Establishes a mandatory surcharge for traffic offenses and infractions in Suffolk and Nassau counties

1 Co-sponsor

• Andrew Raia

BILL NUMBER:A9082B

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the state finance law, in relation to a mandatory surcharge for traffic offenses and infractions in Suffolk and Nassau counties

Purpose or general idea of bill

To impose a mandatory fifty dollar surcharge on certain traffic offense and infraction convictions adjudi- cated in the Suffolk County or Nassau County Police Districts.

Summary of specific provisions

This legislation amends the general municipal law, the vehicle and traffic law, the state finance law, and the criminal procedure law to impose a mandatory fifty dollar surcharge on certain traffic offense and infraction convictions adjudicated in the Suffolk County or Nassau County Police Districts. This would enable Suffolk and Nassau Counties to raise revenue to off-set the costs asso- ciated with providing adequate patrols on the Long Island Expressway and portions of the Sunrise Highway. Distribution of the patrols will reflect the current practice of the County Police Departments patrolling locations they currently patrol on the Long Island Expressway and Sunrise Highway and the Nassau County Village Police Department shall patrol segments of the Long Island Expressway in currently patrols.

Justification

Due to the fact that the Long Island Expressway and Sunrise Highway do not currently have a sufficient number of Suffolk County Police Department patrolling officers, this legislation would generate approximately $6.7 million in revenue for Suffolk County and approximately $7.9 million in revenue for Nassau County to help off-set the costs of properly staffing the patrol units for these state roads, according to the state Division of Budget. Nassau and Suffolk each spend roughly $12 million per year policing its sections of the Long Island Expressway and Sunrise Highway. Depending on the accuracy of the projec- tions by DOB, this legislation will substantially cover the counties' policing costs for these roads. This legislation therefore covers law enforcement expenses by surcharging those who drive these costs, i.e. people who drive over the speed limit or under the influence, among other violations.

Prior legislative history

None

Fiscal implications

None

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.