A 11036 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Grants certain first responders free use of state parks and campsites

The Heroes Park Pass Act grants free access to state parks and campsites for specific groups, including veterans, Gold Star families, individuals with disabilities, and retired first responders. This legislation defines first responders as firefighters, law enforcement officers, paramedics, and other emergency personnel who serve in their professional or volunteer capacities. Eligible individuals can use these public recreation areas under the same terms as the general public but without paying any associated fees. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage to provide these benefits to the designated groups.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Apr 23, 2026 Last action May 20, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

A11036 A11036A · 3 edits
MINOR
This bill expands the list of first responders eligible for free use of New York State parks and campsites. It replaces a specific list of retired law enforcement and fire officials with a broader category of 'first responders' and adds a new definition for this group to include paramedics, EMTs, and dispatchers.
Scope change
The bill broadens the scope of eligibility from specific retired roles (police, fire, correction, ambulance) to a wider range of active and retired first responders, including emergency medical personnel and dispatchers.
ELIGIBILITY

Replaced the specific list of retired law enforcement, correction, and fire officers with a broader category of 'retired first responder' that serves any county, town, city, village, or the state.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'first responder' to explicitly include firefighters, law enforcement officers, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, emergency services dispatchers, and other individuals responding to emergencies.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the act from 'immediately' (Section 3) to a new Section 4, though the effective date remains 'immediately'.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Amendments
2
May 20, 2026
Committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
lower
May 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 11036A
lower
May 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO TOURISM, PARKS, ARTS AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
lower
Apr 23, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO TOURISM, PARKS, ARTS AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors