What's happening
This bill grants free vehicular access to New York state parks and recreational facilities for resident military personnel and their immediate families.
Why it matters
Removes financial barriers for military families. By waiving fees for annual and multi-year park access passes, the bill makes it easier for military personnel and their families to enjoy New York’s parks, potentially improving their quality of life and well-being.
Broadens eligibility to various military groups. The bill covers not only active-duty U.S. military, but also reserve members and personnel of the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, as well as their immediate families, expanding the benefit to a wide range of service members.
Requires proof and regulatory oversight. Access is contingent upon valid military identification or proof of service, and the commissioner is empowered to set detailed rules, helping to maintain accountability and prevent misuse of the benefit.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Free Park Access for Military
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- 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 Park Access for Military
In Assembly Committee · Tourism, Parks, Arts And Sports Development · Sponsor Didi Barrett
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7030
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2020
Introduced by Sen. MAY -- 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 vehicular access to state parks and recreational facilities free of charge to military personnel who are residents of this state
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 Free access to parks; military personnel. 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 13.15 of this article or any other provision of law, the annual vehicular access to state parks and recreational facilities, the "Three-Year Empire Passport" and the "Five-Year Empire Passport" established pursuant to sections 13.16, 13.18 and 13.20 of this article, shall be made available to all residents of the state who are United States military personnel, New York state division of military and naval affairs personnel, United States military reserve members, New York state division of military and naval affairs reserve members, and immediate family members of such persons.
2. Application shall be made for such vehicular access or passport in a manner and form to be determined by the commissioner and shall include valid proof of service, including, but not limited to, a common access card or military identification card.
3. The commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13604-01-9
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 vehicular access to state parks and recreational facilities free of charge to military personnel who are residents of this state
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill expands eligibility of Empire Passes to access New York State parks, without fee, for vehicle entry, admission fees, and other fees for park amenities to US and NYS members of the armed forces, as well as their dependents, who are residents of New York State.
Summary of specific provisions
The bill amends the parks, recreation and historic preservation law by adding a new section 13.22 to make Empire Passports available free of charge to all U.S. military personnel and reserve members, NYS division of military and naval affairs personnel and reserve members, and immedi- ate family members of such persons.
Justification
Under current policy, Empire Passes are available for purchase at $80.00 annually. Active duty military personnel and their immediate families in support of the war on terrorism may apply for free annual Empire Passes under Executive Order 125 and the Patriot Plan Benefit. Additionally, disabled veterans may apply for the Lifetime Liberty Pass. The federal government of the United States already has a similar policy to the proposed policy. The National Park Service offers Annual America the Beautiful Passes for purchase at $80.00. US military members and their dependents in any branch including National Guard and Reserve members may obtain the same pass at no cost with presentation of a valid Common Access card or Military M. These passes cover entrance fees and stand- ard amenity fees at national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests and grasslands, and lands managed by the Bureau of Land Manage- ment, Bureau of Reclamation, and the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Military members living in New York have fewer opportunities to use public lands than those in other states farther west because most public lands in New York are operated by the state government instead of the federal government which has this policy in place. Under New York State's Executive Order 125, members of the New York State National Guard or military reserves currently on active duty are eligible for one free Empire Pass Card for use by the service member and their immediate family. This legislation permanently establishes Executive Order 125 in state law and, additionally, expands the availability of Empire Passes for all US and New York State military personnel and reservists.
Legislative history
New bill
Fiscal implications
To be determined
Effective date
90 days after becoming law
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.