What's happening
This bill allows lakes to be included in local adopt-a-park, shoreline, and roadway litter removal programs.
Why it matters
Expanding the program to lakes means more opportunities for community engagement and environmental stewardship, especially in areas where lakes are major local features.
Including lakes could help address specific pollution and litter problems unique to aquatic environments, which are often neglected compared to parks and roadways.
The bill clarifies liability protections for municipalities and volunteers, which could encourage more groups to participate in cleanup efforts without fear of legal repercussions.
Providing official recognition (such as signage) for groups adopting lakes may motivate ongoing participation and foster a sense of ownership and pride in local water resources.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Adopt-a-Lake Program Added
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Recommit, enacting clause stricken
- 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.
Add Lakes to Adopt Programs
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Albert A. Stirpe
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3322
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 5, 2019
Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- 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 including lakes in adopt-a-municipal park, shoreline or roadway programs
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The article heading of article 13-BB of the general municipal law, as added by chapter 626 of the laws of 1991, is amended to read as follows:
ADOPT-A-MUNICIPAL PARK, SHORELINE [OR], ROADWAY
OR LAKE PROGRAMS
§ 2. Section 277 of the general municipal law, as added by chapter 626 of the laws of 1991, is amended to read as follows:
§ 277. Adopt-a-municipal park, shoreline [or], roadway or lake programs. 1. The governing body of any county, city, town or village is hereby authorized and empowered to authorize and direct such of its officers or agencies as it shall designate to enter into [adopt-a-park] adopt-a-municipal park, shoreline [or], roadway or lake program agreements with volunteers or groups in an effort to reduce and remove litter from its municipal parks, shorelines, roadways, lakes and other public lands. Such agreements shall include but not be limited to:
a. providing and coordinating services by volunteers or groups to reduce the amount of litter including providing trash bags and trash bag pick up and in designated areas where volunteers may be in close proximity to moving vehicles providing safety briefings and reflective safety gear; and
b. providing and installing signs identifying those volunteers or groups adopting its particular municipal parks, shorelines, roadways, lakes or other sections of public land.
2. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, the county, city, town or village and its employees shall not be liable for damages
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00544-01-9
S. 3322 2
suffered by any persons resulting from the actions or activities of such volunteers or groups.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
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 including lakes in adopt-a-municipal park, shoreline or roadway programs
Purpose
Add lakes to those areas that are eligible to participate in the Munici- pal Adoption Program.
Summary of provisions
Section 277 of the General Municipal Law that provides for agreements with volunteer groups for adopt-a-municipal park,shoreline or roadway shall be amended to include lakes.
Justification
Many communities have lakes that can become littered and unsightly. This bill would expand the present statute to allow these areas to be the subject of agreements under which volunteers could maintain a beau- tiful resource.
Legislative history
2017-18 S.2469/A.8599; 2015-16 S.3954/A.5473; 2013-14 S.4733A/A.6802A; 2011-12 S.5073
Fiscal implications
None to the State.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day 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.