BILL NUMBER: S8220
SPONSOR: RYAN S
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to reducing tuition rates
for certain Olympic athletes
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to provide for in-state tuition at public
universities and colleges for Olympic athletes training in New York
State.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: amends paragraph h of subdivision 2 of section 355 of the
education law to define "Team USA athlete" and "international athlete"
and stipulates that such individuals will be eligible for in-state
tuition at SUNY institutions.
Section 2: amends Subdivision 7 of section 6206 of the education law
such that the same benefits are available at the City University of New
York.
Section 3: effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York State has a rich Olympic tradition having hosted the Winter
Olympics at Lake Placid in 1932 and 1980. This bill intends to keep New
York competitive with states such as California, Colorado, and Utah that
provide in-state tuition to US Olympic athletes in training. In addi-
tion, this bill would extend the opportunity for in-state tuition to
international Olympic athletes. This is in recognition of the fact that
Lake Placid is utilized by international elite athletes for their train-
ing, due in part to the high quality of the Lake Placid facilities and
the high regard in which international elite winter athletes hold Lake
Placid. Offering this benefit to US and international Olympic-level
athletes will help to further Lake Placid's national and international
reputation, and increase the likelihood that both US and international
elite athletes will choose to study in New York while they continue
their training.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date
on which it shall have become a law.

Statutes affected:
S8220: 6206 education law, 6206(7) education law