New York A 2034: Establishes an adopt-a-rural cemetery program

Status: REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS (as of 2026-01-07)

State: New York · Session: 2025-2026 · Bill: A 2034

Sponsors: Robert Smullen, Brian Maher, Brian Manktelow, Chris Tague, David McDonough, Eric Brown, Jeff Gallahan, Joe DeStefano, John Lemondes, Karl Brabenec, Keith Brown, Philip Palmesano, Scott H. Bendett, Stephen Hawley

Bill Text

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A02034 Summary:

BILL NOA02034 

&nbsp

SAME ASSAME AS S01151

&nbsp

SPONSORSmullen

&nbsp

COSPNSRTague, Brown E, Brown K, Palmesano, Manktelow, Maher, McDonough, Lemondes, Brabenec, Gallahan,
 Hawley, Bendett, DeStefano

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

&nbsp

Add §144-b, Exec L

&nbsp

Directs the secretary of state to develop and implement an adopt-a-rural-cemetery program for the purposes of improving, repairing, and maintaining cemeteries in rural communities which are registered with and overseen by the division of cemeteries; allows municipalities to opt in to the program.

Go to top A02034 Actions:

BILL NOA02034 

&nbsp

01/14/2025referred to corporations, authorities and commissions

05/28/2025held for consideration in corporations, authorities and commissions

01/07/2026referred to corporations, authorities and commissions

Go to topA02034 Committee&nbspVotes:

Committee:CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS Chair:Braunstein 
DATE:05/28/2025AYE/NAY:17/8 Action: Held for Consideration BraunsteinAyeLemondesNay

CookAyeBlankenbushNay

OtisAyeFriendNay

RozicAyePalmesanoNay

KimAyeAngelinoNay

DilanAyeJensenNay

Pheffer AmatoAyeBlumencranzNay

CarrollAyeBaileyNay

FallExcused

Gonzalez-RojasAye

ZinermanAye

TapiaAye

JacobsonAye

BoresAye

ShimskyAye

SimoneAye

ConradAye

LasherAye

Go to topA02034 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topA02034 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 2034

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN ASSEMBLY

 January 14, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by M. of A. SMULLEN, TAGUE, E. BROWN, K. BROWN, PALMESANO,
 MANKTELOW, MAHER, McDONOUGH, LEMONDES, BRABENEC, GALLAHAN, HAWLEY,
 BENDETT, DeSTEFANO -- read once and referred to the Committee on
 Corporations, Authorities and Commissions

 AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing an
 adopt-a-rural cemetery program

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 144-b
 2 to read as follows:
 3 § 144-b. Adopt-a-rural cemetery program. 1. The secretary of state
 4 shall develop and implement an adopt-a-rural cemetery program the
 5 purposes of which shall include, but not be limited to, improving,
 6 repairing, and maintaining cemeteries in rural communities which are
 7 registered with and overseen by the division of cemeteries and are
 8 located in any municipality except in a city having a population of one
 9 million or more inhabitants. A municipality may opt to participate in
 10 the program. The program shall include but not be limited to:
 11 (a) coordinating services by volunteers or groups to improve, repair
 12 and maintain cemeteries; and
 13 (b) providing and installing appropriate signs identifying those
 14 volunteers or groups adopting particular rural cemeteries.
 15 2. (a) Signs described in paragraph (b) of subdivision one of this
 16 section must:
 17 (i) be placed at the main entrance of the cemetery alongside or below
 18 any existing cemetery signage;
 19 (ii) match and conform to the style, color, type, font, and likeness
 20 of any existing cemetery signage, including any historic preservation
 21 requirements;
 22 (iii) be devoid of any corporate logos, trademarks, and images;

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD03561-01-5

 A. 2034 2

 1 (iv) be limited in size to no more than half the dimensions of the
 2 largest existing cemetery signage at the location in which it shall be
 3 placed; and
 4 (v) meet any other requirements that the department of state may add.
 5 (b) If there is no existing signage at a cemetery, the sign for iden-
 6 tifying those volunteers or groups adopting particular rural cemeteries
 7 shall be constructed in accordance with how the cemetery corporation or
 8 municipality which owns the cemetery shall see fit but shall be devoid
 9 of any corporate logos, trademarks, and images.
 10 3. The secretary of state is authorized and directed to promulgate
 11 rules and regulations necessary to implement and carry out the
 12 provisions of this section including but not limited to:
 13 (a) the number of years that volunteers or 

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