Gives state residents reservation preference for state parks and recreational facilities

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Andrea Bailey and 14 co-sponsors

A.11052 creates a state-resident reservation preference for NY state park cabins and campsites, allowing residents to book up to 10 months in advance (non-residents up to 9) with I

REFERRED TO TOURISM, PARKS, ARTS AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

Overview

Bill number and session: A.11052, 2025-2026

Jurisdiction: New York

Sponsor: Assembly member Andrea Bailey (co-sponsor)

Committee: Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development

Purpose (stated): To grant state residents a reservation preference for cabins, campsites, and related recreational facilities within New York state parks.

What the bill would do (Key provisions)

New authority on reservations (Section 13.22 added):

The Commissioner of Parks or the state agency overseeing a state park or recreational facility would have a new power to modify the reservation system for state park cabins and campsites. This includes accommodations for:
- RV camping
- Tent camping
- Boat camping
- Equestrian camping

Reservation priority for New York residents:

New York residents: Reservations allowed up to ten months in advance.
Non-state residents: Reservations allowed up to nine months in advance.

Verification for extended advance bookings:

If a New York resident wants to book a cabin or campsite more than nine months in advance, they must present a valid New York State driver’s license or New York State ID at check-in.

Effective date and implementation

Effective date: May 1 of the year following enactment (i.e., first of May next succeeding the date it becomes law).

Regulatory actions: The act explicitly authorizes, and in some cases requires, the rapid adoption or adjustment of rules and regulations necessary to implement the act, with such rules to be in place by the effective date.

Who is affected

Primary beneficiaries: New York state residents seeking to reserve park cabins, campsites, RV sites, tent sites, boat camps, or equestrian camping facilities.

Secondary beneficiaries/participants: Non-state residents who use state parks, and park administrators who would implement the new reservation structure and verification requirements.

Potential impact and considerations

Access and equity: The policy creates a clear priority for state residents in advance reservations, which could improve predictability and access for residents but may constrain availability for non-residents.

Administrative changes: State park offices and relevant agencies would need to adjust reservation systems to implement the 10-month vs. 9-month timelines and the required ID verification for extended bookings.

Compliance and verification: The driver’s license or state ID verification adds an identification requirement for extended advance reservations, potentially reducing overbooking or unauthorized advance reservations by non-residents.

Reasonableness and enforcement: The bill does not specify penalties for violations, so enforcement details would likely be covered in implementing regulations.

Summary in one sentence

A.11052 would establish a state-resident reservation preference for state park cabins and campsites, allowing New York residents to reserve up to ten months in advance (nine months for non-residents) and requiring New York residency verification for bookings beyond nine months, with rules to be implemented by May 1 following enactment.

Bill