Provides that veterans who hold either a federal Golden Access Passport or federal Access Pass shall be granted use of public campsites, parks and other public places of recreation free of charge

BILL NUMBER:S7617A

Title of bill

An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to free use of campsites, park and other public places of recreation by veterans who hold a federal Golden Access Passport or a federal Access Pass

Purpose

To provide that veterans who hold either a federal Golden Access Passport or a federal Access Pass shall be granted use of public campsites, parks and other public places of recreation free of charge.

Summary of provisions

This bill would amend section 13.19 of the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, to provide that any veteran who holds a federal Golden Access Passport or federal Access Pass issued upon a determination of permanent disability, will enjoy free use of campsites, parks and other public places of recreation, upon the same terms and conditions that apply to the general public, but without the payment of any fees or other charges for such use.

Justification

Presently, the federal government has established an Access Pass program for disabled individuals.

This Access Pass program provides a free, lifetime pass, to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States, that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability, that severely limits one or more major life activities (such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, or working). Such pass provides access to recreation areas managed by five Federal agencies (The National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Fish & Wildlife Service, or the USDA Forest Service).

In 2007, the Access Pass program replaced a similar program to allow free access to these recreation areas, known as the Golden Access Passport Program. Although no longer available (as they have been replaced by Access Passes) Golden Access Passports are valid for a lifetime and are still honored in these national recreation areas.

This bill would allow veteran holders of these federal Golden Access Passports or the Access Pass to also be able to access state recreational facilities free of charge.

Currently, pursuant to section 13.19 of the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, any person who is:

* blind; * non-ambulatory; * an amputee; or * a veteran of the wars of the United States, who has at any time been awarded by the federal government an allowance towards the purchase of an automobile or is eligible for such an award;

is permitted to use any of the public campsites, parks and other public places of recreation in New York State, upon the same terms and conditions as apply to the general public, but without the payment of

any fees or other charges for the use of such campsites, parks and other public places of recreation.

Prior legislative history

This is a new bill

Fiscal implications

Minimal but determined on the usage of this benefit.

Effective date

This act would take effect immediately.