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A 10352

Enacting the lead-free game donation act

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Deborah Glick and 1 co-sponsor

Prohibits donating or serving game taken with lead ammunition and requires labeling; promotes non-lead options and DEC-guided donation networks to reduce lead exposure.

ADVANCED TO THIRD READING CAL.381
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Bill Summary · A 10352

Summary of Bill A. 10352 (Session 2025-2026) – Lead-Free Game Donation Act

Jurisdiction: New York

Sponsor: Assembly Members Glick (primary); co-sponsors: Linda Rosenthal, Deborah Glick

Status: Advanced to Third Reading (as of April 23, 2026)

Effective date: Two years after enactment. The act authorizes immediate rulemaking steps to implement the law prior to its effective date.

1) Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes a formal framework to prohibit the donation, distribution, and service of game or wild game that has been taken with lead ammunition for human consumption in New York.
  • Promotes public health by reducing lead exposure risk, particularly for recipients of charitable food donations.
  • Encourages use of non-lead ammunition in hunting and supports ongoing non-lead ammunition outreach efforts by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

2) Key Provisions and Changes

A. Donation of Game and Labeling Requirements (DEC Law changes)

  • Amends Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) § 11-0917, paragraph d:
    • Donated game that is meant for food banks or other charitable food programs may be donated, possessed, prepared, and distributed by nonprofits.
    • Donated game must be tagged, labeled, or marked “not for sale,” and include:
    • Type of meat
    • Method of take
    • Ammunition category (lead vs. non-lead)
    • License number of the hunter
    • Name and address of the professional processor
    • Date of processing
    • The DEC must provide:
    • Instructions for safe and sanitary preparation of game
    • A list of professional processors that donors may use
    • A list of charitable/not-for-profit organizations that accept game donations
    • Professional processors and organizations may notify the DEC of their participation; the DEC must list participants unless there is a good cause not to.

B. Definition and Restrictions on Lead Ammunition (New DEC Subdivision 11)

  • Defines “lead ammunition” as ammunition containing one or more percent lead by weight.
  • Prohibits game taken with lead ammunition from being donated, distributed, or served for human consumption in New York.
  • Requires the Commissioner (in consultation with the Commissioner of Health) to:
    • Develop and publish on the DEC website a list of recognized non-lead ammunition.
  • Clarifies that game taken by archery or by firearm using non-lead ammunition remains eligible for donation and distribution.

C. Agriculture and Markets Provisions (Donations)

  • Adds a new subdivision to Agriculture and Markets Law § 71-z:
    • Subdivision 4 clarifies that the prohibition on donating game taken with lead ammunition does not apply to archery-taken game or game taken with non-lead ammunition.
    • Maintains applicability of subdivision 1 to archery and non-lead ammunition, ensuring consistent program operation where allowed.

3) Who/What Is Affected

  • Hunters and sellers: Must distinguish lead vs. non-lead ammunition; lead-taken game is ineligible for donation.
  • Charitable food organizations and professional processors: Must follow tagging/labeling requirements and participate in DEC-listed networks.
  • Consumers/recipients: Beneficiaries of donated game are protected from potential lead exposure.
  • State agencies: DEC and the Department of Health jointly oversee implementation, education, and lists of compliant processors and donors.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective date: Two years after enactment.
  • Immediate actions allowed: The act authorizes the addition, amendment, or repeal of rules/regulations necessary for implementation to occur on or before the effective date.
  • Ongoing guidance: DEC will publish and update lists of non-lead ammunition and participating processors/organizations online.

5) Practical Impact

  • Reduces risk of lead exposure to vulnerable populations receiving donated game.
  • Creates a standardized framework for donation programs, including labeling, processing, and donor participation.
  • Encourages transition toward non-lead ammunition through official designation and public guidance.

Notes: The bill aligns public health goals with wildlife management and charity food donation programs, while preserving eligibility for archery-taken game and non-lead ammo-driven donations.

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

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