Authorizes a tax check-off for gifts to the explore the cosmos New York fund and the issuance of distinctive "Explore the Cosmos New York" license plates

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1: amends tax law by adding section 625-a to authorize the contribution of tax refund donation to the "Explore the Cosmos New York" fund for the Science and Education Center that will house the Space Shuttle Enterprise at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

Section2: amends state finance law by adding section 81 to authorize the creation of the "Explore the Cosmos New York Fund" to be jointly held in custody by the Office of State Comptroller and Department of Tax and Finance. The fund will be created by check-off donations via tax returns and the sale of commemorative license plates celebrating New York's contribution to space program.

Section 3: amends vehicle and traffic law by adding new section 404-x which authorizes the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles to issue a commemorative license plate celebrating New York State's contribution to the national space exploration program and NASA Space Shuttle Program. Funds from the sale of these plates will go towards the "Explore the Cosmos New York Fund" as described in Section 81 of state finance law.

Justification

New York State has a rich history of contributing outstanding talent to the Space Shuttle Program, therefore, there is a need for legislation that will require New York to commemorate the State's contributions to space exploration and create a dedicated and voluntary donation option on tax forms that will support the Science and Education Center that will house the Space Shuttle Enterprise at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

The only two women to ever command a space shuttle both call Elmira and Rochester, New York their home. The last pilot of the Atlantis (July 2011 mission), the historic last space shuttle mission, is a native New Yorker who was born in Endicott, in the southern tier. New York has a long history of contributing outstanding talent to our nation's work to explore space and this is very clear when we review the list of talented people that have helped make the Space Shuttle Program and International Space Station a reality and a success.

New York has contributed more astronauts to the Space Shuttle Program than any other state. Combined 30 astronauts, born and raised in New Yorker, have participated in 75 Space Shuttle missions that have yielded tremendous research activity, new discoveries and the completion of the International Space Station. New York State needs to honor and commemorate its contributions to this historic achievement for humanity.

This legislation, if enacted into law, would create a special pool of money called the Explore the Cosmos New York Fund which would be funded through voluntary donations made through a check-off box that will be required to appear in New York State tax forms.

The second part of the proposed legislation will direct the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to create a commemorative license plate that captures the participation of New York State industry and residents in the Space Shuttle Program. DMV will be required to design and to issue this commemorative plate by July 8, 2013, the two-year anniversary of the launch of last Space shuttle mission. DMV will assign a fee for the purchase of this plate and excess funds collected after production costs will go to the Explore the Cosmos NY Fund.

The funds collected for the Explore the Cosmos New York program will be held by the Office of the New York State Comptroller and made available yearly to the Science and Education Center that will house the Space Shuttle Enterprise at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

The Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC, is giving up the prototype Enterprise Space Shuttle to New York City's Intrepid Museum." Enterprise was used for test flights in the 1970s. It is expected that this new addition to the museum will generate tens of thousands of additional tourist visits to the museum and New York State. Unfortunately, currently the housing of the Enterprise at the Intrepid Museum is in jeopardy due to the museums limited space and budget. This fund will help bring the Enterprise to its proper home.

Prior legislative history

New legislation.

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

NONE. This legislation will actually generate income for science museum that will help generate more tourism visits and spending in NYS.

Effective date

This bill will take effect immediately and sunsets in 8 years.