BILL NUMBER: S4697
SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in
relation to creating the "Checkout NY" pass, a comprehensive pass that
allows for free or discounted use of state parks, historic sites and
recreational facilities, and provides one such pass to each consol-
idated, federated and cooperative public library system within the state
free of charge for circulation
 
PURPOSE:
Allows local libraries to circulate the "Checkout NY" pass to their
patrons, which would allow the pass holder to access to any state park
or historical site operated by the office or department of environmental
conservation. This pass would provide access to these sites without
additional fees offered by the office for up to one year.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the parks, recreation, and historic preservation law by
adding a new section, 13.32, which creates the "Checkout NY" pass allow-
ing the pass holder admission without additional fee to any state park,
historical site, and recreational facility. Passes will be available to
purchase at the New York Public Library system. This bill provides all
NY public libraries one pass to circulate, as well as the opportunity to
purchase additional passes to circulate.
Section 2 provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In communities across New York State, libraries are becoming far more
than just a place for books to call home; they are trusted community
institutions that serve a wide variety of needs to their patrons and
community members. As libraries look to diversify what they offer and
create collections that serve a variety of needs, expanding the access
to the cultural heritage of New York is a priority. With the creation of
the "Checkout NY" pass, libraries across New York State will be able to
offer their patrons free access to the cultural, historical and environ-
mental highlights of our state or for reduced admission to any state
park, historical site or recreational facility operated by the state.
This pass would allow families of all socio-economic status to access
New York's world-class cultural facilities, while allowing libraries to
add additional passes into circulation at a reasonable cost.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Unknown at this time.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately