Senate Transportation Committee reports 14 bills, holds one from agenda

Jeremy Cooney, chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Transportation, convened the committee and confirmed a quorum for what he called, "our last committee meeting of this legislative session." The panel considered 15 bills: one (S.4622) was removed from the published agenda with the sponsor's approval and 14 measures were reported out of committee.

Why it matters: The bills advance a mix of traffic-safety changes, consumer-disclosure measures, local camera programs and ceremonial highway dedications. Several measures amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law and could change enforcement, fines or vehicle registration rules if passed by the full Senate and the Assembly and signed by the governor.

Most consequential items advanced included two related enforcement measures by Chair Cooney that would (1) authorize suspension of registration for vehicles repeatedly documented by photo speed violation monitoring systems in highway construction or maintenance work areas (S.4646A) and (2) expand fines for failure to exercise due care and to move over when approaching parked, stopped or standing motor vehicles on the shoulder (S.4649A). Committee discussion on S.4649A included a question about whether the bill "bring[s] new vehicles in," and an exchange clarifying that the bill expands the move-over requirement to the situations described in the bill language.

The committee also reported bills to: amend acceptable light transmittance standards for vehicle window tint (S.4572); increase penalties for leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in the death of a minor (S.8018); require disclosure of tariff cost estimates on automobile sales to improve consumer awareness (S.8075); and create a school speed zone camera demonstration program in Oneida County (S.8117) with a sunset date included in the bill.

Other measures the committee reported included: a measure authorizing the suspension of an individual's driver's license only in specified circumstances while participating in a treatment court program (S.7928); a bill authorizing certain persons to use an all-terrain vehicle to enter and exit lands during ice-fishing season (S.7164); a bill to authorize disabled-person placards for persons who transport only disabled persons (S.7763); and local highway dedications naming portions of the state highway system for Trooper Edward L. Cunningham (S.291B), Sergeant James S. Hayes (S.1899), and Major Andrew D. Buyers (as listed in the bill text at the hearing, S.707380 series as read into the record).

A bill to authorize traffic-control signal photo violation monitoring devices at certain intersections in Westchester County (S.7422) and other locality-specific measures also were reported. The committee noted that one measure, a study of the availability of wheelchair-accessible vehicles outside New York City (S.7611), was voted out of committee and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

Most motions were moved by Senator Martinez and seconded by Senator Oberacker or Senator Persaud, as recorded on the committee floor, and the chair announced each bill "is reported" after the voice vote. The transcript shows no recorded roll-call tallies for individual member votes in committee; the committee used voice votes on these measures.

Committee members flagged a public-education need around the move-over rule during discussion of S.4649A; one senator suggested public service announcements to inform motorists of the requirements. Chair Cooney closed the session by thanking members for their work this session and noting that committee work will continue in the off session.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in committee): - S.4622 (by Senator Wike) — held from today's published agenda (sponsor's approval). Outcome: held. - S.291B (by Senator Rhodes) — dedicate portion of state highway to Trooper Edward L. Cunningham. Motion moved by Senator Martinez; second Senator Oberacker. Outcome: reported. - S.1899 (by Senator O'Meara) — designate portion of state highway as the Sergeant James S. Hayes Memorial Highway. Motion moved; outcome: reported. - S.4572 (by Senator Salazar) — amend Vehicle and Traffic Law on acceptable window tint light transmittance. Motion moved; outcome: reported. - S.4646A (by Chair Cooney) — suspend registration for vehicles documented multiple times by photo speed monitoring in work areas. Motion moved; outcome: reported. - S.4649A (by Chair Cooney) — fines for failure to exercise due care/move over for parked/stopped/standing vehicles on shoulder. Motion moved; outcome: reported. Committee Q&A included clarifications and a call for public education. - S.7164 (by Senator Hinchey) — authorize certain persons to use an ATV to access lands during ice fishing season. Motion moved; outcome: reported. - S.707380-series (by Senator Galvin, as read) — dedicate portion of state highway to Major Andrew D. Buyers. Motion moved; outcome: reported. - S.7611 (by Senator Bynoe) — study the availability of wheelchair-accessible vehicles in New York State outside New York City. Motion moved; outcome: reported and referred to Finance Committee. - S.7763 (by Chair Cooney) — authorize persons transporting only disabled persons to apply for a disabled person's placard. Motion moved; outcome: reported. - S.7928 (by Senator Mayer) — limit suspension of driver's license for participants in a treatment court program. Motion moved; outcome: reported. - S.8018 (by Senator Comrie) — increase penalties for leaving the scene of an accident without reporting where the accident resulted in the death of a minor. Motion moved; outcome: reported. - S.8075 (by sponsor listed in the record) — require disclosure of tariff cost estimates on automobile sales to improve consumer awareness. Motion moved; outcome: reported. - S.8117 (by Senator Gruffel) — establish school speed zone camera demonstration program in Oneida County (with repeal on expiration). Motion moved; outcome: reported. - S.7422 (by Leader Stuart Cousins, as read into the record) — authorize traffic-control signal photo violation monitoring devices in certain Westchester County intersections. Motion moved; outcome: reported.

What the record shows and what it does not: The committee used voice votes; the transcript records each bill's sponsor and the member who moved and seconded many motions, but it does not provide roll-call vote-by-name tallies in this session. The transcript records a brief substantive exchange on S.4649A about the scope of the move-over expansion and a request for greater public education on the rule.

The committee adjourned after Chair Cooney thanked members for their work and said the work will continue in the off session.