2023 New York Laws › COM - Economic Development Law › Article 5-E* - Empire State Brewery Trails Program › 181-E*2 - General Functions, Powers and Duties of the Commissioner.

* § 181-e. General  functions,  powers and duties of the commissioner.
1.  The commissioner shall develop and implement an  "I  love  NY  beer"
promotion   program.   The   commissioner,   in   conjunction  with  the
commissioner  of  the  department  of  transportation  and   any   local
government  official  or entity, shall identify a series of breweries to
be part of a brewery trail. No fewer than two brewery trails  should  be
identified  for  the purposes of the program, and the commissioner shall
work to ensure an adequate representation of  breweries  throughout  New
York  state.  In  identifying  specific  breweries  to  be included on a
brewery trail, special consideration shall be  given  to  those  trails,
which  can be geographically or thematically linked by surrounding arts,
cultural, historical, entertainment or  other  tourism  destinations  or
exhibits  of interest to tourists. Criteria for developing and approving
such trails shall include:
(a) that the trail  contain  a  sufficient  number  of  breweries  and
micro-breweries  to  cost-effectively  attract  patrons  to such trail's
participating members,
(b) that the trail incorporate considerations that maximize  patronage
of such trail,
(c)  that  proposed trail routes do not conflict with or significantly
overlap with existing wine trails designated pursuant to  section  three
hundred forty-three-k of the highway law,
(d) that the trail designations are neither redundant nor cover themes
or  subjects  or  have  names  that  have  already  been  used by trails
designated in statute,
(e) that the trail route is designed  and  laid  out  so  that  it  is
relatively simple and easy to follow for patrons.
2.  The  commissioner shall cause to be developed vacation itineraries
based on specific brewery trails,  which  shall  identify  for  visitors
surrounding  attractions, restaurants, farms, lodging and other exhibits
or places of entertainment as may be a part of  the  theme  linking  the
breweries on the brewery trail.
3.  The  commissioner shall work to develop discount packages for such
brewery trails, which may include the development of a brewery passport.
4. Nothing shall preclude the commissioner from  contracting  with  an
independent  vacation or travel package company to help develop vacation
packages along a brewery trail. The commissioner of  the  department  of
transportation  shall  cooperate with the department in carrying out the
provisions of this  section.  The  commissioner  of  the  department  of
transportation  is authorized to permit the installation and maintenance
of signs on the state highway system for trails designated  pursuant  to
this  section.  However,  to  avoid  confusion and to limit any possible
disruption of commerce, the trail designations called  for  pursuant  to
this  section  shall be of a ceremonial nature and the official names of
such highways shall not be changed as a result of such designations.
* NB There are 2 § 181-e's