ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- New York lawmakers and the Cuomo administration have reached an agreement to end the state's $10 annual saltwater fishing license and replace it with a free registry for the state's coastal waters.
Stephen Liss, counsel to Assemblyman Robert Sweeney, says the three-way deal was worked out Tuesday night and will be included in the upcoming budget. Sweeney chairs the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee.
An administration official confirms the agreement. It followed introduction of legislation by several Republican senators to end the licenses introduced in 2009.
Environmentalists say fisherman paid about $1.7 million last year and the money is needed for marine programs.
In December, seven Long Island towns claiming colonial rights to fish free won a lawsuit against the Department of Environmental Conservation licensing for town waters.
