What's happening
This bill limits the idling time of most passenger vehicles in New York to three minutes, with certain exceptions and penalties for violations.
Why it matters
Reduces harmful air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. by limiting how long most passenger vehicles can idle, which can improve local air quality and public health, especially in densely populated areas.
Includes targeted exceptions. for specific situations such as extreme cold, traffic jams, maintenance, compliance with comfort regulations, and hybrid-electric vehicle battery charging, indicating an attempt to balance environmental goals with practical needs.
Empowers local governments to enact stricter idling rules. by expressly allowing more stringent local laws to remain in effect, meaning communities can go further to protect air quality if they choose.
Imposes a tiered penalty system. first-time violators receive a warning, while repeat offenders face civil fines up to $150—potentially encouraging behavioral change over time rather than immediate harsh punishment.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Limit Car Engine Idling
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Print number 1502a
- Amend and recommit to environmental conservation
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Referred to environmental conservation
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.
Limit Car Idling to 3 Minutes
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Thomas Abinanti
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1502--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2017
Introduced by Sens. AVELLA, ADDABBO, ALCANTARA, CARLUCCI, HAMILTON, HOYLMAN, MARCELLINO, PERALTA, SAVINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation -- recommitted to the Committee on Environmental Conservation in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to the idling time of passenger vehicles
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new section 19-0329 to read as follows: § 19-0329. Emissions from passenger vehicles; limitations.
1. For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) "Passenger vehicle" shall mean any motor vehicle, light-duty truck with a gross vehicle weight of eighty-five hundred pounds or less, or any other vehicle whose primary use is noncommercial personal transportation. Such definition shall also include "motorcycle", "taxicab" and "livery" as such terms are defined in article one of the vehicle and traffic law.
(b) "Hybrid-electric vehicle" shall mean any passenger vehicle which draws propulsion from both an internal combustion engine (or heat engine that uses combustible fuel), an energy storage device and employs a regenerative vehicle braking system that recovers waste energy to charge such energy storage device.
2. No person shall allow or permit the engine of a passenger vehicle to idle for more than three consecutive minutes when the passenger vehicle is not in motion, except that this provision shall not apply when:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01293-03-8
S. 1502--A 2
(a) such vehicle is forced to remain motionless because of traffic conditions over which the operator thereof has no control;
(b) regulations adopted by a federal, state or local agency having jurisdiction require the maintenance of a specific temperature for passenger comfort, in which case the idling time may be increased to the extent necessary to comply with such regulations;
(c) a hybrid-electric vehicle is idling for the purpose of providing energy for the battery or other form of energy storage recharging;
(d) the ambient air temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) or less;
(e) when operation of the engine is required for the purpose of maintenance.
3. This section shall not apply to the operation of authorized emergency vehicles, as defined by section one hundred one of the vehicle and traffic law and other emergency vehicles and equipment while performing in the scope of their duties.
4. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to preempt any provision of local law, including, but not limited to section 24-163 of the administrative code of the city of New York, provided that the provisions of such local law are at least as stringent as the provisions of this section.
5. Any person who knowingly or intentionally violates any provision of this section shall, upon the first finding of such a violation, be provided with a warning that future violations may result in the imposition of a civil penalty. Any person convicted of a subsequent violation may be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars.
§ 2. Severability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this act shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to the idling time of passenger vehicles
Purpose
To prohibit the idling of any passenger vehicle for more than 3 consec- utive minutes. This bill is designed to improve air quality in New York State. It seeks to address the fact that more than half of New York's 19 million residents live in counties where unhealthy air endangers their lives and health.
Summary of provisions
This bill amends the environmental conservation law by adding a new section 19-0329. This new section:
1. Defines passenger vehicle and hybrid-electric vehicle.
2. Prohibits the idling of passenger vehicles for more than three consecutive minutes except when:
(a) motionless because of traffic conditions;
(b) federal, state, or local regulations require a specific temperature for passenger comfort;
(c) a hybrid-electric vehicle is idling to provide energy to the battery or other energy recharging storage;
(d) the ambient air temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less; or
(e) required for maintenance.
3. Exempts from the section the operation of authorized emergency vehi- cles and other emergency vehicles and equipment while performing in the scope of their duties.
4. Provides that no local law shall be preempted by this section provided that the provisions of such local law are at least as stringent as the provisions of this section.
5. Provides that any person who knowingly or intentionally violates any provision of this section shall upon the first finding of a violation be provided with a warning and that future violations may result in a civil penalty not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars.
Justification
The American Lung Association's State of the Air 2016 report found that nearly half of New York's 19 million residents live in counties where unhealthy air endangers their lives and health. Based on data from 2012-2014, 12 of the 24 counties in New York State with air quality monitors received failing grades.
In addition, gasoline powered vehicles contribute to the State's poor air quality through emissions of particulates, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the latter two pollutants being precursors for the formation of ground-level ozone. Exposure to ozone has been consistently linked to respiratory problems, including asthma exacerbation and other respiratory diseases. Furthermore, gasoline powered vehicles emit carbon dioxide, thus contributing to global warm- ing.
Presently, the environmental conservation law prohibits heavy-duty vehi- cles including diesel trucks and buses, from idling for more than five consecutive minutes. In addition, at least twenty-two municipalities, including cities, counties, villages and towns in New York have adopted anti-idling laws or regulations.
Legislative history
2015-16: A315 referred to environmental conservation, same as S7035 (Ave11a); 2014-14: A1228A referred to environmental conservation; 2011-12: A7606 referred to environmental conservation
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
The 180th day after it becomes law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.