What's happening
This bill grants free access to New York state parks for certified first responders who aided in the 9/11 World Trade Center rescue effort.
Why it matters
Acknowledges and honors 9/11 first responders. by providing a tangible, ongoing benefit for their service, reinforcing public recognition of their sacrifices and sustained health risks.
May improve quality of life for eligible responders. by reducing financial barriers to recreation, relaxation, and access to nature—resources that can support mental and physical health, especially as many continue to face 9/11-related health issues.
Sets a precedent for similar benefits. for other groups of responders or individuals who have provided extraordinary service during state or national emergencies, potentially influencing future policy decisions.
Could have minor fiscal impacts on state park revenues. , but demonstrates a policy choice to prioritize gratitude and support for a specific group over the potential loss of fees.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Free Parks for 9/11 Responders
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 55
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to tourism, parks, arts and sports development
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.183
- 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 Parks for 9/11 Responders
In Assembly Committee · Tourism, Parks, Arts And Sports Development · Sponsor Andrew Raia
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3890
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 27, 2017
Introduced by Sen. FUNKE -- 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 providing free use of state parks for certified first responders who participated in the rescue effort conducted in response to the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The parks, recreation and historic preservation law is amended by adding a new section 13.22 to read as follows:
§ 13.22 Free use of state parks. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, any person who is a resident of New York state, upon proof of such residence and upon proof that such person served as a certified first responder, as defined in section three thousand one of the public health law, who participated in the rescue effort conducted in response to the World Trade Center attack on September eleventh, two thousand one, shall be permitted to use any of the state parks in this state, including on weekends and public holidays, 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 state parks.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date is authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06907-01-7
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 providing free use of state parks for certified first responders who participated in the rescue effort conducted in response to the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001
Purpose
To allow Ground Zero First Responders the opportunity to enjoy free parking at state parks.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends section 13.22 of parks, recreation, and historic preservation law to allow the commissioner to establish a program where those individuals who served as a Ground Zero First Responders be issued an annual pass at no cost to use in New York State Parks.
Section 2 provides the effective date
Justification
Currently, the Office of Parks and Historic Preservation through the Golden Park program gives senior citizens 62 years of age or older free parking at state parks. The Access Pass Program offers free vehicle access to state parks to people with a permanent disability, The Patriot Plan Benefit offers military service members who were called to active duty in response to the 9/11 emergency a free Empire Passport which provides for free vehicle access/parking at state parks. This bill would extend the same courtesies of free vehicle access/parking to those first responders who travelled to New York City and Washington D.C. in the days following September 11, 2001 to aid in the search, rescue, and recovery efforts. Many responders have suffered from both physical and mental disabilities following the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Providing access to State parks will assist in their physical and mental recovery.
Legislative history
A.5655 of 2015
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.