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Bill

A 8098

Authorizes the department of environmental conservation to independently add to the lists of prohibited and regulated invasive species on an emergency basis

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Anna Kelles

DEC gains emergency power to list invasive species as prohibited/regulated without new bills, enabling rapid ecosystem protection but affecting trade and handlers.

REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
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Bill Summary · A 8098

Summary of NY A 8098

Overview

A 8098 would authorize the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to independently add species to the lists of prohibited and regulated invasive species on an emergency basis. The bill is sponsored by Assembly member Anna Kelles (primary) and has been referred to the Environmental Conservation Committee for consideration.

  • Introduced: April 30, 2025
  • Status: Referred to Environmental Conservation
  • Related bills: A 9592 (prior-session); S 5982 (companion) — listed as companion in the record

What the bill would do

  • Grant DEC the authority to place additional invasive species on the state lists of prohibited and regulated species without requiring a separate bill for each listing, but instead on an emergency basis.
  • The emergency designation implies a mechanism to act quickly in response to urgent ecological, economic, or public health threats posed by specific invasive species.

Key provisions (as indicated by the title and summary)

  • Independent action: DEC can act without waiting for new legislation each time an invasive species is deemed a serious threat.
  • Emergency basis: Actions would be taken to address immediate risks, potentially accelerating restrictions on possession, sale, transport, or release of listed species.

Note: The detailed criteria, procedural safeguards, duration of emergency listings, sunset or renewal provisions, and any required notices or opportunities for public input are not specified in the information provided. Full text would clarify these elements.

Who would be affected

  • New York DEC and its regulatory authorities would gain a streamlined authority to list species.
  • Businesses and individuals dealing with invasive species (e.g., pet stores, plant nurseries, landscapers, boaters, importers) could be subject to rapid restrictions on listed species.
  • Public lands, natural resources, and ecosystems could experience faster protective measures against emergent invasive threats.

Legislative status and process

  • Introduced: April 30, 2025
  • Latest action: Referral to Environmental Conservation on April 30, 2025 (listed twice in the record)
  • Next steps: The bill would move through the Environmental Conservation Committee, with potential amendments, hearings, and votes before advancing to the full legislature for consideration.

Related legislation and sponsor

  • Primary sponsor: Anna Kelles
  • Related bills: A 9592 (prior-session); S 5982 (companion) — indicating parallel or cross-chamber consideration

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Pros: Enables rapid responses to emerging invasive threats, potentially reducing ecological and economic damage.
  • Cons/uncertainties: The lack of detail in the summary about checks and balances, duration of emergency listings, standards for listing, and due process could raise questions about oversight and predictability for affected parties. Full text needed to assess protections, review mechanisms, and any sunset provisions.

Notes

This summary reflects the information provided. For a complete understanding, the bill’s full text and accompanying analyses would be required to confirm procedural requirements, definitions of “emergency,” and any legislative safeguards.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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