What's happening
This bill allows immediate family members of armed forces members killed in active duty to use New York state parks and campsites for free.
Why it matters
Expands benefits to grieving families. By granting free access to parks and campsites, the bill recognizes the sacrifice of immediate family members of service members killed in active duty, offering them a tangible form of state support and appreciation.
Aligns with existing benefits for veterans and disabled individuals. The amendment places families of fallen service members alongside other groups (such as disabled persons and decorated veterans) who already receive these privileges, reflecting a broader policy of honoring military service and sacrifice.
May increase park accessibility and usage. Immediate family members who might otherwise avoid recreational activities due to cost could be encouraged to visit state parks, potentially aiding their emotional well-being and connection to community and nature.
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Who cares
Spouses and parents of service members killed in active duty
The bill would let them use public campsites, parks and other public recreation places in New York without paying use fees or other charges.
Children and siblings of service members killed in active duty
They would also qualify for free use, subject to the same terms and conditions as the general public.
Operators of public campsites, parks and recreation places
They would have to extend the fee exemption to these eligible family members.
Headline styles
Free Campsites for Gold Star Families
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
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 Gold Star Families
In Assembly Committee · Veterans' Affairs · Sponsor Michael DenDekker
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5009
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 6, 2017
Introduced by Sen. JACOBS -- 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 by the immediate family of a member of the armed forces killed in active duty
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 parks and 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 or is the spouse, parent, child or sibling of a member of the armed forces killed in active duty, 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.
LBD09861-02-7
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 by the immediate family of a member of the armed forces killed in active duty
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill gives free use of parks and campsites to the parent, spouse, child or sibling of a person who died in the line of duty while serving in the United States armed forces during a period of war.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 - The bill amends section 13.19 the parks, recreation and historic preservation law as amended by chapter 649 of the laws of 1977. The bill gives free use of parks and campsites to the parent, spouse, child or sibling or a member of the armed forces killed in active duty.
Section 2 - This act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
In recognition of their service to our country, veterans and military service members are granted certain benefits when they return home, including free access to state parks for them and their families. Unfortunately, when a military service member is killed in the line of duty, that benefit dies with them. Accordingly, this bill would restore the benefit of free access to state parks to immediate family members of gold star families, a benefit they would enjoy had their loved one survived.
Prior legislative history
None.
Fiscal implications
TBD.
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.