Meeting just before the full Legislature, the Public Safety Committee recommended for Legislature consideration the long-debated measure that would seek state legislation to amend State environmental conservation law to add Tompkins County to the list of those counties where use of rifles is authorized for deer and bear hunting. Although the vote was unanimous in committee (with Legislator Henry Granison excused), two committee members’ “yes” votes were to advance the measure to the full Legislature for a decision. Both Legislators Anne Koreman and Shawna Black said they were personally opposed to anything that expands the use of guns. Chair Rich John said he anticipates the matter will be an extensively debated item before the Legislature. Legislature consideration is scheduled for October 1st.
Also from the Public Safety Committee meeting, Mr. John conveyed information from a report from District Attorney Matt Van Houten on the new Discovery requirements under New York State criminal justice reform, which will have significant impact on both District Attorney’s offices and law enforcement procedures across the state, since it vastly expedites the timing of the prosecution’s discovery obligations to the defense, in general imposing a time limit of 15 days from arraignment. Mr. John said he would support a budget adjustment and contingent fund resolution to enable the D.A. get a head start this year on filling a full-time paralegal and part-time confidential investigator position requested as part of the District Attorney’s requested 2020 budget to help meet the demands of the new Discovery statute.