What's happening
This bill allows school bus signs to be made with reflective material, eliminating the need for illumination at night.
Why it matters
Reduces Long-Term Costs for Schools. Allowing reflective materials instead of illuminated signs eliminates the need for installing, maintaining, and powering lighting systems on school bus signs, potentially saving districts money.
Improves Nighttime Safety and Visibility. Reflectorized Type III material, as referenced from federal standards, is highly visible when illuminated by headlights, ensuring that school buses remain easily identifiable at night without requiring internal lighting.
Eases Compliance and Maintenance. Removing the illumination requirement reduces the risk of buses being out of compliance due to burnt-out bulbs or electrical issues, making it simpler for bus operators to adhere to regulations.
Aligns with Federal Standards. By referencing 49 CFR 571.131 S6.1 table 1, the bill ensures that New York’s school bus sign requirements are consistent with recognized national safety standards, which can streamline manufacturing and oversight.
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Headline styles
Allow Reflective School Bus Signs
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 60–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1755
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to transportation
- 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.
Allow Reflective School Bus Signs
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor David Gantt
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4185
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 6, 2017
Introduced by Sen. DILAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to signs on school buses
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraph 1 of paragraph (b) and paragraph (c) of subdivision 20 of section 375 of the vehicle and traffic law, subparagraph 1 of paragraph (b) as amended by chapter 242 of the laws of 1992 and paragraph (c) as amended by chapter 96 of the laws of 1973, are amended and a new subparagraph (1-a) is added to paragraph (b) to read as follows:
(1) In addition to such signal lamps, two signs shall be conspicuously displayed on the exterior of every such omnibus designating it as a school omnibus by the use of the words "SCHOOL BUS" which shall be painted or otherwise inscribed thereon in black letters. Such letters shall be of uniform size, at least eight inches in height, and each stroke of each letter shall be not less than one inch in width. The background of each such sign shall be painted or otherwise applied in the color known as "national school bus chrome." For each such omnibus having a seating capacity in excess of fifteen children, such signs shall be securely mounted on top of such vehicle, one of which shall be affixed on the front and one on the rear thereof. For each such omnibus having a seating capacity of not more than fifteen children, such signs shall be securely mounted on top of such vehicle, one of which shall face the front and one of which shall face the rear thereof. Each such sign shall be visible and readable from a point at least two hundred feet distant.
(1-a) Any sign required pursuant to subparagraph one of this paragraph may be constructed with reflectorized Type III material consistent with 49 CFR 571.131 S6.1 table 1.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01904-01-7
S. 4185 2
(c) In the event such vehicle is operated on a public highway during the period between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, the signs required by paragraph (b) of this subdivision shall be illuminated as to be visible from a point at least five hundred feet distant, provided however that if a material is used pursuant to subparagraph one-a of paragraph (b) of this subdivision, no such illumination shall be required.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the commissioner of motor vehicles is authorized to promulgate any necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of this act.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to signs on school buses
Purpose
To allow school bus signs, that are currently required to be illuminated, to be constructed with reflectorized TYPE III material.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 allows the required two "SCHOOL BUS" signs displayed on school buses to be constructed with the reflectorized TYPE III material. Additionally, this section states that the reflectorized signs do not need to be illuminated during the period between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise.
Section 2 effective date.
Existing law
Current law mandates two signs shall be conspicuously displayed designating an omnibus as a school bus by the use of the words "SCHOOL BUS" and creates standards for the size and color of the text. Additionally, current law requires that these signs be illuminated one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise.
Justification
Advancements in technology has made the illuminated sign requirement on school buses obsolete. Existing technology for Type III photo reflectorized coatings and graphics similar to those used on traffic signs will allow for signs to be made economically, with industry-standard materials and offer advantages beyond the illuminated signs.
The current required illuminated signs are more expensive, both initially and to maintain. The lights require additional wiring and are no longer a standard item for manufacturers - New York is one of only two states (Maine) that require this feature. Additionally, these lights accumulate snow and ice and are often times found to be the source of water leaks and leading to structural corrosion. Both of these negative externalities can now be avoided with the use of reflectorized coatings and graphics.
This technology will also allows the text to conform to the curved shape of the bus design maintaining adequate visibility while slightly improving aerodynamics.
The incorporation of photo-reflective materials, for the "SCHOOL BUS" signs will enhance safety, while lowering purchasing and operating costs for school districts.
Legislative history
2013-2014: Passed the Senate (A.1344/S.6390) Referred to Transportation 2015-2016: S.1022/A689 Referred to Transportation
Fiscal implications
Estimated cost savings to school districts by reducing the costs of new buses and bus maintenance.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred and twentieth day after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.