New York Assembly Bill A1685 and companion S6621 ban the breeding, sale, trade, purchase, distribution, transport, importation, and exportation of red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). Some exemptions exist, but not for private breeders. There is no grandfathering language, so any current breeders would not be allowed to continue. The bill does not ban possession, and current owners should not be affected.
A1685 is sponsored by Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal and was referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation: https://nyassembly.gov/comm/?id=15. You can read the bill and get full details at https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?default_fld=&leg_video=&bn=A01685&term=2025&Summary=Y&Text=Y.
S6621 is sponsored by Senator Pete Harckham and was referred to the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee: https://www.nysenate.gov/committees/environmental-conservation. You can read the bill and get full details at https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S6621.
