What's happening
This bill allows active volunteer firefighters and ambulance personnel in New York free access to state parks and campsites.
Why it matters
Supports volunteer emergency responders. By waiving state park and campsite fees for active volunteer firefighters and ambulance personnel, the bill recognizes and rewards their essential service, potentially boosting morale and helping with volunteer recruitment and retention.
Expands an existing benefit. The free access policy, previously limited to certain disabled individuals and veterans, would now include another group that provides critical public safety services, broadening the reach of this state benefit.
Potential fiscal and operational impact. The bill could lead to increased park usage and a reduction in fee revenue for state parks, prompting agencies to adjust budgets or management strategies to accommodate more users without additional income.
Affirms the value of community service. By equating volunteers’ service to that of disabled veterans and individuals with disabilities in terms of state-recognized benefits, the legislation underscores the societal importance of volunteer emergency responders in New York.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Free Parks for Volunteers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
- 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 Parks for Volunteers
In Assembly Committee · Tourism, Parks, Arts And Sports Development · Sponsor Angelo J. Morinello
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
276
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. ORTT -- 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 providing free use of state parks for volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance personnel
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 any person who is a resident of New York state and serves as an active volunteer firefighter, as defined in section two hundred fifteen of the general municipal law, or as an enrolled member of a volunteer ambulance service pursuant to article thirty of the public health law 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 on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date is authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02256-01-9
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 providing free use of state parks for volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance personnel
Purpose or general idea of bill
To provide free use of state parks and campsites for volunteer fire- fighters and members of a volunteer ambulance service.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 13.19 of the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law, as amended by Chapter 649 of the Laws of 1977, is amended by adding free use of parks and campsites; or any person who is a resident of New York State and serves as an active volunteer firefighter, as defined in section two hundred fifteen of the general municipal law, or as an enrolled member of a volunteer ambulance service pursuant to article thirty of the public health law.
Justification
To encourage and reward individuals to become volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance personnel by giving them free use of state parks and campgrounds.
Prior legislative history
S. 401 of 2016/2017 Referred to Cultural Affairs S.4826/A.6944 (2013-14); Referred to Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation S. 3116/A. 3603 of 2015/2016; Referred to Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.