S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
3687
2013-2014 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 28, 2013
___________
Introduced by M. of A. MAYER, STEVENSON, MARKEY, RA -- read once and
referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring
surfaces of certain motor vehicles to be cleared of accumulated snow,
sleet, or hail; to amend the state finance law, the public authorities
law and the transportation law, in relation to the snow and ice
removal fund; and providing for the repeal of certain provisions upon
expiration thereof
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new
section 1229-e to read as follows:
S 1229-E. CLEARANCE OF SNOW, SLEET, AND HAIL. 1. NO PERSON SHALL OPER-
ATE A MOTOR VEHICLE ON A PUBLIC STREET OR HIGHWAY WHILE THERE IS AN
ACCUMULATION OF SNOW, SLEET, OR HAIL ON THE ROOF OR CARGO BED SURFACES
THEREOF, WHETHER OF ANY OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT, TRAILER, OR OTHER CARGO
COMPARTMENT IN EXCESS OF THREE INCHES.
2. THE REMOVAL OF ACCUMULATED SNOW, SLEET, OR HAIL REQUIRED BY SUBDI-
VISION ONE OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY DURING THE FALLING OF SNOW,
SLEET, OR HAIL OR WITHIN THREE HOURS AFTER THE CESSATION OF THE FALLING
THEREOF.
3. (A) THE OPERATOR OF A NON-COMMERCIAL VEHICLE IN VIOLATION OF THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION, EXCLUDING A DISABLED OPERATOR, SHALL BE
SUBJECT TO A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS NOR MORE
THAN EIGHT HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS.
(B) THE OPERATOR, OWNER, LESSEE, BAILEE OR ANY ONE OF THE AFORESAID IF
A COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN
FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS NOR MORE THAN TWELVE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS.
(C) ALL FINES CREDITED TO THE STATE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE
DEPOSITED TO THE SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL FUND ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO
SECTION SEVENTY-FOUR-A OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00411-01-3
A. 3687 2
4. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY AUTOMOBILE
TRANSPORTER, MOTORCYCLE, OR AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE.
S 2. Section 125 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter
365 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
S 125. Motor vehicles. Every vehicle operated or driven upon a public
highway which is propelled by any power other than muscular power,
except (a) electrically-driven mobility assistance devices operated or
driven by a person with a disability, (a-1) electric personal assistive
mobility devices operated outside a city with a population of one
million or more, (b) vehicles which run only upon rails or tracks, (c)
snowmobiles as defined in article forty-seven of this chapter, and (d)
all terrain vehicles as defined in article forty-eight-B of this chap-
ter. For the purposes of title four of this chapter, the term motor
vehicle shall exclude fire and police vehicles other than ambulances.
For the purposes of titles four and five, AND SECTION TWELVE HUNDRED
TWENTY-NINE-E of this chapter the term motor vehicles shall exclude farm
type tractors and all terrain type vehicles used exclusively for agri-
cultural purposes, or for snow plowing, other than for hire, farm equip-
ment, including self-propelled machines used exclusively in growing,
harvesting or handling farm produce, and self-propelled caterpillar or
crawler-type equipment while being operated on the contract site.
S 3. Section 200 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a
new subdivision 3 to read as follows:
3. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR, TEMPORARY
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY ON AN ANNUAL
BASIS FOR THE TEN YEARS COMMENCING ON AUGUST THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND
FOURTEEN CONCERNING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTION TWELVE HUNDRED TWEN-
TY-NINE-E OF THIS CHAPTER AND SECTION SEVENTY-FOUR-A OF THE STATE
FINANCE LAW. SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE INFORMATION ON:
(A) THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE COMMISSIONER AND THE NEW
YORK STATE THRUWAY AUTHORITY AND THE USE OF SUCH FUNDS;
(B) HOW MANY SUMMONSES WERE ISSUED PURSUANT TO SECTION TWELVE HUNDRED
TWENTY-NINE-E OF THIS CHAPTER;
(C) THE OPERATION OF THE GRANT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO PARA-
GRAPH (B) OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION TWENTY-THREE OF THE TRANSPORTA-
TION LAW;
(D) THE PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAM CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (C)
OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION TWENTY-THREE OF THE TRANSPORTATION LAW;
(E) THE SEVERITY AND FREQUENCY OF TRAFFIC INCIDENTS INVOLVING SNOW OR
ICE NOT PROPERLY REMOVED FROM VEHICLES BEFORE AND AFTER THE IMPLEMENTA-
TION OF SECTION TWELVE HUNDRED TWENTY-NINE-E OF THIS CHAPTER; AND
(F) THE OPERATION OF SUCH SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL SITES ESTABLISHED BY
THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PURSUANT TO SECTION
THREE HUNDRED EIGHTY-NINE OF THE PUBLIC AUTHORITIES LAW AND THE NEW YORK
STATE THRUWAY AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF
SECTION TWENTY-THREE OF THE TRANSPORTATION LAW.
S 4. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 74-a to
read as follows:
S 74-A. SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL FUND. 1. THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED IN
THE JOINT CUSTODY OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER AND THE COMMISSIONER OF TAXA-
TION AND FINANCE A SPECIAL FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE "SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL
FUND".
2. THE SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL FUND SHALL CONSIST OF ALL FINES CREDITED
TO THE STATE FOR A VIOLATION OF SECTION TWELVE HUNDRED TWENTY-NINE-E OF
THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW, AND ALL OTHER MONEYS CREDITED OR TRANS-
FERRED THERETO FROM ANY OTHER FUND OR SOURCE PURSUANT TO LAW.
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3. MONEYS IN THE SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL FUND MAY BE INVESTED BY THE
COMPTROLLER PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION NINETY-EIGHT-A OF THIS
ARTICLE AND ANY INCOME RECEIVED BY THE COMPTROLLER FROM SUCH INVESTMENTS
SHALL BE ADDED TO AND BECOME PART OF, AND SHALL BE USED FOR THE PURPOSES
OF SUCH FUND. ALL DEPOSITS OF SUCH MONEY SHALL, IF REQUIRED BY THE COMP-
TROLLER, BE SECURED BY OBLIGATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES OR OF THE STATE
OF MARKET VALUE EQUAL AT ALL TIMES TO THE AMOUNT OF THE DEPOSIT AND ALL
BANKS AND TRUST COMPANIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO GIVE SUCH SECURITIES FOR
SUCH DEPOSITS.
4. MONEYS OF THE FUND, FOLLOWING APPROPRIATION BY THE LEGISLATURE,
SHALL BE ALLOCATED UPON A CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL OF AVAILABILITY BY THE
DIRECTOR OF THE BUDGET SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSES SET FORTH IN THIS
SECTION.
5. MONEYS IN THE FUND SHALL BE ALLOCATED IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER:
(A) TEN PERCENT OF THE MONEYS SHALL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE DEPARTMENT
OF MOTOR VEHICLES FOR THE COLLECTION AND REPORTING OF DATA ON THE IMPLE-
MENTATION OF SECTION TWELVE HUNDRED TWENTY-NINE-E OF THE VEHICLE AND
TRAFFIC LAW.
(B) TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE MONEYS SHALL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDI-
VISION TWO OF SECTION TWENTY-THREE OF THE TRANSPORTATION LAW.
(C) TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE MONEYS SHALL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE NEW
YORK STATE THRUWAY AUTHORITY FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED
EIGHTY-NINE OF THE PUBLIC AUTHORITIES LAW.
(D) THIRTY PERCENT OF THE MONEYS SHALL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE DEPART-
MENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE GRANT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO
PARAGRAPH (B) OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION TWENTY-THREE OF THE TRANS-
PORTATION LAW.
(E) TEN PERCENT OF THE MONEYS SHALL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAM CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO
PARAGRAPH (C) OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION TWENTY-THREE OF THE TRANS-
PORTATION LAW.
S 5. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section 389
to read as follows:
S 389. SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL SITES. 1. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS
SECTION, THE TERM "COMMON CARRIER" SHALL MEAN ANY PERSON THAT TRANSPORTS
PASSENGERS BY MOTOR VEHICLE FOR COMPENSATION BY PROVIDING SERVICE FOR
THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON AN INDIVIDUAL FARE BASIS OVER REGULAR OR IRREGULAR
ROUTES OR ANY PERSON THAT TRANSPORTS PROPERTY BY MOTOR VEHICLE FOR
COMPENSATION FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC. IT SHALL INCLUDE A BUS LINE WHICH
IS A MOTOR VEHICLE THAT IS USUALLY CHARACTERIZED BY THE USE OF VEHICLES
HAVING A SEATING CAPACITY OF GREATER THAN TWENTY PASSENGERS; BY MULTIPLE
PICKUP AND DISCHARGE POINTS ALONG DESIGNATED ROUTES; AND BY NO PREAR-
RANGEMENTS OR RESERVATIONS BY PASSENGERS.
2. USING THE MONEYS ALLOCATED FROM THE SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL FUND
ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION SEVENTY-FOUR-A OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW,
THE AUTHORITY SHALL ESTABLISH SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL SITES FOR COMMON
CARRIERS ON THE THRUWAY. THE AUTHORITY SHALL USE THE MONEYS ALLOCATED
FROM PARAGRAPH (C) OF SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION SEVENTY-FOUR-A OF THE
STATE FINANCE LAW FOR THE PURCHASE, INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF SNOW
AND ICE REMOVAL EQUIPMENT AT SUCH REST AREAS AND SERVICE AREAS UNDER ITS
JURISDICTION AS THE AUTHORITY DEEMS APPROPRIATE.
S 6. The transportation law is amended by adding a new section 23 to
read as follows:
S 23. SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL. 1. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE
TERM "COMMON CARRIER" SHALL MEAN ANY PERSON THAT TRANSPORTS PASSENGERS
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BY MOTOR VEHICLE FOR COMPENSATION BY PROVIDING SERVICE FOR THE GENERAL
PUBLIC ON AN INDIVIDUAL FARE BASIS OVER REGULAR OR IRREGULAR ROUTES OR
ANY PERSON THAT TRANSPORTS PROPERTY BY MOTOR VEHICLE FOR COMPENSATION
FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC. IT SHALL INCLUDE A BUS LINE WHICH IS A MOTOR
VEHICLE THAT IS USUALLY CHARACTERIZED BY THE USE OF VEHICLES HAVING A
SEATING CAPACITY OF GREATER THAN TWENTY PASSENGERS; BY MULTIPLE PICKUP
AND DISCHARGE POINTS ALONG DESIGNATED ROUTES; AND BY NO PREARRANGEMENTS
OR RESERVATIONS BY PASSENGERS.
2. USING THE MONEYS ALLOCATED FROM THE SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL FUND
ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION SEVENTY-FOUR-A OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW,
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL:
(A) ESTABLISH SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL SITES FOR COMMON CARRIERS ON SUCH
INTERSTATE AND STATE HIGHWAYS THAT ARE UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE
DEPARTMENT. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL USE THE MONEYS ALLOCATED FROM PARAGRAPH
(B) OF SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION SEVENTY-FOUR-A OF THE STATE FINANCE
LAW FOR THE PURCHASE, INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL
EQUIPMENT AT SUCH REST AREAS AND SERVICE AREAS UNDER ITS JURISDICTION AS
THE COMMISSIONER DEEMS APPROPRIATE.
(B) ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER A SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL GRANT PROGRAM. THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL USE THE MONEYS ALLOCATED FROM PARAGRAPH (B) OF SUBDIVI-
SION FIVE OF SECTION SEVENTY-FOUR-A OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW FOR THE
PURPOSE OF PROVIDING COMMON CARRIERS WITH MATCHING FUNDS TO PURCHASE
SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL EQUIPMENT; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT
(I) NO GRANT TO ANY COMMON CARRIER SHALL EXCEED TEN PERCENT OF THE
TOTAL ALLOCATIONS FOR SUCH GRANT PROGRAM;
(II) EACH APPLICANT SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE ONLY ONE SUCH GRANT
IN ANY TWENTY-FOUR MONTH PERIOD;
(III) NO PART OF ANY SUCH GRANT SHALL BE USED FOR SALARIES OR ANY
OTHER SERVICES OTHER THAN FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF SNOW AND
ICE REMOVAL EQUIPMENT; AND
(IV) THE COMMON CARRIER HAS COMMITTED SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO FULFILL THE
MATCH REQUIREMENTS OF THIS GRANT.
(C) IMPROVE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE HAZARDS OF DRIVING WITH ACCUMU-
LATIONS OF SNOW AND ICE ON THE ROOF OR CARGO BED SURFACES OF MOTOR VEHI-
CLES AND THE PROHIBITION THEREOF. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL USE THE MONEYS
ALLOCATED FROM PARAGRAPH (E) OF SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION
SEVENTY-FOUR-A OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUCH PUBLIC
AWARENESS CAMPAIGN THROUGH EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS IN
PRINT, AUDIO, VISUAL, ELECTRONIC OR OTHER MEDIA INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ADVERTISEMENTS.
S 7. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeed-
ing the date on which it shall have become a law; provided, however,
that the amendments to section 200 of the vehicle and traffic law made
by section three of this act shall expire and be deemed repealed Septem-
ber 1, 2023.