Senate Bill S666

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S666

SPONSOR: BOYLE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act directing the department of transportation to study the weight
limitations for fire vehicles with pneumatic tires

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To examine raising or eliminating fire vehicle weight restrictions.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

This bill will require the department of transportation, in consultation
with the thruway authority, the metropolitan transportation authority,
the division of state police, local police agencies, local governments
including, but not limited to, the city of New York, and any other
department, division, board, bureau, commission; agency or public
authority of the state or any political subdivision thereof deemed
necessary by the commissioner of transportation, to conduct a study to
              

evaluate weight limitations for fire vehicles with pneumatic tires and
make recommendations regarding increasing or eliminating the weight
limitations. The bill would direct that the study include consideration
of applicable federal laws and regulations, and the effect, if any, of a
change in fire vehicle weights on state and local roads and bridges.

 
EFFECTS OF PRESENT LAW WHICH THIS BILL WOULD ALTER:

Subdivision 17-b of section 385 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law sets
weight limits on fire vehicles equipped with pneumatic tires.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Although section 385 subdivision 17-b provides limits on weights for
fire trucks, these heavy fire trucks often exceed the maximum weight
under this provision. Currently fire trucks that exceed the weight limit
allowed through section 17-b may receive a permit from DOT to legally
travel on the State and local highway system.  This legislation would
require DOT to evaluate whether the weight restriction should be raised,
or eliminated, for fire trucks. It is important to ensure all vehicles
traveling using the state and local highway system are traveling at safe
and appropriate weights.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

06/14/18 passed assembly
06/14/18 delivered to senate
06/14/18 REFERRED TO RULES
06/19/18 SUBSTITUTED FOR S7829A
06/19/18 3RD READING CAL.1860
06/19/18 PASSED SENATE
06/19/18 RETURNED TO ASSEMBLY
12/11/18 delivered to governor
12/21/18 vetoed memo 304
12/21/18 tabled.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.