What's happening
This bill prohibits littering on New York state park lands, imposing fines and community service for violations.
Why it matters
Establishes clear penalties for littering in state parks, including both monetary fines and mandatory community service. , making enforcement more practical and potentially more effective by requiring violators to help restore the very lands they harmed.
Applies not only to public park lands but also to adjacent private lands. , addressing the common problem of litter spilling over park boundaries and impacting neighboring environments and property owners.
Specifically exempts reasonable use of materials like sand, salt, or ashes for safety on snow or ice. , ensuring the law does not unintentionally penalize necessary public safety practices during winter conditions.
Implements escalating consequences for repeat offenders. , with higher fines and increased service hours for second or subsequent violations, aiming to deter chronic littering and encourage behavioral change.
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Who cares
State park visitors
People who litter would face fines of up to $350 and/or up to 10 hours of park service, rising to $700 and/or 15 hours for repeat violations.
Owners of private land adjacent to parks
The bill would also prohibit dumping refuse, trash and other offensive matter on their land.
State park administrators
The bill would allow the department to assign required service to another state park rather than the park where the offense occurred.
Park snow and ice maintenance crews
The bill would preserve reasonable use of ashes, sand, salt or other materials to reduce hazards or provide traction on snow, ice or sleet.
Headline styles
Ban Littering in State Parks
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 29
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to tourism, parks, arts and sports development
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.122
- 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 61–0
Show 4 earlier actions
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.126
- 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.
Ban Littering in State Parks
In Assembly Committee · Tourism, Parks, Arts And Sports Development · Sponsor Daniel O'Donnell
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2494
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 25, 2019
Introduced by Sens. SERRANO, CARLUCCI, RIVERA -- 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 prohibiting littering on state park lands
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 13.12 to read as follows:
§ 13.12 Throwing refuse on park lands prohibited. 1. No person shall throw, dump, deposit or place, or cause to be thrown, dumped, deposited or placed upon any park lands or upon private lands adjacent thereto, any refuse, trash, garbage, rubbish, litter or any nauseous or offensive matter.
2. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the use in a reasonable manner as ashes, sand, salt or other material for the purpose of reducing the hazard of, or providing traction on snow, ice or sleet.
3. A violation of the provisions of subdivision one of this section shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed three hundred fifty dollars and/or a requirement to perform services at the park lands where the offense occurred, or, in the discretion of the department, at another state park land location, not to exceed ten hours and for any second or subsequent violation by a fine not to exceed seven hundred dollars and/or a requirement to perform services at the park lands where the offense occurred, or, in the discretion of the department, at another state park land location, not to exceed fifteen hours.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03145-02-9
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 prohibiting littering on state park lands
Purpose
To create a greater deterrent to littering in State Parks and Historic Sites.
Summary of specific provisions
-Codifies Selection 375.1 of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Histor- ic Preservation Codes, Rules and Regulations by prohibiting the throwing of refuse on park lands.
-Makes appropriate exemptions for the reasonable use of ashes, sand, salt or other material for the purpose of reducing the hazard of, or providing traction on snow, ice or sleet.
-Creates a fine structure for the act of littering in State Parks or Historic Sites, including a fine not to exceed $350 and/or community service at a State Park for a first violation and a fine not to exceed $700 and/or community service at a State Park for a second violation.
Justification
New York's State Parks are among the most magnificent in the Nation. By enacting stringent policies to protect our parks, we will deter litter- ing and ensure our park staff spends less time picking up trash and more time maintaining and beautifying parks in other ways. Moreover, in the event that someone does litter, a punishment of community service will help maintain the tarnished park.
Prior legislative history
2018: S.3053-Passed Senate 62-0 2017: S.3053- Passed Senate 62-0 2016: S.956-Passed Senate 60-0 2015: S.956-,Passed Senate 62-0 2014: S.3014- Passed Senate 57-0 2013: S.3014- Referred to Cultural Affairs, Tourism,Parks and Recreation
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:.
None.
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.