BILL NUMBER:S5136

TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend chapter 122 of the laws of 2000, amending the
environmental conservation law relating to authorizing sweepstakes
with respect to subscriptions to "The Conservationist," in relation to
the effectiveness thereof

Purpose of the Bill:

The purpose of this bill is to extend for three years the Department
of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) authority to conduct sweepstakes
to increase the number of Conservationist magazine subscribers.

Summary of Provisions:

Section 1 of this bill amends Chapter 122 of the Laws of 2000 to
extend until August 1, 2018 Environmental Conservation Law (ECL)
3-0301(2)(y), which authorizes DEC to engage in sweepstakes or
contests intended to stabilize, improve, or otherwise increase the
subscriber base of the Conservationist magazine.

Section 2 of this bill provides for an immediate effective date.

Existing Law:
              

DEC currently has authority to conduct sweepstakes under ECL
3-0301(2)(y); however, pursuant to Chapter 122 of the laws of 2000,
this authority expires on August 1, 2015.

Prior Legislative History:

DEC was originally granted authority to engage in sweepstakes to
increase the subscribers of the Conservationist magazine in 1995
(Chapter 548 of the Laws of 1995). This authority expired on August 1,
1999. Chapter 122 of the Laws of 2000 granted this authority until
August 1, 2003. This authority has been extended every three years
since that time, and was last extended by Chapter 36 of the Laws of
2012.

Statement in Support:

DEC issues the Conservationist, a New York State-focused magazine that
contains informative and entertaining articles, photography, and
artwork. Articles cover a broad range of environmental and natural
history related topics, including fishing, hiking, outdoor recreation,
travel, hunting, and nature study. Published six times a year, the
Conservationist has been published continuously since 1946 and has
approximately 80,000 paid subscribers and an equal number of secondary
readers in schools, libraries and homes throughout the state.
Marketing research on magazine promotion demonstrates that sweepstakes
are the most effective strategy to increase renewal and new subscriber
response rates. DEC has conducted sweepstakes on several occasions in
the past to generate sales and to increase renewal rates. Each year at
the New York State Fair, DEC offers a significant prize (e.g. a canoe,
a lifetime fishing license) to generate interest in the magazine, to


increase subscription sales at the booth, and to improve renewal rates
of existing subscribers.

In order for DEC to sustain its high quality magazine product in a
cost-effective manner there needs to be sufficient subscribers to
create economies of scale for printing contract costs. All
subscription revenues are deposited in a dedicated fund to support
magazine production costs. Continued authority to conduct sweepstakes
with respect to the Conservationist will ensure that DEC can continue
to produce a quality product for current and potential subscribers.

Budget implications:

In addition to increasing the renewal rates of current subscribers,
DEC projects that holding a sweepstakes could result in an increase of
approximately 5,000 new Conservationist subscribers, and a concomitant
increase in revenue of $50,000 to the Conservation Fund.

Local impact:

This bill would have no impact on local governments.

Effective Date:

This act shall take effect immediately.