What's happening
This bill allows semi-ambulatory individuals free use of public campsites, parks, and recreational areas in New York.
Why it matters
Expands Accessibility. By adding "semi-ambulatory" individuals (those who have limited mobility but are not fully non-ambulatory), the bill broadens free access to public recreational facilities, addressing a wider range of mobility impairments and making state parks more inclusive.
Reduces Financial Barriers. People who fall under the new category will no longer be required to pay fees to use state campsites, parks, and recreational areas—potentially making outdoor recreation more affordable for individuals who may already face increased medical or accessibility costs.
Promotes Social Inclusion. The amendment encourages greater participation in public life and recreational opportunities for people with partial mobility limitations, supporting their social integration and well-being by making it easier for them to enjoy public spaces.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Free Campsites for Disabled, Veterans
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
- Reported and committed to finance
- 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.
Free Campsites for Disabled Veterans
In Assembly Committee · Tourism, Parks, Arts And Sports Development · Sponsor Aileen Gunther
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1915
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 11, 2017
Introduced by Sen. RITCHIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation
AN ACT to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to the free use of campsites
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, semi-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, 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, parks and other public places of recreation.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03033-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to the free use of campsites
Purpose
To provide free access to state parks for semi-ambulatory members of our state.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends Section 13.19 of the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation law to provide free access to state parks and recreation areas to semi-ambulatory persons.
Section 2 provides the effective date.
Existing law
Article 13 of the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation law allows the blind, non-ambulatory, amputees and certain veterans of the wars of the United States free access to state parks.
Justification
Current law allows any person who is blind, non-ambulatory, or an amputee, or is a certain type of veteran, free access to our state's public parks. Until 2010, those who were semi-ambulatory also enjoyed free access to our state parks. That year the category was eliminated, requiring those who walk with a cane, crutches, walker, or other mobility aid to pay entry fees. Individuals receiving federal Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income or Railroad Disability were also removed from the exemption. The 2010 changes were prompted by an internal review of the. Access Pass system, which was conducted in response to several reports of Access Pass abuse. At particular issue were abuses by those in the latter category of persons receiving federal disability assistance and were receiving the benefit of the Access Pass, yet were able to golf for free.
There were no stories, however, of Access Pass abuses by semi ambulatory individuals. Rather, these are legitimately handicapped people that are attempting to enjoy the benefits of our parks. These residents should receive the free access benefit as other similarly situated persons, and that was once afforded to them.
In 2010 the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation also argued for the elimination of the two categories because these categories were not contained in the statute. Despite this, Access Passes are currently distributed, although deservedly, to categories of individuals who are not included in the current law. Eliminating Access Pass abuses is necessary. However, removing semi-ambulatory individuals from the Access Pass program has prevented many deserving individuals from accessing our park system. Free admission to our state parks must be restored to our semi-ambulatory residents.
Legislative history
2012: S.6790 Referred to Cultural Affairs. 2013-2014: S.2112 Referred to Cultural Affairs/A.2381 Referred to Tourism. 2015-2016: S.2537 Referred to Cultural Affairs/A.1227 Referred to Tourism.
Fiscal implications
Fiscal impacts of this legislation would be minimal. The access pass system was changed in 2010 to eliminate two categories of eligibility from the access pass program: semi-ambulatory individuals and individuals receiving social security disability, social security insurance, or a railroad retirement board disability. The move was prompted by abuses by those receiving federal retirement benefits. Restoring the semi-ambulatory category would keep with the purpose of the program and allow the deserving disabled access to state parks.
Local fiscal implications
None.
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.