Senate Bill S9806

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S9806

SPONSOR: RYAN C
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to authorizing
early renewal of vehicle registration for members of the armed forces
who will be engaged in the performance of their official military duties
upon its expiration

 
PURPOSE:

Authorizes members of the armed forces to renew their vehicle registra-
tion early if they will be engaged in the performance of official mili-
tary duties at the time of its expiration.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 adds a new subdivision (4) to Article 4 section 251 of the
Vehicle and Traffic Law to read as follows:

4. Registration Renewal For Members of the Armed Forces. If a member of
              

the armed forces is expected to be engaged in the performance of ordered
military duties at the time of their motor vehicle expiration, the
Commissioner shall issue a renewal of their vehicle registration prior
to its expiration upon presentation of such active military service
member's military orders or a certified letter from such active military
service member's commanding officer verifying their duties, regardless
of the time remaining between such orders being presented and the expi-
ration of the vehicle's registration.

Section 2 establishes an effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

While members of the armed forces are away on deployment or training
exercises, it is often impossible for them to complete the administra-
tive requirements of vehicle registration renewal. However, under
current law, service members are unable to personally renew their vehi-
cle registration more than 60 days in advance of expiration, even if
they have orders that prove they will be engaged in the performance of
their official military duties at the time of expiration or 60 days
prior. Instead, current law requires that service members have another
person submit an "affirmation of renewal" on their behalf a needless
burden for those looking to shore up their affairs early, and an impos-
sibility for those who are stationed away from friends and family or are
otherwise lacking in social support.

This legislation aims to correct these administrative barriers by allow-
ing members of the armed forces to renew their vehicle registration at
any point in time by presenting their military orders to the DMV showing
that they will be occupied in their official duties at the time of expi-
ration, regardless of whether they are within the 60 day window for
early renewal or not.

This simple change will allow service members to more easily prepare for
deployment, ensure their administrative affairs are in order, and
streamline the process for those who may not have someone able to
complete the affirmation of renewal on their behalf, giving the men and
women of our military one less hurdle to clear so they can focus more
fully on the mission at hand.

 
BILL HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.