What's happening
This bill prohibits vessels in New York waters from operating digital billboards with flashing or moving lights, with specified penalties for violations.
Why it matters
Addresses safety and visual distraction concerns. By prohibiting digital billboards with flashing or moving lights on vessels, the bill aims to reduce distractions for boaters and others on the water, potentially lowering the risk of accidents and ensuring safer navigation.
Limits commercialization of public water spaces. The measure seeks to prevent the use of state waters for intrusive advertising, preserving the scenic and recreational value of these areas for residents and visitors.
Empowers local governments. Cities, villages, and towns are given explicit authority to further restrict or, conversely, allow such advertising within 1,500 feet of their shores, allowing for tailored responses to local community preferences and concerns.
Creates enforceable penalties. By establishing significant civil fines ($1,000 for a first offense, $5,000 for subsequent ones), the bill provides a strong deterrent against violations, signaling a serious commitment to upholding the ban.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Boat Digital Billboards
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Signed chap.175
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.532
- Substituted for A8290B
- Referred to codes
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 42–20
- Ordered to third reading cal.1739
- Print number 6541a
- Amend and recommit to rules
Show 1 earlier action
- Referred to rules
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.
Ban Digital Billboards on Boats
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Richard Gottfried
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6541--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 15, 2019
Introduced by Sen. HOYLMAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the navigation law, in relation to prohibiting vessels from operating, anchoring or mooring in the navigable waters of the state while operating a digital billboard board
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The navigation law is amended by adding a new section 43-a to read as follows:
§ 43-a. Use of digital billboards. 1. All vessels shall be prohibited from operating, anchoring or mooring in the navigable waters of the state while operating a digital billboard or other type of billboard that uses flashing, intermittent or moving lights.
2. As used in this section, the term "digital billboard" shall mean a one or multi-sided outdoor advertising sign that displays digital images using light-emitting diode technology or any such similar technology, unless exclusively used to identify the vessel.
3. This section shall not be construed to limit any authority delegated to a city, village or town pursuant to section forty-six-a of this part. A city, village or town may, by local law, expressly restrict or prohibit the use of outdoor advertising signage on vessels within one thousand five hundred feet of its shore or expressly authorize vessels to operate a digital billboard or other type of billboard that uses flashing, intermittent or moving lights within one thousand five hundred feet of its shore.
4. A violation of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of one thousand dollars for the first violation, and five thousand dollars for all subsequent violations.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13408-02-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the navigation law, in relation to prohibiting vessels from operating, anchoring or mooring in the naviga- ble waters of the state while operating a digital billboard board
Summary of specific provisions
This bill adds a new Section 43-a to the Navigation Law to prohibit vessels from operating, anchoring, or mooring in the navigable waters of the state while operating a digital billboard or another type of bill- board that uses flashing, intermittent or moving lights.
The bill would not limit the ability of local governments to regulate the operation of vessels within 1500 feet off their shore pursuant to section 46a of the Navigation Law, and would further allow localities to adopt local laws to expressly restrict or prohibit the use of outdoor advertising signage on vessels within 1500 feet of their shore, or expressly authorize vessels to operate a digital billboard or another type of billboard that uses flashing, intermittent or moving lights within 1500 feet of their shore.
A violation of the bill would be punishable by a civil penalty of $1,500 for the first violation and $5,000 for all subsequent violations.
Justification
Vessels operating in the navigable waters of the state that are equipped with digital billboards are a potential public nuisance and public safe- ty hazard. They can be distracting to fellow boaters, and mar the other- wise beautiful environment of our local waterways with unwanted adver- tisements.
This bill would prohibit vessels from operating, anchoring, or mooring in the navigable waters of the state while operating a digital billboard or another type of billboard that uses flashing, intermittent, or moving lights.
Local governments would, at local option, be allowed to authorize vessels to be equipped with these billboards within 1,500 feet from their shores.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.