What's happening
This amendment requires legislative approval for any changes in the state agency managing or overseeing any part of the barge canal system.
Why it matters
Increases legislative oversight. By requiring legislative approval for any changes in which state agency manages or oversees the barge canal system, the amendment ensures that such decisions are made transparently and with input from elected representatives, not just administrative or executive action.
Limits executive branch discretion. The change restricts the governor or administrative agencies from unilaterally reassigning control or oversight of the canal system, potentially preventing politically motivated or expedient agency transfers.
Could impact policy continuity and expertise. Requiring legislative approval may slow down or complicate efforts to restructure canal management, possibly preserving institutional knowledge and stability but also making reforms more difficult in response to changing needs.
Reflects the canal’s significance. The extra layer of legislative scrutiny underscores the historical, economic, and environmental importance of the barge canal system to New York State, signaling a commitment to its careful stewardship.
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Who cares
State agencies and subdivisions managing the barge canal
The proposed constitutional amendment would require legislative approval before management and control of any canal portion could shift to a different agency or subdivision.
State legislators
They would gain explicit approval authority over changes in agency responsibility for canal management, maintenance and oversight.
Canal permit holders and lessees
They would retain the existing constitutional provision allowing legislatively authorized revocable permits and leases, while changes in the agency managing their canal locations would require legislative approval.
Headline styles
Protect State Canal Lands
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
943
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. LUNSFORD, JENSEN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to section 1 of article 15 of the constitution, in relation to the disposition of barge canal lands, barge canal terminals or barge canal terminal lands
Section 1. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That section 1 of article 15 of the constitution be amended to read as follows:
Section 1. The legislature shall not sell, abandon or otherwise dispose of the now existing or future improved barge canal, the divisions of which are the Erie canal, the Oswego canal, the Champlain canal, and the Cayuga and Seneca canals, or of the terminals constructed as part of the barge canal system; nor shall it sell, abandon or otherwise dispose of any portion of the canal system existing prior to the barge canal improvement which portion forms a part of, or functions as a part of, the present barge canal system; but such canals and terminals shall remain the property of the state and under its management and control forever. Legislative approval shall be obtained for any change in the state agency or agency subdivision which has management and control, including but not limited to management and control over its maintenance and oversight, of any portion of the barge canal. This prohibition shall not prevent the legislature, by appropriate laws, from authorizing the granting of revocable permits or leases for periods of time as authorized by the legislature for the occupancy or use of such lands or structures.
§ 2. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89014-01-5
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.