What's happening
This bill creates a temporary commission to rename all New York public sites, projects, and infrastructure named after Robert Moses.
Why it matters
Addresses the legacy and commemoration of Robert Moses. By requiring removal of his name from public sites and infrastructure, the bill prompts a statewide reassessment of how New York honors historical figures with controversial records, potentially setting a precedent for similar actions regarding other public commemorations.
Creates a new, public process for renaming. The commission will hold hearings and consult with community leaders, implying that local voices and civic leaders will have input into the new names, making the process more democratic and responsive to community values.
Impacts public awareness and historical memory. The renaming of high-profile parks, roadways, and landmarks could spark broader public conversations about urban planning history, racial and class inequality, and the values that public honors reflect.
Logistical and financial implications for state and local governments. The renaming process will require coordination across multiple agencies and levels of government, and may involve costs for changing signage, maps, marketing materials, and legal documents, affecting budgets and administrative workflows.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Rename Robert Moses Sites
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to tourism, parks, arts and sports development
- Referred to tourism, parks, arts and sports development
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1741
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 14, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development
AN ACT to establish a temporary state commission to rename any projects, infrastructure, facilities or sites within the state which are named after or include any reference to Robert Moses; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The commissioner of the New York state office of parks, recreation and historic preservation, is hereby authorized to create a temporary state commission, hereafter referred to as the commission, to rename any projects, infrastructure, facilities or sites within the state which are named after or include any reference to Robert Moses, including, but not limited to, statues, schools, parks, playgrounds, roadways and beaches.
§ 2. (a) The commission shall consist of seven members, to be appointed as follows: one member to be appointed by the governor; three members to be appointed by the temporary president of the senate, consisting of two members from the majority party and one member from the minority party; and three members to be appointed by the speaker of the assembly, consisting of two members from the majority party and one member from the minority party. Each member appointed pursuant to this section shall be one of a local official, civic leader or park official. Vacancies in the membership of the commission and among its officers shall be filled in the manner provided for original appointments or designations. Such appointments shall be made within six months of the effective date of this act.
(b) All departments or agencies of the state or subdivisions thereof shall, at the request of the commission, provide such facilities, assistance, and data as will enable the commission to carry out its powers and duties.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04435-01-5
§ 3. (a) For the accomplishment of its purposes, the commission may meet and hold public and/or private hearings within or without the state and shall have all the powers of a legislative committee pursuant to the legislative law. The commission is authorized to consult with community leaders and empowered to undertake any studies, inquiries, surveys or analyses it may deem relevant through its own personnel or in cooperation with or by agreement with any other public or private agency. The commission shall consult with other departments or agencies of the state or subdivisions thereof as necessary when the renaming of a project, piece of infrastructure, facility or site involves such other departments or agencies of the state or subdivisions thereof.
(b) To the maximum extent feasible, the commission may request and shall be entitled to receive and shall utilize and be provided with such facilities, resources and data from any court in the state and from any subdivision, department, board, bureau, commission, office, agency or other instrumentality of the state or of any political subdivision thereof as it deems necessary or desirable for the proper execution of its powers and duties and to effectuate the purposes set forth in this act.
(c) The commission is hereby authorized and empowered to enter into any agreements and to do and perform any acts that may be necessary, desirable or proper to carry out the purposes and objectives of this act.
§ 4. (a) The commission shall make and submit their name recommendations to the commissioner of the New York state office of parks, recreation and historic preservation, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly. Such recommendations shall be made within six months after all members of the commission have been appointed pursuant to paragraph (a) of section two of this act.
(b) Once such recommendations are received and decided upon, the commissioner of the New York state office of parks, recreation and historic preservation shall take all necessary steps to proceed with such renaming. Where applicable, the commissioner shall work in conjunction with other departments or agencies of the state or subdivisions thereof to proceed with such renaming.
§ 5. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed on the first date next succeeding the date of the renaming of all projects, infrastructure, facilities or sites within the state which are named after or include any reference to Robert Moses as required under this act; and provided further, however, that the commissioner of the New York state office of parks, recreation and historic preservation shall notify the legislative bill drafting commission upon the renaming of all projects, infrastructure, facilities or sites within the state which are named after or include any reference to Robert Moses as required under this act in order that the commission may maintain an accurate and timely effective data base of the official text of the laws of the state of New York in furtherance of effecting the provisions of section 44 of the legislative law and section 70-b of the public officers law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.