Senate Bill S3881

                                BILL NUMBER:S3881

TITLE OF BILL:  An act in relation to directing the Commissioner of
the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to provide
Empire Passports to the families of reservists and members of the
National Guard, whose qualified service commenced on or after
September eleventh, two thousand one

PURPOSE:

To honor reservists and members of the National Guard who have fought,
and continue to fight against terrorism, by providing them with an
Empire Passport to enjoy the State's parks, beaches, and other natural
resources free of charge.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 is new legislation.

Section 2 contains the effective date.

JUSTIFICATION:

The Empire Passport Program allowed reservists and their families to
apply for one free Empire Passport allowing free admission to all
state parks and beaches. On March 25, 2011, a change was enacted to
              

the program on the qualification. Now, the benefit is only available
during the time in which a service member is deployed to active duty.
A copy of the orders calling the soldier to active duty is required
for submission of the application. The Passport can then be used by
the soldier once he returns home or by his or her immediate family.

Executive Order 125, issued May 22, 1989, which was expanded by
Governor Pataki on March 24, 2003, directing State Officials to ensure
that the Appropriate Protections and Benefits are extended to Members
of the Reserve Armed Forces of the United States and the Organized
Militia of New York State, was continued under Executive Order 2 of
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.

According to the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation, the reasoning behind the requirement change was to
update the policy to more accurately reflect the Executive Order
governing the program.

This interpretation more closely reflects our states' economic
condition, than the original intent of the order: to provide Empire
Passports to the families of reservists and members of the National
Guard to allow the families of our military personnel to enjoy the
State's parks, beaches and other natural resources free of charge,
because these brave men and women have been, and will continue to be,
called to active duty to fight the ongoing war on terrorism and the
armed conflict with Iraq.

This legislation would restore the previous qualification standard of
eligibility for the Empire Passport Program, in reflection of the
Executive Order created to extend the Patriot Plan Benefits to those
of service to our nation after 9/11.


LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2013-14 - S. 3387/A. 1802 - Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and
Recreation Committee.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Undetermined.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Immediate.