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History
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation shall provide Empire Passports to individuals whose qualified service commenced on or after September eleventh, two thousand one
In Assembly Committee · Tourism, Parks, Arts And Sports Development · Sponsor Claudia Tenney
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S7186
Title of bill
An act in relation to directing the Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to provide Empire Passports to the families of reservists and members of the National Guard, whose qualified service commenced on or after September eleventh, two thousand one
Purpose or general idea of bill
To honor reservists and members of the National Guard who have fought, and continue to fight, against terrorism, by providing them with an Empire Passport to enjoy the State's parks, beaches, and other natural resources free of charge.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 is new legislation.
Section 2 contains the effective date.
Justification
The Empire Passport Program allowed reservists and their families to apply for one free Empire Passport allowing free admission to all state parks and beaches. On March 25, 2011, a change was enacted to the program on the qualification. Now, the benefit is only available during the time in which a service member is deployed to active duty. A copy of the orders calling the soldier to active duty is required for submission of the application. The Passport can then be used by the soldier once he returns home or by his or her immediate family.
Executive Order 125, issued May 22, 1989, which was expanded by Governor Pataki on March 24, 2003, directing State Officials to ensure that the Appropriate Protections and Benefits are extended to Members of the Reserve Armed Forces of the United States and the Organized Militia of New York State, was continued under Executive Order 2 of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.
According to the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the reasoning behind the requirement change was to update the policy to more accurately reflect the Executive Order governing the program.
This interpretation more closely reflects our states' economic condition, than the original intent of the order: to provide Empire Passports to the families of reservists and members of the National Guard to allow the families of our military personnel to enjoy the State's parks, beaches and other natural resources free of charge, because these brave men and women have been, and will continue to be, called to active duty to fight the ongoing war on terrorism and the armed conflict with Iraq.
This legislation would restore the previous qualification standard of eligibility for the Empire Passport Program, in reflection of the
Executive Order created to extend the Patriot Plan Benefits to those of service to our nation after 9/11.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
Undetermined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.