NY Pks, Rec & Hist Pres L § 19.07 (2021)
2021 New York Laws PAR - Parks, recreation and historic preservation Title C - Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Article 19 - Historic Sites 19.07 - People's History Project.

§  19.07 People's history project. 1. The legislature hereby finds and   declares that the history of New York state  is  replete  with  persons,   sites,  and  events  of  both  local  and statewide importance that have   heretofore been  overlooked  by  mainstream,  established  history.  The   state's  historical  sites  and  history  as  it is taught in school and   popularly recorded fail to take  into  consideration  the  multitude  of   peoples  who  have built this state, a state that has been significantly   impacted by immigrant and ethnic populations of this country and home to   the majority of social and economic movements of the last  four  hundred   years.  It  is  time  to  recognize those from every background who have   contributed to the history of this state, and give new cause  for  pride   and  create  new role models for all people. Recognizing such historical   sites, events and persons will also contribute  to  tourism,  especially   special  niche  tourism,  and  consequently  contribute  to the economic   development of the state, especially in areas  that  are  underdeveloped   economically and disadvantaged.2.  The  commissioner  shall  establish  within  the office a people's   history committee. The members of the committee shall  be  appointed  by   the   commissioner   and   shall   be  representative  of  academic  and   professional historians, members of local historical societies and other   such groups.  Such members of the committee shall reflect the  diversity   of  the  residents of this state with regard to race, ethnicity, gender,   language, and geographic residence. The members of the  committee  shall   serve  without  compensation,  but  shall  be  allowed  their actual and   necessary expenses.3. The commissioner shall establish a process whereby  the  people  of   the  state  may  nominate  persons,  sites,  and  events  of  historical   significance each year for inclusion in the people's history project who   may be of local,  regional,  statewide  or  national  significance.  The   committee,  in consultation with local historians, historical societies,   and other authorities, where appropriate, shall evaluate the  merits  of   such  nominees,  and  may  select up to ten persons, sites or events per   year for inclusion in the people's history project. In its evaluation of   the merits of nominees, such commission shall  consider,  including  but   not  limited  to,  the  following factors: the historical impact of such   person, site or event, how such impact changed history, and  the  effect   that  such  person,  site  or  event  had  on the state and whether such   person, site, or event that has been overlooked.4. For nominees approved  by  the  committee,  suitable  commemorative   markers  of selected sites may be erected at the appropriate location or   locations as determined by the commissioner. The office shall maintain a   website  listing  the  persons,  sites,  and  events  selected  by   the   committee, a description thereof, a map showing the locations thereof if   applicable, and any other relevant information.