BILL NUMBER: S1071
SPONSOR: SERRANO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in
relation to establishing the state parks passport program
 
PURPOSE:
This bill would create a state parks passport program, through which
visitors to New York's state parks could log their visits. By encourag-
ing visitors to acquire passport stamps at every New York State Park,
this program would spur increased visitation to state parks throughout
New York State and help ease high use at our State's anchor parks.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill establishes the state parks passport program. The
passport wilt take the form or a printed book or an electronic app, and
details the funding source for the creation of the book or the app. It
also authorizes the Parks Commissioner to highlight subsets of the state
parks each year, centered around a theme. It also authorizes the Parks
Commissioner to create regulations for the passport program.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
With over one hundred state parks offering a vast array of recreational
activities and scenic beauty, New York's state parks offer visitors
access to some of the most impressive and enjoyable natural areas in the
nation. A state park passport program would bring more visitors to New
York State parks by encouraging park attendees to venture around the
state to earn passport stamps. A passport program can help drive inter-
est in state parks across the state, inviting our 78 million annual park
patrons to new experiences and corners of New York.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:ò
2023-24: S.261 - Passed Senate. Died in Assembly.
2021-22: S.5031 - Veto Memo. 72
2020: S.1567: Referred to Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recre-
ation
2019: S.1567 - Referred to Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recre-
ation, Referred to Finance
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal.
 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shalt take effect immediately.