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S 10179

Establishes a counties of Nassau and Suffolk deer management pilot program; repealer

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jack Martins

Establishes a three-year Nassau-Suffolk deer management pilot allowing local opt-in culls by nuisance wildlife specialists under permits to control overpopulation.

REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
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Bill Summary · S 10179

Summary of Bill S.10179 (2025-2026, New York)

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes a temporary deer management pilot program in the counties of Nassau and Suffolk.
  • Enables local governments within these counties to opt into a deer culling program using designated nuisance wildlife specialists.
  • Includes repeal and sunset provisions to limit the program's duration and to reassess its effectiveness.

Key provisions and changes

New program: Nassau and Suffolk deer management pilot (Section 11-0522-b)

  • Defines “nuisance wildlife specialist” (NWS) as an employee or contractor responsible for wildlife management under a deer management plan and cull permit, subject to department criteria.
  • Department authority to issue a deer cull permit within Nassau, Suffolk, or participating municipalities after reviewing:
    • A site-specific deer management plan.
    • A cull permit application.
    • A finding that deer have become a nuisance or threat to health, welfare, or property.
  • Permit framework:
    • permits authorize use of NWS to take deer under the terms of the permit.
  • Local participation:
    • Any town, city, or village within Nassau or Suffolk may opt in by local law or resolution.
    • Municipalities may apply directly to the department or be included in a county-wide application.
    • Deer cull activities cannot occur in a municipality unless it has opted in.
  • Application requirements include:
    • Timeframe and site-specific plan.
    • Geographic description and contract with applying county or municipality.
    • List of participating nuisance wildlife specialists and eligibility criteria.
    • Any requested authorizations under other departmental sections.
    • Details on expected law enforcement consultation.
  • Limitations:
    • The department is not compelled to issue a permit if the nuisance cannot be abated effectively.

Revisions to statutory language (cleanup and alignment)

  • Repeals subdivision 10 of section 11-0505 and adjusts related provisions to allow nuisance wildlife specialists with permits to engage in site-specific deer management (including holding conditions for traps, salt licks, and deterrent activities).
  • Updates several sections (11-0901 and 11-0931) to reflect permit-based activity by nuisance wildlife specialists, including taking from public highways and utilization of lights for certain activities, with safety and consent protections.

Reporting and sunset

  • Requires a departmental report on the pilot’s effectiveness no later than 30 months after the act’s effective date.
  • The report must cover:
    • Number of cull permits issued and deer taken.
    • Effectiveness in addressing overpopulation and property destruction.
    • Recommendations for program improvements and potential expansion.
  • Sunset: The act includes a three-year expiration for certain provisions, with others tied to expiration and repeal alignment in 2023-era law changes.

Who is affected

  • Residents and property owners in Nassau and Suffolk counties (and within participating municipalities) who experience deer overpopulation, nuisance, or damage.
  • Municipal governments in these counties that choose to participate.
  • NWS contractors and wildlife management professionals who would operate under permits.
  • Law enforcement and local agencies coordinating with hunters under the program.

Timeline and process

  • Effective date: January 1 following enactment.
  • Pilot duration: Repeals certain provisions after three years unless otherwise extended by law.
  • Reporting due: No later than 30 months after effective date.

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

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