What's happening
This bill requires New York state agencies to set overnight camping fees at $5 for residents aged 65 or older.
Why it matters
Creates a uniform, statewide discounted camping fee for seniors. , ensuring that all New York residents aged 65+ pay no more than $5 per night at any state-run overnight camping facility, regardless of the agency operating it.
May significantly expand affordable access to outdoor recreation for older adults. , potentially improving health, social engagement, and quality of life for seniors by making state park camping more financially accessible.
Could impact state revenue and park management. , as reduced fees might increase demand for campsites among seniors, potentially affecting availability for other groups and requiring adjustments in park operations or funding models.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Senior Discounts at Campgrounds
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to aging
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 63–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.2032
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4861
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 3, 2017
Introduced by Sens. DIAZ, HAMILTON, PARKER -- 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 reduced campsite fees for persons sixty-five years of age or older
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 13.32 to read as follows:
§ 13.32 Overnight camping fees for the elderly. The office and any other state agency setting fees for the use of any overnight camping facility shall set the rate at five dollars for residents of the state who are sixty-five years of age or over for the use of such facilities.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07305-01-7
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 reduced campsite fees for persons sixty-five years of age or older
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to enable more seniors the opportunity to enjoy our State Parks through reduced camping fees.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Amends the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law by adding a new section 13.32. Reduces the overnight camping fee for persons sixty-five years of age or older in New York State Parks to five dollars.
Section 2. Effective Date.
Existing law
None.
Justification
Most seniors live on fixed incomes and need price breaks in order to afford leisure activities. The registration fees and daily charges for a camp site currently range from a low of $16.00 to a high of $28.00. Providing a reduced rate would bring the fee to $5, thus allowing a greater number of seniors to enjoy New York State Parks.
Prior legislative history
2016: REFERRED TO CULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM, PARKS AND RECREATION 2015: REFERRED TO CULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM, PARKS AND RECREATION 2014: 5.864 - Referred to Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation/A.447 - Referred to Aging 2013: S.864 - Referred to Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation/A.447 - Referred to Aging 2012: S.297- Referred to Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation/A.277 - Referred to Aging 2011: S.297- Notice of Committee Consideration Requested, Committee Discharged and Committed to Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation/A.277 - Referred to Aging 2009-10: S.2221 - Reported and Committed to Finance/A.2789 - Referred to Aging 2007-08: S.3171 - Reported and Committed to Finance/A.9939 - Referred to Aging
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
Thirty days after enactment.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.