S1369
An act to amend Chapter 3 of the Laws of 2020 (limousine safety reform - task force extension) — 2023-01-31 · Calendar #142
The New York State Senate passed legislation extending the Stretch Limousine Passenger Safety Task Force, which has been developing safety reforms following fatal limousine crashes that killed 24 people in 2015 and 2018. Senate Print 1369, sponsored by Sen. Kennedy, extends the task force's mandate and empowers it to hold hearings and make further recommendations based on safety data and an Inspector General report. The bill passed 59-0 on a roll call vote. Sen. Kennedy credited victim families for driving the legislative initiative and noted that New York's 2020 limousine safety reforms became a national model adopted by the federal government. Sen. Oberacker, representing Schoharie County where 20 people died in the October 2018 crash, said the state must enforce current laws and make meaningful revisions to improve highway safety. Kennedy thanked Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and colleagues including Sens. Hinchey, Scarcella-Spanton, Breslin, and Martinez for their leadership on the package of limousine safety bills being considered.
PASSED
Ayes: 59
· Nays: N/A
Debate Summary
Sen. Kennedy and Sen. Oberacker spoke in support of the bill, which extends the Stretch Limousine Passenger Safety Task Force and empowers it to continue safety work following fatal limousine crashes in 2015 and 2018. Kennedy highlighted that New York's 2020 limousine safety reforms became a national model adopted by the federal government, and credited victim families for driving legislative action. Oberacker, representing the district where 20 people died in the 2018 Schoharie crash, emphasized the need to enforce current laws and support the task force's recommendations to prevent further tragedies.