BILL NUMBER: S9685
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 PROVISIONS:
Section 1 adds a new subdivision 12 to section 3.05 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 provides for the effective date which is one hundred 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 thou-
sands of state employees are named 1,2,3, and 4. The naming of building
simple numbers misses a great opportunity to educate New Yorkers. This
legislation honors New York's most significant natural resource and/or
historical events.
This bill sets up a process for the selection of the names by using an
existing Council. The Council will recommend options to the Governor.
She will be the ultimate decision maker after a robust public engagement
process. New Yorkers who the Capital complex visit will be reminded of
the great natural resources and historical events of the Empire State.
This bill attempts to tackle all the issues that Governor Hochul
expressed in her veto (58) of 2025.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A9059 of 2024, referred to tourism, parks, arts and sports development
Page 1 of 2
A1914 of 2025 - Veto 58 (of a similar bill)
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect one hundred days after it shall have become a
law.

Statutes affected:
S9685: 3.05 arts and cultural affairs law