New York Assembly Bill A08165

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/5/25
• Refer: 5/5/25
• Report Pass: 6/5/25
• Refer: 6/5/25
• Report Pass: 6/6/25
• Refer: 6/6/25
• Report Pass: 6/9/25
• Engrossed: 6/9/25
• Refer: 6/9/25
• Engrossed: 6/11/25
• Enrolled: 9/5/25
• Chaptered: 9/10/25
• Passed: 9/10/25

Caption

Permits the city of White Plains, Westchester county, to lease certain sports field fences for advertisements.

Summary

This bill amends the General Municipal Law to create a special authorization for the City of White Plains, in Westchester County, to lease the fences around sports fields at Gedney Field on an annual basis for a nominal rent to a New York not-for-profit corporation or organization. The purpose of the lease arrangement is to allow the nonprofit to sell advertising on those fences. The bill directs that the advertising revenues be used solely for the care and maintenance of Gedney Field. It applies only to White Plains and only to the specified sports field fences, and it takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Impact

The bill creates a narrow, locality-specific exception to existing municipal law and any conflicting general, special, local, or charter provisions. It gives White Plains explicit statutory authority to structure a nominal-rent lease of sports field fences for advertising, while restricting the use of proceeds to field upkeep. The practical effect is to provide a dedicated funding stream for maintenance of a public recreational facility without changing statewide rules for other municipalities.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have been received positively and moved through the Legislature with strong support. It was reported favorably out of the Assembly Local Governments, Ways and Means, and Rules committees, then passed the Assembly unanimously. The Senate also approved it overwhelmingly, with only one dissenting vote, suggesting broad agreement on the local benefit and limited scope of the measure.

Contention

There is little evidence of substantive controversy in the available record. The only apparent point that could draw attention is the use of public sports field fences for advertising, which may raise general policy questions about commercialization of public space. However, the bill’s narrow application, nonprofit intermediary, nominal rent, and dedication of revenue to field care likely reduced opposition; the near-unanimous votes indicate no major organized resistance.