S2292A

The New York State Senate passed legislation to amend the Environmental Conservation Law and address whale strike prevention, approving Senate Print 2292A (Calendar 767) by a vote of 58-1. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Harckham, comes in response to a surge in whale deaths along New York and New Jersey coasts, with 12 whales washing ashore between late 2023 and early 2024, many killed by boat strikes. Sen. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, a cosponsor, noted that three additional whale deaths occurred in a four-day period earlier in 2023, including one in her Long Beach community. She characterized the legislation as a first step in boater education and whale strike prevention. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick also called for state vigilance regarding other initiatives, such as fast-tracked offshore wind projects, to prevent unintended consequences to marine ecosystems. Only Sen. Walczyk voted against the measure. The bill takes effect 180 days after becoming law.