New York Assembly Bill A04660

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/4/25
• Refer: 2/4/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Relates to the trustees of the Freeholders and the Commonalty of the town of Southampton, county of Suffolk; provides that the trustees of the Freeholders and Commonalty of the town of Southampton have and shall continue to have the authority to enforce the public's easement and access upon the ocean beaches within the town of Southampton, including all rights of the public with respect to the said ocean beaches which were conferred upon them by the Dongan Patent of 1686; defines "ocean beaches".

Summary

Bill A04660 clarifies and confirms the authority of the trustees of the Freeholders and Commonalty of the town of Southampton regarding the management and enforcement of public access to ocean beaches. It establishes that the trustees have the rights to the underwater lands and the products thereof, as well as the ability to enforce the public's easement on these beaches, which were granted by the Dongan Patent of 1686. The bill also formally extinguishes the Trustees for the Proprietors of the town of Southampton, which no longer exist as a body politic, and reinforces the trustees' ownership rights over the waters and products within the town.

Impact

The bill impacts state laws by clarifying the historical and contemporary powers of the trustees of the Freeholders and Commonalty of Southampton, ensuring that public access to ocean beaches is maintained and enforced. It reaffirms the ownership rights of the trustees over underwater lands and the authority to manage these resources, while also ensuring that the powers of incorporated villages within Southampton are not affected by this legislation.

Sentiment

The sentiment around Bill A04660 appears to be generally supportive, as it seeks to clarify longstanding legal ambiguities regarding beach access and ownership. However, the lack of recorded votes or committee discussions leaves some uncertainty about the level of contention or opposition that may exist among stakeholders.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise regarding the balance of authority between the trustees and incorporated villages within Southampton, as the bill explicitly states that it does not affect the powers of these villages. Stakeholders from local communities may have differing views on how beach access and management should be handled, particularly in relation to private property rights and public use.