What's happening
This bill allows veterans free lifetime access to all New York state parks and recreational facilities.
Why it matters
Recognizes and honors veterans’ service. by granting them a tangible, lifelong benefit, reinforcing the state’s commitment to those who served in the armed forces.
Reduces financial barriers for veterans and their families. to enjoy outdoor recreation, which can positively impact their physical and mental health by making nature and leisure activities more accessible.
Requires the state parks office to develop practical implementation rules. including veteran identification, pass issuance, and administrative procedures—ensuring the benefit is efficiently and fairly administered.
May increase park visitation and community engagement. among veterans, fostering greater inclusion and utilization of public resources by a historically underserved group.
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Who cares
U.S. armed forces veterans
The bill would give veterans lifetime passes for admission-free access to all state parks and recreational facilities under state agency jurisdiction.
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
The office would set the pass format and veteran identification requirements, designate distribution locations and issue implementing rules.
Regional park headquarters
These headquarters would serve as locations where veterans could obtain the passes.
Other state agencies operating parks and recreational facilities
Their facilities would also be covered by the admission-free access requirement for veterans.
Headline styles
Free Park Access for Veterans
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
569
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KENNEDY -- 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 access to state parks and recreational facilities by veterans without charge
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 13.22 to read as follows:
§ 13.22 State park and recreational facility access; veterans. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the office shall provide to veterans of the armed forces of the United States access to all state parks and recreational facilities under the jurisdiction of the office or other state agency, entitling such veteran to a pass to such state parks and recreational facilities without the charge of any admission.
2. The pass for veterans access shall be available at regional park headquarters and such other places as the office shall designate. Such pass shall be issued in a manner and form to be determined by the office that shall be sufficient to identify the holder as a veteran and shall be valid for the life of such veteran.
3. The office shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rules or regulations necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03681-01-9
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 access to state parks and recreational facilities by veter- ans without charge
Purpose or general idea of bill
To give a well-deserved benefit to veterans that have served this coun- try, by allowing them to access state parks free of charge.
Justification
These privileges are currently extended to disabled veterans. Many veterans, however, are on a fixed income and cannot afford continual access to state parks. The fees for some veterans are simply too great just to enjoy a day at the park. In effect, it may attract more veterans to our beautiful state parks. This bill would make access to our state parks and recreation facilities easier to all veterans.
Prior legislative history
2011-12: S.6975/A.6645 Referred to Cultural Affairs, Tourism Parks and Recreation 2015-16: S.1508/A.4860 Referred to Cultural Affairs, Tourism Parks and Recreation 2017-18: S.5103/A.5678
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
Shall take effect the one hundred and twentieth day after it shall have become a law, provided, however, that effective immediately, the addi- tion, amendment and/or repeal of any rules or regulations 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.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.