What's happening
The bill allows eligible veterans free use of public cabins and cottages in New York, limited to fourteen days per year.
Why it matters
Expands existing benefits for certain disabled veterans. including those who are blind, non-ambulatory, or amputees, as well as veterans awarded or eligible for a federal automobile allowance—by adding free access to state-owned cabins and cottages, not just campsites and parks.
Potentially increases opportunities for rest and recreation for eligible veterans. , supporting their well-being and quality of life by removing financial barriers to state park accommodations.
Limits free use of cabins and cottages to fourteen days per year. , which balances increased access for veterans with the need to manage public resources and ensure availability for other users.
Could raise awareness of state park offerings among veterans. , potentially encouraging greater use of public lands and fostering a sense of appreciation and inclusion within the veteran community.
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Who cares
People who are blind, non-ambulatory or amputees
The bill would add cabins and cottages to the public recreation facilities they may use without fees, with cabin and cottage use limited to 14 days per year.
Veterans eligible for federal automobile allowances
Veterans of U.S. wars who have received or are eligible for a federal automobile purchase allowance would gain free use of public cabins and cottages for up to 14 days per year.
Public park and recreation facility operators
Operators would need to provide qualifying visitors free cabin and cottage use within the annual limit, while applying the same other terms and conditions as for the general public.
Headline styles
Free Cabins for Veterans
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to veterans' affairs
- Print number 5286a
- Amend and recommit to veterans' affairs
- Referred to veterans' affairs
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.
Free Cabins for Veterans
In Senate Committee · Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs · Sponsor Robert Ortt
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5286--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 7, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. NORRIS -- read once and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to providing veterans free use of cabins and cottages located in public places of recreation within the state
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 13.19 of the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, as amended by chapter 649 of the laws of 1977, is amended to read as follows:
§ 13.19 Free use of campsites. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, any person who is blind, non-ambulatory, or an amputee or any 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 shall be permitted to use any of the public campsites, cabins, cottages, parks and other public places of recreation in this 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, cabins, cottages, parks and other public places of recreation. Use of cabins and cottages under this section shall be limited to fourteen days per year.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04844-02-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.