Establishes the New York state park police

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic21
• Republican8

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Monica Martinez says this is needed

The New York State Park Police is a distinct and specialized law enforcement agency, enhancing public safety across our state parks, historic sites, parkways, and recreational facilities. Officers operate within diverse environments, from densely populated urban parks and ocean beaches to vast natural areas and rugged terrain. In fulfilling their mission, they protect visitors, enforce park regulations, conduct investigations, respond to emergencies, and support public safety oper- ations at some of the largest assemblies in the nation. In 2019 and 2022, executive memorandums shifted the operational command structure of the Park Police by transferring day-to-day operational control to the Division of State Police. Although the Park Police continued to exist statutorily as a separate force, these memorandums created uncertainty regarding chain of command, operational independ- ence, recruitment, training, and long-term workforce stability. This legislation restores statutory clarity by reaffirming the New York State Park Police's independent agency authority under the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. At the same time, the bill makes clear that independence of command does not preclude intera- gency collaboration. The Park Police will retain the authority to coor- dinate and cooperate with the Division of State Police and other law enforcement agencies, including through memoranda of understanding, for purposes such as training, emergency response, and mass gatherings. By distinguishing between independent operational authority and cooperative public safety efforts, the legislation ensures both accountability and effective interagency partnership.

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.