Authorizes the issuance of distinctive license plates to severely disabled volunteer firefighters

Section 2: Amends the Vehicle and Traffic law by adding a new section 404-x to read as follows: Distinctive plates for severely disabled firefighters. 1. (a) Any severely disabled volunteer firefighter shall, upon request, be issued a license plate bearing the emblem and words "New York State" on top of the license plate and "severely disabled volunteer firefighter" on the bottom of the license plate; (b) Any severely disabled volunteer firefighter who has registered his or her motor vehicle pursuant to section four hundred four-a of this article shall, upon request, be issued a license plate bearing the distinctive marks authorized by such section four hundred four-a and the words "New York State" on the top of the license plate and "severely disabled volunteer firefighter" on the bottom of the license plate; (c) Application for said license plate shall be filed with the commissioner in such form and detail as the commissioner shall prescribe and shall be verified annually by the applicant. 2. The distinctive plate authorized in paragraph (a) of subdivision one of this section shall be issued upon proof, satisfactory to the commissioner, that the applicant is presently a volunteer firefighter who receives permanent total disability benefits under section eight of the volunteer firefighters' benefit law. The distinctive plate authorized in paragraph (b) of subdivision one of this section shall be issued upon proof, satisfactory to the commissioner, that the applicant is presently a severely disabled volunteer firefighter who receives permanent total disability benefits under section eight of the volunteer firefighters' benefit law and whose disability qualifies him or her as a severely disabled person within the meaning of subdivision four hundred four-a of this article and who has registered his or her motor vehicle pursuant to section four hundred four-a of this article. 3. A distinctive plate issued pursuant to this section shall be issued in the same manner as other number plates upon payment of the regular registration fee prescribed by section four hundred one of this article, provided, however, that an additional annual service charge of fifteen dollars shall be charged for such plate. Such annual service charge shall be deposited pursuant to the provisions of section four hundred four-oo of this article, to the credit or the department of motor vehicles distinctive plate development fund established by section ninety-five-g of the state finance law, and shall be used for the production, design, advertising and marketing of distinctive license plates pursuant to such section ninety-five-g of the state finance law.

Section 3.: Sets the effective date.

Justification

While modem fire fighting techniques are a dramatic improvement from those available to prior generations of firefighters, accidents still happen. And when they do, we must double our acknowledgment for those who risk their lives to defend their communities. This bill would be a small gesture in that regard.

Prior legislative history

2005-2006: S. 4993-B - Passed Both Houses, Veto Memo 233; 2007 -2008 - Transportation.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become law, except that any rules and regulations necessary for the timely implementation of this act on its effective date shall be promulgated on or before such date.