S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
7448
I N S E N A T E
May 2, 2016
___________
Introduced by Sen. AMEDORE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism,
Parks and Recreation
AN ACT to establish a blue ribbon commission on fair competition in the
outdoor recreation industry; and providing for the repeal of such
provisions upon the expiration thereof
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. a. The legislature hereby declares that fair competition in
the outdoor recreation industry is important and desirable and that
issues surrounding the public ownership of outdoor recreational facili-
ties, including but not limited to, golf, ski and camping facilities and
the impact of such facilities on privately owned outdoor recreational
facilities should be examined. As such, it is determined that a blue
ribbon commission on competitive issues relating to the public ownership
of outdoor recreational facilities shall be established to examine
whether such facilities enjoy unfair competitive advantages and make
recommendations regarding methods to address any such unfair competitive
advantages. Such commission shall submit a report and recommendations to
the governor and the legislature upon completion of such examination.
b. A blue ribbon commission on fair competition in the outdoor recre-
ation industry is hereby established to examine, evaluate and make
recommendations regarding methods to promote fair competition in the
outdoor recreation industry. For purposes of this act "outdoor recre-
ation industry" shall include, but not be limited to, golf, camping and
ski facilities. The subject areas to be examined by the commission shall
include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) a comparison of the following between public and privately owned
outdoor recreational facilities:
(a) tax treatment;
(b) equipment cost differences;
(c) advertising and promotion costs;
(d) personnel and employee benefit costs;
(e) interest and borrowing costs;
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11986-02-6
S. 7448 2
(f) insurance costs; and
(g) any other costs identified by commission members which may differ
between public and privately owned recreational facilities;
(2) an evaluation of the impact of various costs differences between
public and privately owned recreational facilities on fair competition
in the outdoor recreation industry;
(3) an evaluation and comparison of prices and fees charged by public
and privately owned outdoor recreational facilities and whether any
reduced prices and fees charged by publicly owned facilities are
intended to gain a competitive advantage over other facilities and an
evaluation of the impact of any differences in prices and fees on fair
competition in the outdoor recreation industry;
(4) an evaluation of the current economic impact of the outdoor recre-
ation industry in New York state with public and privately owned facili-
ties separately delineated; and
(5) any other matters deemed relevant by the commission.
c. The blue ribbon commission on fair competition in the outdoor
recreation industry shall be composed of eleven members. The members,
each to serve a term of one year, shall be appointed as follows: three
members shall be appointed by the governor; three members shall be
appointed by the temporary president of the senate; three members shall
be appointed by the speaker of the assembly; one member shall be
appointed by the minority leader of the senate and one member shall be
appointed by the minority leader of the assembly. The commission shall
elect a chair, a vice-chair and a secretary from amongst its members. In
making appointments to the commissioner, the governor, temporary presi-
dent of the senate, speaker of the assembly, minority leader of the
senate and minority leader of the assembly shall ensure that the inter-
ests of owners of privately owned outdoor recreational facilities, enti-
ties who own or operate publicly funded outdoor recreational facilities
and consumers are represented on the commission. Notwithstanding the
provisions of section 74 of the public officers law, section 806 of the
general municipal law or any other provision of law, membership on the
commission of any state or municipal officer or employee shall not
constitute a violation of any code of ethics or conflict of interest.
The commission shall meet at least monthly. Vacancies in the membership
of the commission and among its officers shall be filled in the manner
provided for original appointments.
d. The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for
their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to this act.
e. The blue ribbon commission on fair competition in the outdoor
recreation industry shall make a report to the governor and the legisla-
ture of its findings, conclusions and recommendations on or before
December 31, 2017.
S 2. The New York State Empire State Development Corporation shall
provide the commission with such facilities, assistance, and data as
will enable the commission to carry out its powers and duties. Addi-
tionally, all other departments or agencies of the state or subdivisions
thereof shall, at the request of chair, provide the commission with such
facilities, assistance and data as will enable the commission to carry
out its' powers and duties.
S 3. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
deemed repealed January 1, 2018.
