A5606

Assembly Bill 5606, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law, was laid aside during Senate floor consideration. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymember Magnarelli and designated Calendar Number 1680, did not proceed to a vote after Sen. Lanza requested postponement of the bill.

The Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation restructuring the distribution of fines from work zone speed cameras, passing 60-1 with only Sen. Weik voting in opposition. The bill ensures that municipalities where work zone speed violations are adjudicated receive 20 percent of fines, addressing concerns that local communities hosting construction projects were not sharing in revenue from the camera program. The state retains 80 percent of fines, with 60 percent dedicated to a Work Zone Safety Fund for initiatives including worker safety training, traffic control measures, radar speed display signs, and police presence in active work zones. Sen. Kennedy, the bill's sponsor, emphasized that the program is fundamentally about protecting construction workers on dangerous job sites. He noted that in the first month of implementation, the cameras recorded over 3,500 violations on Department of Transportation roads and over 400 on the Thruway, including one vehicle traveling at 99 mph in a work zone. The bill was crafted in consultation with State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli to ensure that Nassau and Suffolk counties, which lack local traffic enforcement agencies, receive appropriate revenue from violations adjudicated in their jurisdictions. Supporters praised the bill for balancing worker safety with fair revenue-sharing to local communities. The measure passed with broad bipartisan support.