BILL NUMBER: S1937

SPONSOR: LITTLE
 
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 Preserva-
tion 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 compe-
tition 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:

2017-18: S.136/A.4503: Passed Senate; Died Assembly Tourism, Parks, Arts
& Sports Development

2015 S.1850-A Passed Senate; A1452-A Referred to Tourism, Parks, Arts
and Sports Development

2013-14: S. 1364 Referred to Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recre-
ation; A. 175 Referred to Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development

2011-12: S.554 Passed Senate; S. 5487 Tourism, Arts and Sports Develop-
ment

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.