Establishes a nine member commission to rename the Robert Moses State Park to reflect on the history of Long Island.
Summary
This bill would authorize the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to create a temporary nine-member commission to recommend a new name for Robert Moses State Park on Long Island. The commission would be tasked with selecting a name that clearly reflects the history of Long Island, and it would be composed of appointees from state and local officials, including the governor, legislative leaders, the Suffolk County executive, and the parks commissioner.
The commission would be empowered to hold hearings, conduct studies, and request assistance and data from state and local agencies as needed. Within six months after all members are appointed, it must submit its name recommendation to the parks commissioner, the Senate and Assembly leaders, and the Suffolk County executive. Once a name is chosen, the parks commissioner must take the steps necessary to implement the renaming. The act would take effect immediately and then expire automatically after the park is renamed.
Impact
The bill would not directly rename the park in statute; instead, it creates a temporary process to generate and implement a new official name through the parks commissioner. It affects the authority of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and requires cooperation from state and local entities, while also triggering a technical repeal once the renaming is completed. The measure would primarily affect the official designation of Robert Moses State Park and any related state records, signage, and administrative references.
Sentiment
The bill appears to reflect a generally supportive or reform-minded sentiment toward renaming the park, with the stated goal of choosing a name that better reflects Long Island’s history. Because there are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided context, there is no documented formal opposition or support level from legislative debate. The structure of the bill suggests an effort to create a deliberative and inclusive process rather than impose a name change directly.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the renaming itself, since Robert Moses is a historically significant and controversial figure in New York public policy and infrastructure history. Supporters would likely favor replacing the current name to better align the park with Long Island’s heritage, while opponents may view the change as unnecessary, symbolic, or as an erasure of historical recognition. A secondary issue is the commission-based process, which distributes appointment power among multiple officials and may raise questions about representation, local input, and the criteria used to select the new name.
Authorizes the commissioner of education to conduct a survey regarding instruction on Asian American, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander history within the state; establishes an Asian American, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander history advisory committee; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.
Authorizes the commissioner of education to conduct a survey regarding instruction on Asian American, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander history within the state; establishes an Asian American, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander history advisory committee; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.
Establishes the New York state Black history preservation commission to ensure the documentation and preservation of Black history in New York state within the state university of New York.