BILL NUMBER: S4722A
SPONSOR: FAHY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the arts and cultural affairs law, in relation to renam-
ing agency building one, agency building two, agency building three and
agency building four, located at the empire state plaza
 
PURPOSE:
To rename agency buildings one through four at the Empire state plaza.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 adds a new subdivision 12 to section 4.07 of the arts and
cultural affairs law to provide a process for renaming agency building
one through four on the Empire State plaza. Section 2 is the effective
date which is one hundred and eight days after enactment.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza is one of the most
spectacular capital centers in the country. It contains major buildings
like the Egg Performance Center, Cultural Education Center as well as
office space for thousands of state employees Many of the Plaza build-
ings are named after famous people including Erastus Corning, the long-
est tenured mayor of any large city the United States (Corning Tower)
and Robert Abrams , a long time State Attorney General, (The Robert
Abrams Building for Law and Justice ). The four building that house
thousands of state employees are named 1,2,3, and 4. The naming of
building simple numbers misses a great opportunity to educate New York-
ers. This legislation honors New York's most significant natural
resource, its famous rivers. The founding of the state is directly
linked to the Hudson River and other rivers have served as economic
drivers of the country.
This bill sets up a process for the selection of the names by using an
existing Commission. The Commission will recommend river designations to
the Governor. She will be the ultimate decision maker. New Yorkers who
visit will be reminded of the great natural resources of the Empire
State.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S8722 of 2023-24, referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and
recreation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
One hundred and eighty days after enactment.

Statutes affected:
S4722: 4.07 arts and cultural affairs law, 4.07(11) arts and cultural affairs law
S4722A: 4.07 arts and cultural affairs law, 4.07(11) arts and cultural affairs law