Extends the effectiveness of chapter 122 of 2000 relating to authorizing sweepstakes with respect to subscriptions to "The Conservationist"

BILL NUMBER:S5136

Title of bill

An act to amend chapter 122 of the laws of 2000, amending the environmental conservation law relating to authorizing sweepstakes with respect to subscriptions to "The Conservationist," in relation to the effectiveness thereof

Purpose of the Bill:

The purpose of this bill is to extend for three years the Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) authority to conduct sweepstakes to increase the number of Conservationist magazine subscribers.

Summary of Provisions:

Section 1 of this bill amends Chapter 122 of the Laws of 2000 to extend until August 1, 2018 Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) 3-0301(2)(y), which authorizes DEC to engage in sweepstakes or contests intended to stabilize, improve, or otherwise increase the subscriber base of the Conservationist magazine.

Section 2 of this bill provides for an immediate effective date.

Existing Law:

DEC currently has authority to conduct sweepstakes under ECL 3-0301(2)(y); however, pursuant to Chapter 122 of the laws of 2000, this authority expires on August 1, 2015.

Prior Legislative History:

DEC was originally granted authority to engage in sweepstakes to increase the subscribers of the Conservationist magazine in 1995 (Chapter 548 of the Laws of 1995). This authority expired on August 1, 1999. Chapter 122 of the Laws of 2000 granted this authority until August 1, 2003. This authority has been extended every three years since that time, and was last extended by Chapter 36 of the Laws of 2012.

Statement in Support:

DEC issues the Conservationist, a New York State-focused magazine that contains informative and entertaining articles, photography, and artwork. Articles cover a broad range of environmental and natural history related topics, including fishing, hiking, outdoor recreation, travel, hunting, and nature study. Published six times a year, the Conservationist has been published continuously since 1946 and has approximately 80,000 paid subscribers and an equal number of secondary readers in schools, libraries and homes throughout the state. Marketing research on magazine promotion demonstrates that sweepstakes are the most effective strategy to increase renewal and new subscriber response rates. DEC has conducted sweepstakes on several occasions in the past to generate sales and to increase renewal rates. Each year at the New York State Fair, DEC offers a significant prize (e.g. a canoe, a lifetime fishing license) to generate interest in the magazine, to

increase subscription sales at the booth, and to improve renewal rates of existing subscribers.

In order for DEC to sustain its high quality magazine product in a cost-effective manner there needs to be sufficient subscribers to create economies of scale for printing contract costs. All subscription revenues are deposited in a dedicated fund to support magazine production costs. Continued authority to conduct sweepstakes with respect to the Conservationist will ensure that DEC can continue to produce a quality product for current and potential subscribers.

Budget implications:

In addition to increasing the renewal rates of current subscribers, DEC projects that holding a sweepstakes could result in an increase of approximately 5,000 new Conservationist subscribers, and a concomitant increase in revenue of $50,000 to the Conservation Fund.

Local impact:

This bill would have no impact on local governments.

Effective Date:

This act shall take effect immediately.