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
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Eddie Gibbs
DDemocratic
Co
Michael Durso
RRepublican/Conservative/Independence/Libertarian
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