District attorneys, county law enforcement and concerned residents told the Warren County Legislative Rules & Governmental Operations Committee that recreational nitrous-oxide use is increasing locally and that existing state law is difficult to enforce without additional resources or statutory clarification.

District Attorney (named in the transcript only as DA) told the committee the state’s prohibition — cited in the meeting as Public Health Law §3380(5) — includes penalties but faces practical limits in prosecution because laboratory testing to identify nitrous oxide in containers is uncommon and some criminal elements require proof of intent. He said some local prosecutions have proceeded by charging related criminal conduct while noting that ‘‘those accused are presumed innocent’’ and outcomes remain uncertain.

Deputy sheriff Terry (transcript spelling varies) described targeted compliance operations: officers and a narcotics unit conducted undercover buys at five Queensbury stores in October, resulting in two arrests with a third pending. He said the department worked with the State Department of Health and the State Bureau of Cannabis Management to use access warrants that allowed investigators to count inventory and secure premises. ‘‘We put our heads together and we decided our best way to go would be similar to an alcohol‑type operation,’’ the deputy said, describing test buys that included large whipped‑cream canisters and small cartridges sold online and in stores.

Community speakers said the issue extends beyond nitrous oxide. Mary Kane, a licensed clinical social worker, urged prevention and education in schools and clinical settings, saying substance use disorders and youth exposure are driving local harm. Another public commenter, Tina Dimarsh, described a recent family loss and said she had petitioned state officials without meaningful response, urging county officials to press the state for legislative change.

Committee members and staff discussed data gaps. The DA and sheriff said the county sometimes uses an out‑of‑state laboratory (Pennsylvania) that charges for forensic testing when needed; the State Police lab does not provide free container analysis for the county. Supervisors asked coroners and the state health agency for mortality and trend data and asked the county council’s office to prepare an update and report back in January.

The committee did not adopt local prohibitions at the meeting; members generally favored coordinating with neighboring counties and the state. The chair said the county will continue the conversation and receive a follow‑up from the county council’s office in January.

The committee kept the discussion open for additional public input and scheduled further review of enforcement options and data collection in coming meetings.