What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to prohibiting the idling of motor vehicles in certain counties
Purpose or general idea of bill
Prohibit unnecessary idling of motor vehicles in certain counties.
Summary of specific provisions
The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 1202-a, which reads as follows: (a) No person shall cause or permit the engine of a motor vehicle, other than a legally authorized emergency motor vehicle, to idle for longer than three minutes while parked as defined in § 129 of this chapter, standing as defined in § 145 of this chapter, or stopping as defined in § 147 of this chapter, unless the engine is used to operate a loading, unloading, or processing device. When the ambient temperature exceeds forty degrees Fahrenheit, no person shall cause or permit the engine of a bus as defined in § 104 of this chapter to idle while parking, standing, or stopping as defined in this subdivision, at any terminal point, whether or not enclosed along an established route. (b) This section governs signage prohibiting idling, warnings, locations, and penalties.
Justification
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the New York metro area does not meet federal guidelines for ground-level ozone and particulate matter. The New York portion of the metropolitan region, outside of New York City, includes Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester and Rockland counties, slightly over 4 million residents. Emissions from idling vehicles is believed to be a contributor of global warming, is a public health concern, and has been found to shorten the lives of 70,000 people each year. As of 2006, anti-idling restrictions exist in some form or another in 30 states.
In 2007, New York State recognized the threat of idling to public health by passing legislation authorizing the New York State Department of Education Commissioner to promulgate regulations minimizing school bus idling on school grounds throughout the state. In 2004, legislation was enacted in New York City prohibiting idling in its five boroughs, upon which this legislation is modeled after. Westchester, Rockland, and Nassau counties have passed different focus of anti-idling legislation to safeguard the public's health.
With the advent of modem motor vehicles, the idea that idling has its advantages has been debunked. The notions that cars should idle for several minutes prior to being driven, that repeated care starts waste more gas than idling, or that idling helps heat the engine are myths. While some idling may be necessary, for example, sitting in traffic congestion or remaining in line at a fast food restaurant or bank drive-thru, most idling is unnecessary and hazardous to public health. Appropriate signage will help indicate to the general public that idling is a waste of money, energy, and contributes to climate change, thereby negatively impacting public health.
Prior legislative history
New Legislation.
Fiscal implications
Minimal for signage that will be phased in by the New York Department of Transportation.
Effective date
One hundred and eightieth day after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.