What's happening
This bill requires the Canal Corporation to operate canal locks and bridges annually from May 1 to November 15, preserve Erie Canal historic resources, and allows expanded use of state drydocks by commercial boats.
Why it matters
Guaranteeing an Annual Canal Navigation Season. By mandating lock and bridge operations from May 1 to November 15, the bill provides predictability for both commercial and recreational canal users, supporting tourism, local economies, and businesses that depend on consistent navigation schedules.
Preserving Historic Infrastructure. The requirement to maintain and preserve the Erie Canal’s historic resources ensures that the canal's unique heritage, structures, and associated landscapes are actively protected, potentially benefiting cultural tourism and community identity.
Expanding Commercial Maintenance Options. Allowing commercial boat companies broader, regulated access to state drydocks and facilities for inspections, repairs, and off-season storage encourages more commercial activity on the canal and could lower maintenance costs for operators, supporting economic development along the canal corridor.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Protect Erie Canal Operations
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Reported referred to ways and means
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
715
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. BUTTENSCHON, CLARK, LUNSFORD, MANKTELOW, STIRPE, WALSH, WOERNER, JENSEN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the canal law, in relation to the general powers and duties of the canal corporation
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 14 of section 10 of the canal law, as amended by chapter 420 of the laws of 1968, is amended and two new subdivisions 6-a and 8-a are added to read as follows:
6-a. Cause the locks and lift bridges of the canal system to be operated annually for the passage of commercial and recreational traffic between May first and November fifteenth, generally, subject to natural conditions, weather, required maintenance, capital rehabilitation work, or other factors related to safe canal operation.
8-a. Maintain and preserve the integrity of the Erie Canal's historic resources, including its structures, floating plant, and unique landside features.
14. Permit boat owners operating upon the canal system to use state drydocks while making emergency repairs to their vessels. Provided, however, that commercial boat companies operating upon the canal system may be permitted to use state drydocks, travel lifts or other facilities for required coast guard drydock inspections, for non-navigation season storage, or while making emergency repairs to their vessels at rates prescribed under subchapter D of chapter III of title twenty-one of the New York state codes, rules, and regulations.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02287-01-5
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.