File #: Int 0849-2026    Version: * Name: Requiring certain contracted entities to develop and implement a cultural passport program encouraging visitation to participating sites in each borough.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Economic Development
On agenda: 4/16/2026
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring certain contracted entities to develop and implement a cultural passport program encouraging visitation to participating sites in each borough
Sponsors: Nantasha M. Williams, Virginia Maloney , Lincoln Restler
Council Member Sponsors: 3
Summary: This bill would provide for the New York City Economic Development Corporation (“EDC”) to develop and implement a cultural passport program in consultation with the Department of Small Business Services, the Department of Cultural Affairs, and New York City Tourism + Conventions. The goal of the program would be to encourage visitation to participating sites in each borough. Such program would be required to include: identification of at least five participating sites in each borough; production and distribution of a cultural passport document; a system by which participating sites can recognize visitation; incentives for cultural passport holders; and promotion, including publication of the program on a dedicated website. EDC would have one year to develop and implement the program.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 849, 2. Int. No. 849, 3. Memorandum in Support, 4. April 16, 2026 - Stated Meeting Agenda

Int. No. 849

 

By Council Members Williams, Maloney and Restler

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring certain contracted entities to develop and implement a cultural passport program encouraging visitation to participating sites in each borough

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Subchapter 2 of chapter 8 of title 22 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 22-831 to read as follows:

§ 22-831 Cultural passport program. a. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

City tourism and conventions entity. The term “city tourism and conventions entity” means a not-for-profit corporation or other entity that, pursuant to a contract with the city, provides or administers services promoting the economy and positive image of the city through tourism and convention development, major events, and marketing.

Participating site. The term “participating site” means any site, venue, or other location with cultural, historical, or community significance selected to participate in the passport program, including, but not limited to, cultural centers, galleries, gardens, historic sites, libraries, museums, parks, performing arts venues, public monuments, theaters, and zoos.

b. Each covered contract executed on or after the effective date of the local law that added this section shall require a contracted entity to develop and implement a cultural passport program, in consultation with the department of small business services, the department of cultural affairs, and the city tourism and conventions entity. Such program shall be designed to encourage public engagement with and visitation to participating sites in each borough.

c. Such program developed pursuant to subdivision b shall include, but need not be limited to:

1. Identification of at least 5 participating sites located in each borough of the city;

2. Production and distribution of a physical cultural passport document;

3. Development of a system by which participating sites provide commemorative marks, stamps, stickers, or digital integrations to recognize visitation by cultural passport holders;

4. Establishment of visitation milestones and incentives for cultural passport holders who achieve such milestones; and

5. Promotion of such program, which shall include, but need not be limited to, posting details of such program on a dedicated website.

d. The program established by this section shall commence no later than 1 year after the effective date of the local law that added this section.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

ABI

LS #21798

4/10/2026 3:30 PM