Provides annual vehicular access for New York state's active volunteer firefighters and active volunteer ambulance workers and their immediate family at any state park or recreational facility.
Summary
This bill would require the state agency with jurisdiction over a state park or recreational facility to provide, without charge, an annual vehicular access pass to active volunteer firefighters and active volunteer ambulance workers who received service credit in the prior year under a qualifying service award program. The free pass would also extend to their immediate family. The bill applies to state parks and recreational facilities that already have authority to issue annual vehicular access passes.
To qualify, an individual must be a resident of New York and meet the existing statutory definitions of active volunteer firefighter or active volunteer ambulance worker. The bill directs the relevant state office or agency to adopt any rules and regulations needed to implement the new benefit, and it would take effect 120 days after becoming law.
Impact
The bill would amend the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law by adding a new section requiring free annual vehicular access passes for eligible volunteer emergency responders and their immediate family members. It would create a new statewide benefit tied to existing volunteer service award programs under the General Municipal Law, while leaving the underlying definitions of volunteer firefighter and volunteer ambulance worker unchanged. State park and recreational facility operators would need to adjust pass issuance procedures and implement any necessary administrative rules.
Sentiment
The available context suggests generally positive sentiment toward the bill, as reflected in its purpose of providing a benefit to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers who serve their communities. No committee transcript or recorded vote is available here, so there is no evidence of formal opposition or amendment debate in the provided materials. The bill’s framing indicates support for volunteer emergency services and recognition of their public service.
Contention
The main potential points of contention are administrative and fiscal rather than ideological: whether the state should waive parking or access fees, how the benefit would affect park revenue, and how agencies would verify eligibility and immediate-family coverage. Another possible issue is the bill’s limitation to volunteers who received prior-year service credit under specific service award programs, which could exclude otherwise active volunteers who do not meet that criterion. No specific objections are documented in the provided record.
Same As
Provides annual vehicular access for New York state's active volunteer firefighters and active volunteer ambulance workers and their immediate family at any state park or recreational facility.
Provides annual vehicular access for New York state's active volunteer firefighters and active volunteer ambulance workers and their immediate family at any state park or recreational facility.
Provides annual vehicular access for New York state's active volunteer firefighters and active volunteer ambulance workers and their immediate family at any state park or recreational facility.
Extends tuition free course benefits to volunteer firefighters or voluntary ambulance workers; authorizes the board of trustees of the state university to regulate the conferral of such benefits.
Relates to annual vehicular access for active duty service members; requires annual passes be issued to active duty service members and their immediate families at state parks or recreational facilities upon presentation of a military identification card.
Establishes a statewide program to provide free SUNY, CUNY, and community college tuition to active volunteer firefighters, volunteer emergency medical services providers, and volunteer auxiliary police officers.
Extends the effectiveness of certain sections of law relating to real property tax exemptions for real property owned by volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers.