Senate Bill S8058

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S8058

SPONSOR: RITCHIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law and
the education law, in relation to creating the explorer empire passport

 
PURPOSE:

This bill seeks to encourage New Yorkers and their families to explore
the many facilities that are offered at State parks, and encourage
outdoor activity.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 adds a new section to the parks, recreation, and historic
preservation law, to create the explorer empire passport. This section
requires the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, to
provide public libraries with a minimum of two such passports at no
cost, for library members to withdraw. The passports will be valid as
              

free two-day entry pass, or passes for one night of camping, to state
parks and historic sites. The passport will be valid for up to six fami-
ly members of the same household. At least one family member in such
household must have a library card registered with the library from
which the passport is withdrawn.

Section 2 adds a new section to the education law to require public
libraries to make the empire passports available for registered library
members in accordance with section 1 of this bill. This section also
subjects explorer empire passports to each library's return policy.

Section 3 provides the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Encouraging greater use of state parks promotes a healthier lifestyle
for local communities and visitors alike. State parks provide physical
benefits, giving families areas to recreate and exercise.  Further, our
State parks are some of the most beautiful in the nation, including
parks that have been ranked first and third in beauty nationally. This
program encourages New Yorkers who have not been to a State park to
gather as families and communities to walk, hike, swim, and play while
enjoying the historic beauty of New York's public lands.

In addition to the measurable health benefits our parks provide, New
York's State parks represent a vital source of revenue. According to the
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, visitor spending
alone supported roughly 45,000 state park system jobs and added $2.4
billion to the state's GDP from April 2015 through March 2016. Those who
visit state parks contribute significantly to business in the surround-
ing community. From restaurants and grocery stores to sporting goods
stores, visitors to our state parks spend their vacation dollars in the
communities surrounding the parks, increasing business and job opportu-
nities for the members of those local communities.

By creating an Explorer Empire Passport available through our public
libraries, this bill will attract New Yorkers and their families, who
would not otherwise visit, to state parks. This bill also follows twelve
other states, which have already established a State park pass checkout
program. In turn, this bill spurs economic growth around the parks,
benefitting our communities and their businesses, while promoting health
and wellbeing through greater access to recreational opportunities. As a
result of increased revenue and the limited number of passports per
public library, the cost of the program will be minimal.

Ultimately, local communities will have greater accessibility to take
advantage of the benefits afforded by their local state parks. New York-
ers from other parts of the state will be encouraged to travel the
state, contribute to these local communities, and experience the natural
benefits that New York State has to offer.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Minimal.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have
become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addi-
tion, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for
the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and
directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.