Authorizes the city of Jamestown to establish an administrative tribunal for the adjudication of parking infractions

BILL NUMBER:S5124

Title of bill

An act to authorize the city of Jamestown to establish an administrative tribunal for the adjudication of parking infractions; and to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation thereto

Purpose

Authorizes the city of Jamestown to establish an administrative tribunal for the adjudication of parking infractions.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding a new section to allow the city of Jamestown to establish an administrative tribunal for the adjudication of parking infractions. It also authorizes the city of Jamestown to provide for the appointment, through local law, of hearing examiners for such administrative adjudications from a list of eligible candidates in accordance with the provisions of Article 2-B of the Vehicle & Traffic Law,

Section 2 amends paragraph d of subdivision 2 of section 236 of the vehicle and traffic law to allow hearing examiners in the city of Jamestown, like the city of New York, to be admitted to practice law in New York State for a period of three years instead of five years, which is otherwise required for hearing examiners under the Vehicle and Traffic Law.

Section 3 provides that this act shall take effect immediately.

Justification

Parking tickets in the city of Jamestown are currently handled by the City Court, which takes up valuable time of Jamestown's two city court judges and their personnel. These tickets are rarely adjudicated because of the more serious criminal cases and infractions pending in the Jamestown City Court.

Because these tickets are not adjudicated, the City of Jamestown, loses a significant amount of revenue each year. This bill would help the city of Jamestown adjudicate approximately $300,000 in delinquent parking infractions.

The Jamestown City Council requested this legislation on November 27, 2012 in Resolution Number 201211C13. The City is seeking this bill to reduce City Court case backlogs, increase traffic infraction penalty collections, to establish a more efficient way to manage the parking ticket system, and to establish a system whereby motorists would more consistently abide by the parking laws established by the City. The City does not anticipate increased costs to residents ox in their budget to establish and operate the program. They plan to do so with existing staff and resources.

Legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

None to the State.

Local fiscal implications

The city of Jamestown anticipates an increase in its collection of parking ticket revenues.

Effective date

Immediately.