Senate Bill S2102

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S2102A

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the public buildings law, in relation to the display
of flags upon the capitol building

 PURPOSE :

To honor veterans by bestowing on them, by request, a flag of the
United States having been flown over the capitol building.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 amends § 3(2) of the Public Buildings Law requiring the
Office of General Services offer the opportunity to display a United
States flag upon the capitol building on a specified date in honor of
an honorably discharged veteran for a fee set by the Commissioner of
General Services. The Commissioner shall also prescribe a form for
such purpose indicating the name of the veteran to be honored and
describing the reason why such veteran has been selected for
recognition.

Section 2 provides the effective date.

 EXISTING LAW :
              

Section 3 of the Public Buildings Law establishes the general powers
and duties of the Commissioner of General Services.

Subsection 2 of § 3 of the Public Buildings Law authorizes the
Commissioner to cause the flags of the state, to be displayed up on
the capitol building during daily sessions of the legislature and on
public occasions, and cause the necessary flagstaffs to be erected
therefor. Cause the flag on the United State to be appropriately
displayed at all times in the Senate chamber and in the Assembly
chamber. Cause the flag of the United State to be appropriately
displayed up on the walls of any hall or other meeting place in a
public building under his supervision and control during any meeting
or gathering of persons to which the public is invited. The necessary
expenses incurred thereby shall be paid out of the treasury on the
warrant of the comptroller.

 JUSTIFICATION :

The heroism of our country's veterans cannot be over-exaggerated and
for all of their efforts and sacrifices these servicemen and women
deserve our highest regard and praise. In an effort to support and
ensure New York State's continued commemoration of the invaluable
legacy of service performed by our country's veterans, this bill
requires the Office of General Services to fly a flag over the state
capitol in their honor at the request of a loved one.

Currently, it is the practice of the office of General Services to fly
a United States flag over the State Capitol for a requesting party at
a fee. This legislation codifies that convention in the Public
Buildings Law by requiring that the Office of General Services offer
the opportunity to display a United States State flag over the capitol
building honoring a veteran for a particular purpose on a specified
date.

Veterans deserve infinite accolades for their indelible commitment to
the country. This measure provides an additional way to grant them the
appropriate honors. For all of the aforementioned reasons it is
essential that this bill is enacted.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

2015-2016: S.6224 Passed the Senate/A.9526 Referred to Governmental
Operations

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.