Creates a state trooper highway memorial task force to provide for the recognition of members of the division of state police who have died in the line of duty

2 Co-sponsors

• William J. Larkin Jr.
• James L. Seward

Title of bill

An act to amend the highway law, in relation to creating a state trooper highway memorial task force

Purpose

To create a State Trooper Highway Memorial Task Force to honor those troopers who have given their lives in the line of duty.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 describes the legislative intent of the bill.

Section 2 amends the highway law to add section 340-e, which creates the State Trooper Highway Memorial Task Force and provides the Task Force with the honor of establishing guidelines for how state troopers who have given their lives in the line of duty should be memorialized.

Section 3 establishes that the Commissioner of Transportation is responsible for the installation and maintenance of memorial signs and that such designation will not alter the official name of the highway.

Section 4 sets an immediate effective date.

Justification

This legislation will recognize the importance of the state police who have nobly sacrificed their lives for the people of this State. The recognition which shall be bestowed by this Task Force will be a daily reminder for those traveling along a state highway of their friends, family, and neighbors who have proudly served in our state police force and will show appreciation for those who have fallen in the line of duty.

Furthermore, the mission of the State Trooper Highway Memorial Task Force will be to develop and establish guidelines for recognition of members of the Division of State Police who have died in the line of duty while providing an organizational method by which these memorials are created. By including the Commissioner of Transportation or his or her designee and the Superintendent of State Police on the Task Force to approve such requests, a safe and effective method with consideration to traffic flow will be established as to where these memorials are placed.

Legislative history

2013-14: S.6719 - Referred to Transportation; A.8847 - Referred to Transportation 2011-2012: S.698 - Passed Senate; A.1105 - Died in Transportation 2009-2010: A.3183 - Died in Transportation 2008: 5.7159 - Passed Senate; A.10429 - Died in Transportation

Fiscal implications

Nominal cost to the state for signs. However, such memorials currently exist throughout the state and new ones continue to be designated each year through individual legislative bills. Those bills state that the Commissioner of Transportation shall provide further installation and maintenance of adequate signage of the state highway system as designated by law.

Effective date

Immediately.