BILL NUMBER:S1850

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic
preservation law, in relation to authorizing persons under the age of
fourteen to participate in special events involving snowmobiles

PURPOSE:

Section 1 This bill would amend the Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation (PRHP) by allowing a person who is less than fourteen
years of age to operate a snowmobile as a participant in a special
event (as defined in Section 21.05 of PRHP Law) provided that: the
special event is held in accordance with any relevant statutes, rules
and regulations; the PRHP Commissioner authorized the event; he/she
obtains written consent of his or her parent or legal guardian; and
the PREP Commissioner adopts rules and regulations relating to such
participants. The PRHP Commissioner must review and consider those
rules and regulations published by internal organizations that promote
such events, including but not limited to, the International Series of
Champions and the International Snowmobile Racing Association.

Section 2 Contains the effective date

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

This act would permit youngsters who are less than 14 years of age to
              

participate in special events for snowmobiles.

JUSTIFICATION:

This bill is to bring New York's Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation law up to date with current practices for persons who are
under 14 years of age to participate in special events for snowmobiles
(known as snocross). The two international organizations that create
the rules for snocross permit youngsters as young as four to
participate in the programs. Eligibility requirements for special
events would have rules established by the OPRHP Commissioner and
would be conducted in accordance with those rules and permit
requirements. The international groups operate programs to teach
youngsters what is involved in a weekend of racing, sportsmanship, and
proper snowmobile operations and safety. The program eligibility would
be similar to those already in practice for motocross, including age
requirements. By changing the age eligibility, snocross would have
similar age requirements as motocross, ATVs and motorcycles. The
governing body for each sport has determined the age requirements for
participation to ensure learning and training, and appropriate
appreciation for the sport. A snocross event can generate in excess of
$150,000 for the area that hosts the event.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2010: S.7430 Finance; A. 10015 Tourism, Arts and Sports Development
2011-12:  S.554 Passed Senate; S. 5487 Tourism, Arts and Sports
Development
2013-14: S. 1364 Referred to Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and
Recreation; A. 175 Referred to Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports
Development


FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Provides economic opportunities for the communities where events are
held.

LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Provides economic opportunities for the communities where events are
held.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect immediately.

                                BILL NUMBER:S1850A

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic
preservation law, in relation to authorizing persons under the age of
fourteen to participate in special events involving snowmobiles

PURPOSE:

This act would make it explicit that the commissioner's authority
extends to the age of operation during competitive events and would
allow the commissioner to impose reasonable conditions on the permit.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 This bill would amend the Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation (PRHP) Law by expanding the Commissioner's authority
under section 21.11 regarding the issuing of special event permits.

Section 2 contains the effective date.

JUSTIFICATION:

In 2013-14, 74 special event permits were issued by the Office. Many
of these events involve participation in a competitive event by those
less than 18 years of age. Section 25.19 of the Parks Recreation and
Historic Preservation Law limits the operation of snowmobiles by
              

persons under 18 years of age and prohibits operation by those under
14 years of age without a safety certificate. This bill will bring New
York's Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation law up to date with
current practices for competitive events where many youth less than 14
years of age professionally compete in snocross events. It is expected
that the Office would impose reasonable conditions on the permit such
as consistency with the two international organizations that create
the rules and guidelines for these competitive events and require the
permission of parents or legal guardians. It is not uncommon for
special use permits to carry a host of conditions that the competition
organizer must follow. A snocross event can generate in excess of
$150,000 for the area that hosts the event.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2013-14: S. 1364 Referred to Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and
Recreation; A. 175 Referred to Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports
Development
2011-12: S.554 Passed Senate; S. 5487 Tourism, Arts and Sports
Development
2010: S.7430 Finance; A. 10015 Tourism, Arts and Sports Development

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Provides economic opportunities for the communities where events are
held.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect immediately.