S4488-2011 Actions

• Feb 6, 2012: referred to transportation
• Feb 6, 2012: DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
• Feb 6, 2012: PASSED SENATE
• Jan 30, 2012: ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
• Jan 24, 2012: 2ND REPORT CAL.
• Jan 23, 2012: 1ST REPORT CAL.117
• Jan 4, 2012: REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
• Jan 4, 2012: returned to senate
• Jan 4, 2012: died in assembly
• Jun 16, 2011: referred to transportation
• Jun 16, 2011: DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
• Jun 16, 2011: PASSED SENATE
• May 9, 2011: ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
• May 4, 2011: 2ND REPORT CAL.
• May 3, 2011: 1ST REPORT CAL.515
• Apr 13, 2011: PRINT NUMBER 4488A
• Apr 13, 2011: AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO TRANSPORTATION
• Apr 6, 2011: REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

S4488-2011 Votes

S4488-2011 Memo

BILL NUMBER:S4488

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to signs on school
buses

PURPOSE:
To allow school bus signs, that are currently required to be
illuminated, to be constructed with reflectorized TYPE III material.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 allows the required two "SCHOOL BUS" signs displayed on
school buses to be constructed with the reflectorized TYPE III
material. Additionally, this section states that the reflectorized
signs do not need to be illuminated during the period between
one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise.

Section 2 effective date

JUSTIFICATION:
Advancements in technology has made the illuminated
sign requirement on school buses obsolete. Existing technology for
Type III photo reflectorized coatings and graphics similar to those
used on traffic signs will allow for signs to be made economically,
with industry-standard materials and offer advantages beyond the
illuminated signs.

The current required illuminated signs are more expensive, both
initially and to maintain. The lights require additional wiring and
are no longer a standard item for manufacturers - New York is one of
only two states (Maine) that require this feature. Additionally,
these lights accumulate snow and ice and are often times found to be
the source of water leaks and leading to structural corrosion. Both
of these negative externalities can now be avoided with the use of
reflectorized coatings and graphics.

This technology will also allows the text to conform to the curved
shape of the bus design maintaining adequate visibility while
slightly improving aerodynamics.

The incorporation of photo-reflective materials, for the "SCHOOL BUS"
signs will enhance safety, while lowering purchasing and operating
costs for school districts.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2009-2010 - S.8213 Third Reading Calendar

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Estimated cost savings to school districts by
reducing the costs of new buses and bus maintenance.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred and
twentieth day after it shall have become law.

S4488-2011 Text

 S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 
 
                                         4488
 2011-2012 Regular Sessions
 I N  SENATE
 April 6, 2011
 
 Introduced  by  Sens.  FUSCHILLO,  DILAN,  DeFRANCISCO, GRIFFO, JOHNSON,
 LARKIN, OPPENHEIMER, RANZENHOFER, SAMPSON, STAVISKY -- read twice  and
 ordered  printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on
 Transportation
 

AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in  relation  to  signs  on
 school buses
 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

Section 1. Subparagraph 1 of paragraph (b) and paragraph (c) of subdi
 vision 20 of section 375 of the vehicle and traffic law, subparagraph  1
 of paragraph (b) as amended by chapter 242 of the laws of 1992 and para
 graph  (c)  as amended by chapter 96 of the laws of 1973, are amended to
 read as follows:

 (1) In addition to such signal lamps, two signs shall be conspicuously
 displayed [on the exterior] CENTERED ON THE UPPER FRONT OF REAR EXTERIOR
 BODY SURFACES of every such omnibus designating it as a  school  omnibus
 by  the  use  of  the  words  "SCHOOL  BUS" [which]. SUCH SIGNS SHALL BE
 CONSTRUCTED WITH REFLECTORIZED TYPE III MATERIAL AS REQUIRED BY  49  CFR
 571.131  S6.1  TABLE  1 FOR BOTH THE BACKGROUND AND LETTERING. THE BACK
 GROUND SHALL BE NATIONAL SCHOOL BUS CHROME AND THE  LETTERING  SHALL  BE
 BLACK.  THE LETTERING shall be painted or otherwise inscribed thereon in
 black letters.  [Such letters] THE LETTERING shall be of  uniform  size,
 at least eight inches in height, and each stroke of each letter shall be
 not  less  than  one  inch in width.   [The background of each such sign
 shall be painted the color known as "national school  bus  chrome."  For
 each  such  omnibus having a seating capacity in excess of fifteen chil-
 dren, such signs shall be securely mounted on top of such  vehicle,  one
 of which shall be affixed on the front and one on the rear thereof.] For
 each  such  omnibus  having  a seating capacity of not more than fifteen
 children, such signs shall be securely mounted on top of  such  vehicle,
 one  of  which shall face the front and one of which shall face the rear
 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD03022-04-1
 
       S. 4488                             2
 [thereof].  [Each] ALL such [sign] "SCHOOL BUS" SIGNS shall  be  visible
 and readable from a point at least two hundred feet distant.
 (c)  In  the event such vehicle is operated on a public highway during
 the period between one-half hour after sunset and one-half  hour  before
 sunrise,  the  signs required by paragraph (b) of this subdivision shall
 be illuminated as to be visible from a point at least five hundred  feet
 distant.  REFLECTORIZED  SIGNS  ALLOWED IN SUBPARAGRAPH ONE OF PARAGRAPH
 (B) OF THIS SUBDIVISION ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE ILLUMINATED.
 

S 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
 it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the  commissioner  of
 motor vehicles is authorized to promulgate any necessary rules and regu
 lations for the implementation of this act.

*By contributing or voting you agree to the Terms of Participation and Privacy Policy and verify you are over 13.

Discuss!