What's happening
This bill creates the "I love NY outdoors" program to promote hunting and fishing tourism, with a $2.5 million appropriation.
Why it matters
Potential economic boost for rural and upstate communities. By promoting hunting and fishing tourism, the program could bring more visitors—and their spending—to regions of New York that rely heavily on outdoor recreation, supporting local businesses, guides, and hospitality industries.
State-led marketing and partnerships. The bill empowers the commissioner to work directly with the Department of Environmental Conservation and allows contracting with private travel companies, signaling a multi-agency and public-private approach to tourism development.
Focus on out-of-state attraction. The required advertising campaign and brochure distribution target nearby states specifically, aiming to draw new tourists rather than simply encouraging in-state recreation, which could diversify the state’s tourism base.
Highlighting New York’s natural resources. By cataloging and promoting the state’s fish and game species, the legislation underscores New York’s diverse wildlife as a unique selling point, possibly raising awareness and appreciation for conservation and outdoor stewardship.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Promote Outdoor Tourism Program
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to finance
- Referred to finance
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.
Promote NY Outdoor Tourism
In Assembly Committee · Tourism, Parks, Arts And Sports Development · Sponsor Karl Brabenec
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1259
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 11, 2019
Introduced by Sen. FUNKE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT to amend the economic development law, in relation to creating the "I love NY outdoors" program; and making an appropriation therefor
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The economic development law is amended by adding a new article 9-B to read as follows:
ARTICLE 9-B
I LOVE NY OUTDOORS PROGRAM Section 216. I love NY outdoors program.
§ 216. I love NY outdoors program. 1. The commissioner shall develop and implement an "I love NY outdoors" program. The commissioner, in conjunction with the commissioner of the department of environmental conservation, shall develop a marketing strategy pursuant to this program that shall promote New York as a premiere destination for hunting and fishing.
2. The commissioner, in accordance with this program, shall cause to be developed outdoor vacation itineraries and packages. Nothing shall preclude the commissioner from contracting with an independent vacation or travel package company to help develop such outdoor vacation itineraries and packages.
3. The commissioner shall create and distribute a brochure of all the species of fish and game sought in New York and an advertising campaign promoting the program established by this section. Such brochure shall be distributed and such advertising shall be focused on nearby states to increase tourism and to promote New York as a premiere destination for hunting and fishing.
§ 2. The sum of two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000), or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated to the department of economic development from any moneys in the
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07124-01-9
S. 1259 2
state treasury in the general fund not otherwise appropriated for services and expenses; including the expenses of the department of economic development, for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this act. Such sum shall be payable on the audit and warrant of the state comptroller on vouchers certified or approved by the commissioner of economic development, or his duly designated representative in the manner provided by law.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the economic development law, in relation to creating the "I love NY outdoors" program; and making an appropriation therefor
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose is to create a program for the promotion of New York's vast outdoor opportunities including hunting and fishing
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: Adds a new Article 9-B to the Economic Development 'Law creating the "I Love NY Outdoor" Program. This section provides that the Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development shall be respon- sible for producing or contracting productions of materials for packages relative to hunting and fishing vacations and accommodations.
Section 2: Provides an appropriation of $2,500,000 to the Department for the purpose of developing materials necessary for compliance with the law.
Section 3: Provides an immediate effective date.
Justification
Every year millions of people head to the outdoors in search of some- thing. Some go looking for the monster whitetail deer of the Adiron- dacks, others head to the Great Lakes in search of landlocked salmon and many-look to see the a rare pair of mating loons. Whatever the desire, New York's outdoors can service all of these wishes. Unfortunately, there is no program in New York aimed at developing specific information geared toward the hunting and fishing industry. As an industry that spends $6 billion annually in the state, there is definitely a market that needs further assistance in development. In addition to the revenue generated by sportsmen and women in New York, this industry has a mini- mal cost to local governments. In fact, local governments benefit a great deal from the sporting industry as they receive the greatest portion of the sales tax revenue generated from monies spent by outdoor enthusiasts.
Prior legislative history
2005-2006 - A11032 - Held for consideration in tourism, arts and sports development 2007-2008 A4020 - Held for consideration in tourism, arts and sports development 2009-2010 A3005 - Held for consideration in tourism, arts and sports development 2011-2012 A4178 - Held for consideration in tourism, arts and sports development 2013-2014 development A4446 - Held for consideration in tourism, arts and sports
Fiscal implications
$2,500,000 investment for creation of program materials
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.