BILL NUMBER: S5772

SPONSOR: BROOKS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing a gaso-
line priority list for emergency response personnel in the department of
homeland security and emergency services

 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of this bill is to create a gasoline priority list for emer-
gency vehicles to get gas first in times of emergencies.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends subdivision 2of Section 709 of the executive law by
adding a new section that provides for the creation of a gasoline prior-
ity list for emergency response vehicles in times of natural and man-
made disasters.

              

Section 2 is the enacting clause.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

During various disasters in New York State history, especially hurri-
canes, gasoline has been a sparse commodity that is nearly impossible to
come by. Lines for gasoline could take days to get through and only
miniscule amounts of gas could be purchased. This could leave emergency
vehicles without gas and unable to function during times of crisis
because they had to wait in extremely long lines with the rest of the
population.

This bill would create a priority list for emergency vehicles to be able
to get gas before civilians so they can properly serve their communities
and keep the people safe. By enacting this legislation, the problem of
emergency vehicles not being able to function during a time of disaster
can be avoided.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

This is a new bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.