BILL NUMBER: S4528
SPONSOR: SCARCELLA-SPANTON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the veterans' services law, in relation to free use of
state parks, recreation facilities and historic sites by veterans
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would allow resident veterans of the state to use all parks,
recreational facilities, or historic sites, under the jurisdiction of
the state office of parks, recreation and historic preservation or the
department of environmental conservation, free of charge.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This bill would entitle all veterans who are residents of the state to
use all parks, recreational facilities, or historic sites under the
jurisdiction of the office of parks, recreation and historic preserva-
tion or the department of environmental conservation without the payment
of any fee. It would direct both of these agencies to establish a
program to promote the free use by veterans of the parks, recreational
facilities and historic sites under their jurisdiction and provide
information to veterans as to how they may take advantage of this bene-
fit. Finally, this bill would require the office of parks, recreation
and historic preservation and the department of environmental conserva-
tion to promulgate rules and regulations to administer free access for
veterans to state parks, parks, recreational facilities, or historic
sites in consultation with the department of veterans' services.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Under current law, free use of state recreational facilities is limited
to campsites and only available to veterans who have received an automo-
bile allowance from the federal government. This bill expands the bene-
fit of free use to parks, recreational facilities and historic sites to
all the state's veterans.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024; Held in Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the
date on which 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 an effective date.