NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A6141
SPONSOR: Ramos TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in
relation to the empire state games
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of the bill is to direct the office of parks, recreation and
historic preservation to fund and conduct the empire state games on an
annual basis and to establish an advisory council to assist the office
in doing so.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS::
The bill amends the parks, recreation and historic preservation law by
adding a new article 8 that directs the commissioner to provide support
for and continue with the conducting, of the empire state games on an
annual basis. Such games shall include, but not be limited to, summer
and winter games for open competition, seniors and handicapped games.
The bill directs the office to seek funding for the games through appro-
priations, gifts, bequests, public/private partnership and the estab-
lishment of a not-for-profit foundation for such purposes. The bill
calls upon the commissioner to establish an advisory council on the
empire state games to research and provide recommendations for the most
efficient and effective manner of conducting the empire state games, as
well as fundraising aspects and locations in which to hold the games.
JUSTIFICATION::
Despite the fact that the empire state games have a return of investment
many times that of the cost to the state, the office of parks, recre-
ation and historic preservation recently cancelled the game due to
staffing cuts. The legislature finds that this action is detrimental not
only to those athletes and coaches that put in countless hours of prepa-
ration to compete in the games, but is also detrimental to the local
economies within the host site areas and to the state's economy as a
whole. Therefore, it is prudent to require that the office continue to
support these games for the good of all state citizens and taxpayers.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
2023-24: A7462 referred to tourism, parks, arts and sports development
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS::
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE::
This act shall take effect immediately.
