What's happening
This bill allows New York municipalities to lease naming rights to government-owned property after a public hearing and legislative approval.
Why it matters
Creates new revenue opportunities for municipalities. by allowing them to monetize the naming rights of public properties (like parks, buildings, or stadiums) through lease agreements, which could help fund local services or reduce reliance on taxes.
Adds transparency and public oversight. by requiring a public hearing with at least 30 days’ notice before any naming rights deal is finalized, giving residents a chance to voice support or concerns.
Imposes checks and balances. on the process by mandating that both the chief executive officer negotiates deals and that the legislative body must approve them by majority vote, preventing unilateral decisions.
Allows flexible use of proceeds. by permitting municipalities to spend the money gained from naming rights for any lawful municipal purpose, enabling funds to address the community’s most pressing needs.
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Who cares
County, city, town and village executives
The bill would authorize them to negotiate leases of naming rights for municipally owned property, with proceeds available for any lawful municipal purpose.
Municipal legislative bodies
Naming-rights contracts would require majority ratification and a public hearing with at least 30 days’ notice, held no more than 90 days before ratification.
Businesses seeking naming rights
The bill would allow them to contract with municipalities for naming-rights leases lasting one to five years.
Residents of affected municipalities
A required public hearing would give them an opportunity to weigh in before a naming-rights contract is ratified.
Headline styles
Sell Naming Rights Locally
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to local governments
- Referred to local governments
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.
Sell Government Naming Rights
In Senate Committee · Local Government · Sponsor Daphne Jordan
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1528
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 15, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. MAGNARELLI, FRIEND -- read once and referred to the Committee on Local Governments
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, in relation to allowing municipalities to lease naming rights for government owned property
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general municipal law is amended by adding a new section 99-x to read as follows:
§ 99-x. Transfer and lease of naming rights. 1. As used in this section the term "municipality" shall mean a county, city, town or village.
2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a municipality may enter into a contract to lease the naming rights of any property owned by such municipality according to the requirements of this section. The chief executive officer of the municipality shall be responsible for negotiating the contract, subject to the ratification of a majority of the members of the legislative body of such municipality.
3. Such leasing agreement shall be for a period of not less than one year and not more than five years.
4. Prior to the ratification of a contract pursuant to this section, the legislative body of a municipality shall hold a public hearing, on notice of at least thirty days, announcing the intention of such municipality to enter into such a contract with a third party. A public hearing pursuant to this section shall not be held more than ninety days prior to such ratification.
5. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the proceeds from any transaction described in this section may be used by such municipality for any lawful municipal purpose.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00198-01-9
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.