New York lawmakers want to pass legislation for a statewide ban on smoking in public parks before the end of the 2019 legislative session on Wednesday.

The smoking ban would apply to almost all state and municipally-owned park land in cities, towns, villages and counties in New York. Violators would face a $50 fine.

The only exceptions would be the Adirondack and Catskill parks, a mix of state and private lands that include forest preserves, according to a bill authored by state Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky, D-Queens.

The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 50-12 on Monday. The legislation was approved with no debate, as senators rushed to pass more than 50 separate bills by Monday night.

Stavisky told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard that she has tried to pass the bill without success since 2011, but until now the legislation never made it out of the Senate Health Committee.

Stavisky said she expects the Assembly version of the bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, D-Bronx, to come to a vote before the end of session on Wednesday.

The bill expands the 2013 ban on smoking in parts of state parks and historic sites that included beaches, pavilions, concession stands and playgrounds.

The 2013 policy, instituted by state parks officials, was upheld by the New York State Court of Appeals after a legal challenge.

Stavisky said she was motivated to expand the ban to all municipal parks, including group camps and marinas, for public health and safety reasons.

“People were dropping cigarette butts that were lit that could cause forest fires,” she said.

The legislation would still allow smoking along sidewalks, parking lots or roadways next to parks.

Some cities and counties have already passed their own smoking bans at municipal parks. In 2014, Syracuse banned smoking in all city parks, including downtown public areas such as Clinton Square and Columbus Circle.

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