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
- Print number 1321b
- Amend and recommit to transportation
- Referred to transportation
- Print number 1321a
- Amend (t) and recommit to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S1321B
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring surfaces of certain motor vehicles to be cleared of accumulated snow, sleet, or hail; to amend the state finance law, the public authorities law and the transportation law, in relation to the snow and ice removal fund; and providing for the repeal of certain provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose or general idea of bill
To help prevent dangerous distractions or accidents from blinding snow or ice blowing off of vehicles traveling on roads and highways. When vehicles travel with accumulated amounts of snow or ice on top of their roof, it is very likely to be blinding to other vehicles traveling behind them and cause accidents. This legislation will help to prevent those types of accidents.
Read the full memo (686 words)
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 1229-e.
Section 3 of the bill requires that the commissioner of DMV produce a report to the Governor which includes information on: (a) the amount of funds made available to DOT and the Thruway pursuant to this bill (b) the number of summonses issued (c) the operation the grant program established in this bill (d) the public awareness program established in this bill (e) the severity and frequency of traffic accidents involving snow and ice not properly removed from vehicles before and after the bill would go into effect (f) the operation of the snow removal sites established in this bill.
Section 4 of the bill establishes a snow and ice removal fund to be jointly administered by the comptroller and Commissioner of Taxation and Finance and provides for their allocation in the following manner:
- 10% to be transferred to DMV for the collection and reporting of data required in the bill. - 25% to NYSDOT for the creation of snow and ice removal sites at DOT rest areas or service areas for use by 'common carriers' as the commissioner deems appropriate. - 25% to NYS Thruway Authority for the creation of snow and ice removal sites along Thruway rest areas or service areas for use by 'common carriers' as the Authority deems appropriate. - 30% to NYSDOT for the establishment of a grant program meant to provide matching funds to 'common carriers' for the installation of their own snow and ice removal equipment and also for the improvement of public awareness about the hazards of driving with accumulations of snow and ice on vehicle surfaces and the prohibition thereof.
Section 5 amends the Public Authorities law to provide for the installation of snow and ice removal sites at Thruway locations.
Section 6 amends the Transportation law to provide for the installation of snow and ice removal sites on DOT locations as well as the implementation of the grant program.
Section 7 effective date of the first November next Succeeding the date it shall have become law; provided however that the amendments to section 200 of the vehicle and traffic law made by section 3 of this act shall expire and be deemed repealed September 1, 2021.
Justification
Snow and ice accumulates on top of cars and trucks during winter months and become a road hazard for motorists; especially those driving at high speeds on highways. The blinding snow blowing from the top of other cars or trucks can cause damage or accidents to other vehicles. This legislation would create the responsibility of making sure every vehicle is safe for traveling on the road.
The bill also addresses some concerns of the trucking industry by providing a funding mechanism and matching grant program for the installation of snow and ice removal sites along DOT and Thruway roads.
Prior legislative history
Similar bills: 2009-10: S.5226A/A.4209A 2007-08: S.7426/A.5773 2005-06: S.6270 2003-04: A.1743 2001-02: A.9910
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
First of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law; provided, however, that the amendments to section 200 of the vehicle and traffic law made by section three of this act shall expire and be deemed repealed September 1, 2022.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.