Allows veterans of the armed forces of the United States to fish for free in state parks under the jurisdiction of a state agency.
Summary
A03223 would amend New York’s parks, recreation and historic preservation law to require the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to allow eligible veterans to fish for free at state parks, including parks under the jurisdiction of other state agencies. The bill defines eligible veterans by reference to the Veterans’ Services Law, covering veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, certain veterans with qualifying conditions, and discharged LGBT veterans who meet the statutory criteria.
The measure also directs the office to adopt any rules and regulations needed to implement the free-fishing benefit. It would take effect 90 days after becoming law, with immediate authorization for any necessary regulatory action before the effective date.
Impact
The bill would create a new statutory exemption from fishing fees or related access charges for qualifying veterans at state parks and other state-run park facilities. It would add a new section 13.32 to the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law and require agency rulemaking to administer the benefit consistently across state parks under state jurisdiction.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests strong support for the bill: the Assembly Tourism, Arts and Sports Development Committee reported it favorably by a 19-0 vote and referred it to Ways and Means. No committee transcript is available, but the unanimous committee vote indicates broad bipartisan or cross-party agreement on the proposal’s general purpose of providing a benefit to veterans.
Contention
There is little visible opposition in the available record. The main practical issues are likely administrative and fiscal: whether the state should absorb the lost revenue from free fishing access, how the exemption will be verified and enforced, and whether the benefit should apply uniformly across all state parks and agencies. Any debate would likely center on implementation details rather than the underlying policy of honoring veterans with free fishing access.
Relates to certificates of honorable separation from or service in the armed forces of the United States; provides that such certificates shall be forwarded to the appropriate local veterans' service agency within 60 days of receipt.
Relates to certificates of honorable separation from or service in the armed forces of the United States; provides that such certificates shall be forwarded to the appropriate local veterans' service agency within 60 days of receipt.
Creates a distinctive license plate for veterans honoring Borinqueneers; defines "veteran" as a person who is a resident of this state, who served in the armed forces of the United States, and was honorably discharged from the armed forces, or has a qualifying condition, as defined in section one of the veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service, or is a discharged LGBT veteran, as defined in section one of the veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service.
Includes the Space Force as being members of the armed forces or veterans eligible for certain credits and benefits that are available to other active and veteran members of the armed forces.
Includes the Space Force as being members of the armed forces or veterans eligible for certain credits and benefits that are available to other active and veteran members of the armed forces.