Senate Bill S3418

                                BILL NUMBER:S3418

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the highway law, in relation to
providing state reimbursement for a portion of the expenses of
retrofitting municipal construction and road equipment to prevent
rollovers

PURPOSE:  This legislation creates a retrofit rebate program for local
municipalities to retrofit unprotected construction and/or road
equipment to prevent rollovers of such equipment.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends the highway law by adding a new section 318 creating
a retrofit rebate program for local municipalities to retrofit
unprotected construction and/or road equipment to prevent rollovers of
such equipment. This retrofit rebate program will provide local
municipalities with a 75% rebate for purchase and installation
expenses to retrofit a piece of construction, excavation and/or road
equipment owned by a local government(s) to prevent overturns of such
equipment. The Department of State will determine what protective
equipment is sufficient/suitable for rollover protection on
construction and excavating machinery. The Department will also define
what construction and excavating machinery is eligible for funding.

Section 2: Sets forth the effective date
              

JUSTIFICATION:  This legislation, Charlie's Law, creates a retrofit
rebate program which provides local municipalities with a 75% rebate
for purchase and installation expenses to retrofit a piece of
construction, excavation and/or road equipment owned by a local
government(s) to prevent overturns of such equipment.

In an unfortunate, and preventable incident, Charles Hitchcock, Jr. of
Knapp Creek, NY was killed in a work-related accident in July 2007
when the rolling compactor he was operating overturned. His death
could have been avoided had a roll-bar been installed on his
equipment.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of
Labor, fatal highway construction incidents remained the most frequent
type of fatal work-related event, accounting for nearly one out of
four fatal work injuries in 2006.

This legislative incentive will enable our local governments to keep
their construction employees safe and give workers and their families
peace of mind while their loved ones are working in the construction
industry.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:  2013-2014: S.5921 Referred to Transportation
2011-2012: S.765 Referred to Transportation 2009-2010: S.2206 Referred
to Transportation 2008: S.7682 Passed Senate

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:  Undetermined at this time.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  January 1 succeeding enactment into law.