Mr. Colvin reported there was relatively little activity on marine resource issues by the Legislature in the legislative session just ended. Two important bills have passed which relate to marine resources:

• A bill signed into law reinstates the authority of DEC to reissue a commercial foodfish, lobster or crab license to a member of a license-holder’s immediate family. The Council had strongly supported restoring this authority.
  
  
• The Legislature passed a substantial modification of a bill the Council reviewed earlier this year affecting DEC regulatory authority over lobsters. This bill authorizes DEC to enact regulations for the management of lobsters consistent with the requirements of ASMFC’s current management program for Lobster Management Area 4, the South Shore of Long Island. It is unknown when this bill will be signed into law.