS ANY OTHER EMERGENCY SITUATION, SAID COMMER-
CIAL FISHING VESSEL MAY LAND THEIR FISH AT A NEW YORK PORT AND SHALL NOT
BE IN VIOLATION OF STATE RULES AND LANDING LIMITS OF NEW YORK. THE FISH-
ING VESSEL SHALL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO NOTIFY BOTH THE PERMITTING STATE
AND THE DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS DANGER IS KNOWN AND COMMUNICATION SIGNALS
ALLOW. THE COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSEL SHALL ALSO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO
PROVIDE THE PERMITTING STATE AND THE DEPARTMENT WITH DETAILS ON THE
INTENDED LANDING LOCATION, ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL, AND QUANTITIES AND
TYPES OF FISH SPECIES TO BE LANDED.
S 2. Severability. The provisions of this act shall be severable and
if any portion thereof or the applicability thereof to any person or
circumstances shall be held invalid, the remainder of this act and the
application thereof shall not be affected thereby.
S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10858-01-5