Extends various provisions of law relating to the idling of school vehicles

3 Co-sponsors

• Tony Avella
• Brad Hoylman-Sigal
• David J. Valesky

BILL NUMBER:S4868

Title of bill

An act to amend chapter 670 of the laws of 2007 amending the education law relating to directing the commissioner of education to promulgate regulations limiting the engines of school vehicles to remain idling while parked or standing on school grounds, in relation to the effectiveness thereof

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill seeks to extend the Laws of 2007, Chapter 670 which amended the education law, in relation to directing the Commissioner of educa- tion to promulgate regulations limiting the engines of school buses to remain idling while parked or standing on school grounds, in relation to the effectiveness thereof.

Summary of specific provisions

Extends Section 2 of the Chapter 670 of the laws of 2007.

Justification

From Buffalo to Long Island this is a real problem with harmful conse- quences for our children. Each school day, over 2.3 million children board' over 55,000 diesel-powered school buses and are exposed to lung- irritating chemicals. For many children this exposure triggers asthma attacks. For others this exposure will lead to respiratory problems.

The proposed extender legislation is a simple, pragmatic and no-cost approach to dealing with idling vehicles outside school and childcare grounds. It continues to stop the wasteful and dangerous idling of dozens of-school buses in areas congested with children. This is a common sense issue that protects our children. Groups ranging from the American Medical Association to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency support extending the rule to continue to protect children from harmful idling emissions during the school day. There is no fiscal impact asso- ciated with extending the law.

The growing number of asthmatic children and bad-air quality surrounding our schools requires that we act diligently to continue to address this problem in as many ways as we can. The extension of this legislation is strongly supported by the American Lung Association, the NYS Pupil Transportation Association, and environmental justice groups from across New York who have been advocating for clean air policies for years.

Prior legislative history

Extends Chapter 670 of the laws of 2007

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately and shall be deemed repealed June 30, 2019.