S1368

The New York State Senate passed S1368, sponsored by Sen. Serrano, creating a temporary state commission to study and make recommendations concerning the application of pesticides. The bill passed on a roll call vote, 60-0. The measure, which was Calendar Number 458, takes effect immediately upon passage.

The New York State Senate passed legislation requiring all stretch limousines to be retrofitted with rollover protection and anti-intrusion bars within two years, with a 62-1 vote on Calendar Number 141, Senate Print 1368. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Kennedy, emerged from the Limousine Safety Task Force created following fatal crashes in Cutchogue and Schoharie that killed 24 people combined. The task force included family members of victims, industry leaders, and safety experts. During debate, Sen. Tedisco expressed support for the measure but raised concerns that the task force should have waited for an Inspector General report on alleged negligence by the Department of Transportation and Department of Motor Vehicles before making recommendations. He called for the Transportation Committee to use its subpoena power to investigate alleged lack of communication between the two agencies. Sen. Kennedy responded that the task force would continue its work through the end of 2024 and hold public hearings as needed. Sen. Rhoads asked whether the two-year compliance timeline was realistic given the number of existing limousines that would need retrofitting, and Sen. Kennedy affirmed confidence in the timeline. Sen. Martins, voting in the affirmative, noted that comprehensive limousine safety standards were long overdue. Only Sen. Ortt voted against the bill.