BILL NUMBER:  S6433

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic
preservation law, in relation to free use of campsites, parks and
other public places of recreation by veterans who hold a federal
Golden Access Passport or a federal Access Pass

 PURPOSE :

To provide that veterans who hold either a federal Golden Access
Passport or a federal Access Pass shall be granted use of public
campsites, parks and other public places of recreation free of charge.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

This bill would amend section 13.19 of the parks, recreation and
historic preservation law, to provide that any veteran who holds a
federal Golden Access Passport or federal Access Pass issued upon a
determination of permanent disability, will enjoy free use of
campsites, parks and other public places of recreation, upon the same
terms and conditions that apply to the general public, but without the
payment of any fees or other charges for such use.

 JUSTIFICATION :

Presently, the federal government has an Access Pass program for
              

disabled individuals. This Access Pass program provides a free,
lifetime pass, to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United
States that have been medically determined to have a permanent
disability, that severely limits one or more major life activities
(such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing,
hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, or working). Such pass
provides access to recreation areas managed by five Federal agencies
(The National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau
of Reclamation, the Fish & Wildlife Service, or the USDA Forest
Service).

In 2007, the Access Pass program replaced a similar program to allow
free access to these recreation areas, known as the Golden Access
Passport Program. Although no longer available (as they have been
replaced by Access Passes) Golden Access Passports are valid for a
lifetime and are still honored in these national recreation areas.
This bill would allow veteran holders of these federal Golden Access
Passports or the Access Pass to also be able to access state
recreational facilities free of charge.

Currently, pursuant to section 13.19 of the parks, recreation and
historic preservation law, any person who is:

*blind;

*non-ambulatory;

*an amputee; or

*a veteran of the wars of the United States, who has at any time been
awarded by the federal government an allowance towards the purchase of
an automobile or is eligible for such an award;

is permitted to use any of the public campsites, parks and other
public places of recreation in New York State, upon the same terms and
conditions as apply to the general public, but without the payment of
any fees or other charges for the use of such campsites, parks and
other public places of recreation.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
2014 S.7617-A Passed Senate

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

Minimal but determined on the usage of this benefit.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act would take effect immediately.