What's happening
This bill allows New York municipalities to lease naming rights for government-owned property, following public hearings and legislative approval.
Why it matters
Creates a new way for local governments to raise revenue. by allowing them to lease naming rights for any publicly owned property, potentially generating funds without increasing taxes.
Requires public oversight and transparency. , mandating a public hearing with at least 30 days’ notice before any naming rights deal can be finalized, ensuring community input and awareness.
Imposes limits on contract duration. naming rights leases must last between one and five years—preventing long-term or perpetual arrangements and allowing for regular reassessment.
Gives municipalities flexibility in using proceeds. , explicitly allowing any money raised to be spent on any lawful municipal purpose, which could help support local services, infrastructure, or other priorities.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Sell Government Naming Rights
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to local government
- Referred to local government
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 Naming Rights Locally
In Assembly Committee · Local Governments · Sponsor William Magnarelli
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3153
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 4, 2019
Introduced by Sen. JORDAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government
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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general municipal law, in relation to allowing muni- cipalities to lease naming rights for government owned property
Purpose
This bill allows municipalities - counties, cities, towns and villages an option to lease naming rights for governmentally owned properties and facilities (examples include but are not limited to waterfront property, parks, rail-trails, railroad tracks, city buses and stadiums etc.)
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends the general municipal law by adding a new section 99-x to read as follows; 99-x. Transfer and lease of naming rights. As used in this section the term municipality shall mean a county, city, town, or village.
Subsection 2 states that 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 offi- cer 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.
Subsection 3 notes the leasing agreement shall be for a period of not less than one year and not more than five years.
Subsection 4 stipulates 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 inten- tion 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.
Subsection 5 states any transaction described in this section may be used by such municipality for any lawful municipal purpose.
Justification
The era of the property tax cap in New York State has created new chal- lenges for many of New York's municipalities, who often struggle to find extra funds for local projects and expenditures. In today's environment, local governments are consequently searching for new, innovative and creative ways of finding revenue streams. It is therefore incumbent upon the New York state legislature to provide municipalities with options that would assist revenue generation to fund services and maintain muni- cipality owned property. Providing the local government with greater flexibility in leasing naming rights for municipal owned facilities can generate critical revenues thereby relying less on property tax increases and the tax cap rate in any given year.
Legislative history
S.3865 (2017-18) S.295 (2015-16) S.932 (2013-14) S.7507 (2011-12) A.9433 (2009-10)
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act will take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.