Bill > S01068

This bill establishes a comprehensive review process for proposals to alienate (transfer or change the use of) municipal parkland in New York State. The legislation creates a new legal framework that requires municipalities to obtain prior state legislative authorization before selling, leasing, or changing the use of parkland. Municipalities must submit detailed applications to a state office for certification, including descriptions of the parkland to be alienated and any proposed replacement parkland. The bill mandates that replacement parkland must be of equal or greater acreage, fair market value, and recreational usefulness, with some exceptions for utility easements and certain park-related leases. Municipalities must also report on their compliance with the alienation requirements, and failure to do so could result in enforcement actions by the Attorney General, including injunctions or compelled restoration of parkland. The legislation emphasizes the importance of municipal parkland in enhancing community quality of life and preserves existing "public trust doctrine" principles, which protect public lands. The bill aims to ensure that any alienation of municipal parkland is carefully scrutinized, transparent, and done with consideration of public recreational needs and community interests.

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https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1068