A bill was recently introduced into the state Assembly that would provide immediate relief to commercial fishermen at the fuel pump by providing fuel tax exemptions for operators of commercial fishing vessels.
This legislation, introduced by Tommy John Schiavoni (D-Sag Harbor), would seek parity for the fuel tax exemption in New York State among the agricultural and commercial fishing industries. Unlike farmers, commercial fishermen must front the entire cost of filling up their vessel with expensive diesel fuel and then file with the Department of Taxation (DTF) for a refund.
Commercial fishermen each purchase up to 10,000 gallons of gas over the course of a year, forcing fishermen to pay thousands of dollars just to travel to and from the fishing grounds.
Current statute provides relief for commercial fishermen only from sales and use taxes when purchasing fuel and supplies if they claim a refund with the DTF.
Schiavoni said this refund process can take months to process, while farmers and commercial horse boarding operators can seek immediate and additional relief by applying for a state tax exemption certificate. This legislation, Schiavoni said, would provide access to the commercial fishing industry for these same benefits.
The assemblyman said he has “had several conversations with commercial fishermen and industry leaders” throughout his district and across the state. “Among many other factors, the amount of fuel tax spent by commercial fishermen in New York forces many fishermen to do business in other states where diesel and supplies cost less, ultimately taking away from Long Island’s blue economy,” he said.
“While the [Trump] administration wages a war in the Middle East, fuel prices continue to rise, forcing fishermen to pay even more than they should just to go to work,” Schiavoni said. “I am dedicated to working with my colleagues in the Legislature and with state agencies to discuss how New York State can commit to reform and reinvestment in the fishing industry, and this is a critical step forward.”