Senate Bill S9333

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S9333

SPONSOR: WALCZYK
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to establishing
a municipal exemption from commercial driver's license requirements

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill creates a targeted exemption from CDL requirements for munici-
pal operations such as snow and ice removal, highway maintenance, utili-
ties, and emergency response. Municipal employees must still pass a New
York State administered or approved driving skills and safety examina-
tion, and municipalities must maintain internal training and certif-
ication programs.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new
section § 509-hh to read as follows:

              

§ 509-hh. Municipal exemption from commercial driver's license require-
ments.

1. Exemption Authorized.  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the
contrary, a commercial driver's license shall not be required for the
operation of a motor vehicle owned or leased by a city, town, village,
or county when such vehicle is operated by a municipal employee solely
for intrastate governmental purposes.

2. Covered Operations.

(a) snow and ice control;

(b) highway, road, bridge, or right-of-way maintenance;

(c) water, sewer, or public utility maintenance;

(d) emergency or disaster response; and

(e) such other substantially similar governmental functions as approved
by the commissioner.

3. State Testing Requirement.

Municipal employees operating under the exemption authorized by this
section shall be required to successfully complete a motor vehicle
skills and safety examination administered or approved by the depart-
ment, appropriate to the class and type of vehicle operated.

4. Municipal Training and Certification.

Municipalities utilizing the exemption authorized by this section shall
establish and maintain internal driver training and certification
programs, including:

(a) written training standards;

(b) behind-the-wheel instruction;

(c) periodic refresher training; and

(d) certification by a designated municipal supervisor.

5. State Oversight.

The commissioner may promulgate regulations establishing minimum safety
and testing standards for municipal training programs under this
section, provided such standards shall not require possession of a
commercial driver's license.

6. Construction.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the operation of a
motor vehicle in violation of any other applicable traffic or safety
law.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Municipalities, particularly in rural and upstate regions, face work-
force shortages driven by COL requirements designed for commercial
trucking. By retaining state testing while allowing local training and
certification, this legislation balances public safety with practical
workforce realities.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

None to the state.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.