What's happening
This bill restricts solicitation on state highways outside cities or villages, allowing exceptions for adults representing certain nonprofits on low-speed roads.
Why it matters
Limits roadside solicitation. to adults (18+) representing fire companies, voluntary ambulance services, or IRS 501(c) nonprofits, meaning most individuals and groups can no longer collect donations on state highways in rural areas.
Applies only to state highways outside city or village limits. , which could impact fundraising efforts in small towns or rural communities that have historically relied on roadside collections.
Imposes a speed limit restriction (≤ 30 mph). for any allowed solicitation, reducing potential safety risks but also limiting where these activities can take place.
Allows towns to enact stricter local bans. , giving local governments the final say—so even qualifying organizations may be further restricted if a town chooses.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Limit Highway Donation Solicitation
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 39
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.567
- Referred to transportation
- Print number 4104a
- Amend and recommit 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.
Limit Highway Donation Soliciting
In Senate Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Aileen Gunther
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4104--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 28, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the solicitation of donations on state highways
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1157 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new subdivision (d) to read as follows:
(d) No person shall occupy any part of a state highway in any manner for the purpose of selling or soliciting in a town outside the geographical boundaries of a city or village, except by a person eighteen years of age or older to solicit on behalf of a fire company as defined by subdivision two of section one hundred of the general municipal law, a voluntary ambulance service as defined by subdivision three of section one hundred of the general municipal law, or an organization exempt from taxation pursuant to section 501 (c) of the internal revenue code and such highway has a speed limit not exceeding thirty miles per hour. Provided, however, that no such solicitation pursuant to this subdivision shall be authorized where prohibited by a local law or ordinance of the town in which such solicitation occurs.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00387-07-9
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 the solicitation of donations on state highways
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Amends section 1157 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding a subdivision (d) which allows individuals 18 years of age and older to solicit on behalf of fire companies, volunteer ambulance services, and non-profit organizations on highways not exceeding 30 miles per hour outside cities and villages so long as the town has not passed a local law prohibiting it.
Section 2: Effective date.
Justification
Fundraising on public highways is a popular and inexpensive way for fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and non-profit organizations to raise money. Without these funds, services to our communities would diminish or taxes would need{ to be raised to help pay for them.
Currently, organizations are only allowed to solicit for funds on public highways within a city or village. Many people fundraising in small towns on behalf of these organizations may be unknowingly breaking the law. This bill provides an exception to the prohibition on soliciting on highways outside cities and villages by allowing fire companies, volun- teer ambulance services and non-profit organizations to do so as long as the town has not passed a local law prohibiting it.
Legislative history
2017-A386 referred to Transportation/S1027 referred to Transportation 20167 \9690A referred to Transportation/S7655A passed Senate
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Local implications
Opportunity for increased revenue for fire companies, volunteer ambu- lance services, and non-profit organizations.
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.