BILL NUMBER:S7810

TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the tax law and the state finance law, in relation to
authorizing a tax check-off for gifts to the explore the cosmos New
York fund; to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to
authorizing the issuance of distinctive "Explore the Cosmos New York"
license plates; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon
expiration thereof

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Require New York State to commemorate the contribution of New Yorkers
to the Space Shuttle Program and NASA space exploration by creating a
designated fund for the Science and Education Center that will house
the Space Shuttle Enterprise at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space
Museum.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1: amends tax law by adding section 625-a to authorize the
contribution of tax refund donation to the "Explore the Cosmos New
York" fund for the Science and Education Center that will house the
Space Shuttle Enterprise at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

Section2: amends state finance law by adding section 81 to authorize
the creation of the "Explore the Cosmos New York Fund" to be jointly
held in custody by the Office of State Comptroller and Department of
              

Tax and Finance. The fund will be created by check-off donations via
tax returns and the sale of commemorative license plates celebrating
New York's contribution to space program.

Section 3: amends vehicle and traffic law by adding new section 404-x
which authorizes the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles to
issue a commemorative license plate celebrating New York State's
contribution to the national space exploration program and NASA Space
Shuttle Program. Funds from the sale of these plates will go towards
the "Explore the Cosmos New York Fund" as described in Section 81 of
state finance law.

JUSTIFICATION:
New York State has a rich history of contributing outstanding talent
to the Space Shuttle Program, therefore, there is a need for
legislation that will require New York to commemorate the State's
contributions to space exploration and create a dedicated and
voluntary donation option on tax forms that will support the Science
and Education Center that will house the Space Shuttle Enterprise at
the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

The only two women to ever command a space shuttle both call Elmira
and Rochester, New York their home. The last pilot of the Atlantis
(July 2011 mission), the historic last space shuttle mission, is a
native New Yorker who was born in Endicott, in the southern tier. New
York has a long history of contributing outstanding talent to our
nation's work to explore space and this is very clear when we review
the list of talented people that have helped make the Space Shuttle
Program and International Space Station a reality and a success.


New York has contributed more astronauts to the Space Shuttle Program
than any other state. Combined 30 astronauts, born and raised in New
Yorker, have participated in 75 Space Shuttle missions that have
yielded tremendous research activity, new discoveries and the
completion of the International Space Station. New York State needs to
honor and commemorate its contributions to this historic achievement
for humanity.

This legislation, if enacted into law, would create a special pool of
money called the Explore the Cosmos New York Fund which would be
funded through voluntary donations made through a check-off box that
will be required to appear in New York State tax forms.

The second part of the proposed legislation will direct the New York
State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to create a commemorative
license plate that captures the participation of New York State
industry and residents in the Space Shuttle Program. DMV will be
required to design and to issue this commemorative plate by July 8,
2013, the two-year anniversary of the launch of last Space shuttle
mission. DMV will assign a fee for the purchase of this plate and
excess funds collected after production costs will go to the Explore
the Cosmos NY Fund.

The funds collected for the Explore the Cosmos New York program will
be held by the Office of the New York State Comptroller and made
available yearly to the Science and Education Center that will house
the Space Shuttle Enterprise at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space
Museum.

The Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC, is giving up the prototype
Enterprise Space Shuttle to New York City's Intrepid Museum."
Enterprise was used for test flights in the 1970s. It is expected that
this new addition to the museum will generate tens of thousands of
additional tourist visits to the museum and New York State.
Unfortunately, currently the housing of the Enterprise at the Intrepid
Museum is in jeopardy due to the museums limited space and budget.
This fund will help bring the Enterprise to its proper home.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New legislation.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
NONE. This legislation will actually generate income for science
museum that will help generate more tourism visits and spending in
NYS.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This bill will take effect immediately and sunsets in 8 years.