Relates to authorizing a vehicle to operate in combination with other vehicles so authorized

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to special hauling permits for vehicle combinations

Purpose

To authorize a vehicle to operate in combination with other vehicles so authorized

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends § 385 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding a new subdivision providing, notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to contrary, any permit issued pursuant to subdivision 15 of this section for the operation or movement of a vehicle owned and identified as being owned by a political subdivision shall automatically be deemed to authorize the operation of such vehicle in conjunction with other vehicles or any combination of other vehicles so authorized.

Section 2 is the effective date.

Existing law

Section 385 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law provides the restrictions on the dimensions and weights of vehicles. Subdivision 15 of this section provides the requirements of special hauling permits for vehicles and combinations of vehicles, including those requirements for governmental subdivisions.

Justification

New York State government includes 62 counties, 62 cities, 932 towns, 555 villages and 733 school districts, many of which own and operate vehicles and trailers, for a variety of purposes ranging from street repairs to hauling materials and/or equipment. While these subdivisions of government are not required to pay fees to New York State to register vehicles, trailers and other equipment, Department of Transportation regulations mandate that each local agency file separate paperwork, known as "hauling permits," for each vehicle and trailer and keep documents available for inspection.

Agencies often own a variety of trailers used to haul equipment like cranes, bulldozers and other machinery that needs to be transported to construction sites. In cases where a municipality owns a fleet of trucks and a fleet of trailers, separate hauling permits detailing each possible combination of vehicle and trailer must be filed with the New York State Department of Transportation. For agencies with large fleets, for example, a county highway department that owns 12 trucks and 25 trailers, the regulations require local officials to fill out 300 separate forms detailing every possible combination of truck and trailer (or other piece of equipment) that they might use on a project.

The staff effort to fill out so many different forms can be costly and time consuming since it must also be updated as new vehicles are purchased and older ones are taken off the road. The mandated paperwork must also be duplicated and filed so it is available for review by both local and state officials. The time spent by over 2,300 local government and school districts assigning employees to fill out and maintain such nonessential paperwork could be better used providing useful services to the people of New York State. State DOT employees would also benefit from the time now spent collecting, filing, reviewing and storing nonessential documents. This legislation alleviates the requirement that each local agency file the multiplicity of hauling permits for each vehicle and trailer in their fleet. By eliminating this mandate, local governments are made more efficient and are able to devote more time and resources to improving the lives of New York's hard pressed taxpayers rather than filing duplicative paperwork.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None. Governmental subdivisions are not required to pay fees to New York State to register vehicles, trailer, or other equipment.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.