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Senator · Senate District 61
History
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 63–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.276
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Authorizes the thruway authority to enter into mutual assistance agreements with municipalities and outdoor organizations for the assistance of motorists on the thruway during an emergency
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Robin Schimminger
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S4139
Title of bill
An act to amend the public authorities law and the general municipal law, in relation to mutual assistance agreements for the assistance of motorists on any thruway during an emergency
Purpose or general idea of bill
To authorize the Thruway Authority to enter into mutual assistance agreements with municipalities, snowmobile and outdoor organizations for the delivery of services to motorists in the event of an emergency.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 adds a new section 389 to the Public Authorities Law authorizing the Thruway Authority to enter into mutual assistance agreements with municipalities and snowmobile and other outdoor organizations for the delivery of services to motorists on any thruway during an emergency.
Section 2 amends section 99-r of the General Municipal Law to authorize municipalities to provide assistance to the Thruway during an emergency.
Section 3 provides that this act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
Twice during the past four year period, motorists have been stranded for hours, and even days, in their vehicles on the New York State Thruway in freezing and potentially deadly conditions in Western New York. Motorists have been similarly stranded due to accidents or weather on the Thruway in other areas of the state as well. It has become clear that the Thruway Authority, or even the Authority and the State Police, simply do not have the manpower to rescue hundreds of motorists in emergency conditions such as have occurred. Realistically, it would not be fiscally prudent to staff either of these agencies to respond to a massive emergency that might only occur every few years. However, if municipalities and other organizations were to help with evacuations along the areas of the Thruway they abut in unusually difficult emergencies, the effort will be spread out and the work becomes manageable.
It is time to expand the mutual assistance efforts that are growing between municipalities to the Thruway Authority. This bill specifically authorizes the Thruway Authority to enter into agreements with municipalities, snowmobile and other outdoor organizations to have them render assistance in removing stranded motorists or help in evacuation of motorists in the event of snow, weather or other emergency. It is simply no longer acceptable to have motorists stranded in their vehicles for hours and days in life threatening conditions.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.