BILL NUMBER:  S136

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law,
in relation to authorizing persons under the age of eighteen to
participate in certain organized racing or competitive events
involving snowmobiles

 PURPOSE :

This act would exempt organized racing or competitive snowmobile
events upon a closed course or in a hill climb or drag race that is
not conducted on a public trail system from the age restrictions of §
25.19 of the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1: This bill would amend the Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation (PRHP) Law by adding a new subparagraph (d) to paragraph
1 of section 25.19 of the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Law.

Section 2: This act shall take effect immediately.

 JUSTIFICATION :
              

Racing and competitive snowmobile events conducted in New York require
a special events permit issued by the Commissioner of the Office of
Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation. Many of these events
involve participation 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 the age of 18 and prohibits
operation by those under 14 years of age without a snowmobile 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 and similar events. Current law has acted as an
impediment for national organizations to hold such events in New York.
It is expected that the Office of Parks would continue to impose
reasonable conditions on permits 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 event permits to carry
a host of conditions that the competition organizer must follow. All
these events are privately insured. A snocross event can generate in
excess of $150,000 for the area that hosts the event.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

2015 S.1850-A Passed the Senate; A1452-A Referred to Tourism, Parks,
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
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 :

None to the State. Provides economic opportunities for the communities
where events are held.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.