BILL NUMBER: S6401

SPONSOR: GAUGHRAN
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the general municipal law, in relation to authorizing
the posting by each municipality of turtle crossing signs on local roads
located within such municipality; and to amend the transportation law,
in relation to empowering the state commissioner of transportation to
develop and implement rules and regulations authorizing each munici-
pality to post turtle crossing signs on local roads located within such
municipality

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To allow local municipalities to post turtle crossing signs on local
roads.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the general municipal law is amended by adding a new
              

section 72-s to read as follows:

Section 72-s. Wildlife caution signs. Each municipal corporation, acting
through its governing board, may, by resolution or local law, authorize
the posting by such municipality of turtle crossing signs on local roads
situated within such municipality in conformity with regulations promul-
gated by the state commissioner of transportation pursuant to subdivi-
sion thirty-sex of section fourteen of the transportation law Section 14
of the transportation law is amended by adding a new subdivision 36 to
read as follows:

36. To develop and implement rules and regulations authorizing each
municipal corporation, as defined in section two of the general munici-
pal law, to post turtle crossing signs on local roads situated within
such municipality in accordance with the provisions of section seventy-
two-s of the general municipal law. Such regulations shall ensure that
the signs shall be in conformity with rules and regulations promulgated
by the Federal Highway Administration regarding warning and caution
signs

 
JUSTIFICATION:

In New York, thousands of turtles are killed each year when they are
struck by vehicles as the turtles migrate to their nesting areas. New
York's 11 native species of land turtles are in decline, and turtles can
take more than 10 years to reach breeding age. The reptiles lay just one
small clutch of eggs each year, which means the loss of a breeding
female can have a significant effect on the local turtle population.

This legislation will offset the current decline the turtle population
is facing by placing signage that will alert drivers of oncoming turtles
on local roads.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2019-20: print number A2514; referred to local governments

2017-18:  print number A10872; referred to local governments
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.