Relates to developing criteria and guidelines for state designated arts and cultural districts

Latest action Feb 10, 2026

Directs the council on the arts to establish criteria and guidelines for the establishment of state designated arts and cultural districts.

Not chosen yet

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Same as A7737, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Amends the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law.

Committee

Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks And Recreation · New York State Senate

Also referred to Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development · New York State Assembly.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

Relates to developing criteria and guidelines for state designated arts and cultural districts

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recorded votes

Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateFeb 10, 2026Result: passed
(62) (0) (0) (1)
Vote: Committee vote · Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks And Recreation
Senate Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks And RecreationFeb 4, 2026Result: passed
(7) (0) (0) (0)
Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateApr 24, 2025Result: passed
(51) (0) (0) (11)
Vote: Committee vote · Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks And Recreation
Senate Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks And RecreationApr 8, 2025Result: passed
(7) (0) (0) (0)

Cosponsors

Cordell Cleare, Jamaal Bailey and 7 more on Agora

Democratic8
Republican1

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why José M. Serrano says this is needed

There are many areas within the state that have specific artistic or cultural value and appeal, including geographic areas with a concen- tration of art, artists, or general places of cultural significance. These clusters provide significant economic and quality of life value to the local community or have the potential to do so if additional resources were available. This legislation would create a state-certi- fied "arts and cultural district" designation, allowing municipalities to apply for designation for areas of such clustering of art and cultural institutions and to receive state assistance. For a designated district, the Council of the Arts and the Empire State Development Corporation would provide, among other things, technical assistance in applying for grants, marketing expertise, guides for finding additional state resources, increased tourism opportunities, and other state resources and economic development opportunities. By certifying and assisting these specialized districts, the state will help struggling municipalities benefit from their artistic and cultural strengths. Whether a concentration of museums, large number of artistic residences, or historic sites with artistic or cultural value, many municipalities have untapped potential, and the state should encourage the growth and development of these special places.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

Feb 10, 2026
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
Feb 10, 2026
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
Feb 10, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO TOURISM, PARKS, ARTS AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
NY Assembly
Feb 9, 2026
Advanced to Third Reading
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
NY Senate
Feb 5, 2026
2ND Report CAL.
2ND REPORT CAL.
NY Senate

Show full history (12 earlier events)

Feb 4, 2026
1ST Report CAL.269
1ST REPORT CAL.269
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Died in Assembly
DIED IN ASSEMBLY
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM, PARKS AND RECREATION
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO TOURISM, PARKS, ARTS AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
NY Assembly
Apr 24, 2025
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
Apr 24, 2025
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
Apr 24, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO TOURISM, PARKS, ARTS AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
NY Assembly
Apr 10, 2025
Advanced to Third Reading
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
NY Senate
Apr 9, 2025
2ND Report CAL.
2ND REPORT CAL.
NY Senate
Apr 8, 2025
1ST Report CAL.661
1ST REPORT CAL.661
NY Senate
Apr 8, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO TOURISM, PARKS, ARTS AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
NY Assembly
Jan 8, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM, PARKS AND RECREATION
NY Senate

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Nov 3, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

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