What's happening
This bill creates a task force to establish guidelines for memorializing fallen state troopers along New York highways.
Why it matters
Creates a formal, standardized process. for honoring fallen state troopers, ensuring that recognition is consistent and not ad hoc or dependent on political influence or public campaigns.
Involves key stakeholders. including the State Police, Department of Transportation, and the Police Benevolent Association—in deciding how memorials are established, which could lead to more meaningful and appropriate tributes.
Emphasizes public safety and traffic flow. , requiring that any roadside memorials are approved for safety and do not interfere with highway operations, reducing risks for drivers and maintenance crews.
Allows public participation. by permitting anyone to petition for a memorial, making the process accessible to families, colleagues, and the broader community, while also ensuring requests are reviewed and decisions communicated in a timely manner.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Honor Fallen State Troopers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 59
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to transportation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.1295
- Referred to transportation
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to transportation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
Show 4 earlier actions
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.537
- Referred to transportation
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.
Honor Fallen State Troopers
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Michael Cusick
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1980
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 11, 2017
Introduced by Sens. GALLIVAN, LARKIN, SEWARD -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the highway law, in relation to creating a state trooper highway memorial task force
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative intent. It is the intent of the legislature to provide a mechanism to enhance recognition for fallen members of the state police who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. It shall be the charge of the task force created by this act to develop a procedure for recognition of these dedicated men and women. Furthermore, this act is intended to define safe and acceptable methods of placing memorials along the highways of this state that appropriately pay tribute to their service and preserve their memory forever.
§ 2. The highway law is amended by adding a new section 340-e to read as follows:
§ 340-e. State trooper highway memorial task force. 1. The state trooper highway memorial task force is hereby created to be comprised of the commissioner or his or her designee, the superintendent of state police or his or her designee, and a member of the Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers, Inc.
2. Within ninety days of the effective date of this section, the task force shall develop and establish guidelines for recognition of members of the division of state police who have died in the line of duty. Such recognition may be in the form of the dedication of a portion of a state highway and/or the placement of a memorial plaque or marker along a state highway. Any placement of a memorial plaque or marker along a state highway shall be approved by the commissioner to ensure the safe and effective traffic flow along highways in this state.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00177-01-7
S. 1980 2
3. Any person may submit to the state trooper highway memorial task force, in writing, a petition seeking recognition of members of the division of state police who have given their lives in the line of duty. Such petition shall be in such form and contain such information as the task force may require. Upon the receipt of a petition the task force shall consider the request and advise the applicant, in writing, of a decision on any action to be taken within sixty days of the receipt of such petition. Upon the acceptance of any petition, the task force shall determine the appropriate form and location of the memorial to be implemented.
§ 3. The commissioner of transportation shall provide for the installation and maintenance of adequate memorial plaques, markers and signs along the state highway system as designated pursuant to section 340-e of the highway law, as added by section two of this act; provided that, to avoid any confusion and to limit any possible disruption of commerce, any designation called for pursuant to such section shall be one of a ceremonial nature and the official name of such highway shall not be changed as a result of this act.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
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 memorials are placed.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.437/A.4187 Passed Senate/Referred to Transportation 2013-14: S.6719/A.8847 Referred to Transportation/Referred to Transportation 2011-12: S.698/A.1105 Passed Senate/Referred to Transportation 2009-10: A.3183 Referred to Transportation 2008: S.7159/A.10429 Passed Senate/Referred to 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
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.