Relates to signs on school buses; authorizes the commissioner of motor vehicles to promulgate any necessary rules and regulations.

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S753-2013 Actions

• Mar 6, 2013: referred to transportation
• Mar 6, 2013: DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
• Mar 6, 2013: PASSED SENATE
• Mar 5, 2013: ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
• Mar 4, 2013: 2ND REPORT CAL.
• Feb 28, 2013: 1ST REPORT CAL.135
• Jan 9, 2013: REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

S753-2013 Meetings

Transportation: Feb 28, 2013

S753-2013 Calendars

Active List: Mar 6, 2013 , Floor Calendar: Mar 4, 2013 , Floor Calendar: Mar 5, 2013 , Floor Calendar: Mar 6, 2013

S753-2013 Votes

S753-2013 Memo

BILL NUMBER:S753

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.

EXISTING LAW:
Current law mandates two signs shall be conspicuously
displayed designating an omnibus as a school bus by the use of the
words "SCHOOL BUS" and creates standards for the size and color of
the text.
Additionally, current law requires that these signs be illuminated
one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise.

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:
2011-2012:  Passed the Senate (S.4488A/A.8174)
2009-2010:  Third Reading Calendar (S.8213)


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.

S753-2013 Text

                      S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
  ________________________________________________________________________

                                     753

                         2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                              I N  SENATE

                                 (PREFILED)

                               January 9, 2013
                                 ___________

  Introduced  by  Sens. FUSCHILLO, DeFRANCISCO, GALLIVAN, LARKIN, MAZIARZ,
    PERKINS -- 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  and
  a new subparagraph (1-a) is added to paragraph (b) to read as follows:

    (1) In addition to such signal lamps, two signs shall be conspicuously
  displayed  on  the  exterior  of  every such omnibus designating it as a
  school omnibus by the use of the  words  "SCHOOL  BUS"  which  shall  be
  painted  or  otherwise inscribed thereon in black letters.  Such letters
  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 OR  OTHERWISE  APPLIED  IN
  the  color  known as "national school bus chrome." For each such omnibus
  having a seating capacity in excess  of  fifteen  children,  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 thereof. Each such
  sign shall be visible and readable from a point  at  least  two  hundred
  feet distant.

   EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                        [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                             LBD01345-01-3

 S. 753                              2

    (1-A) ANY SIGN REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPH ONE OF THIS PARAGRAPH
  MAY  BE CONSTRUCTED WITH REFLECTORIZED TYPE III MATERIAL CONSISTENT WITH
  49 CFR 571.131 S6.1 TABLE 1.
    (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, PROVIDED HOWEVER THAT IF A MATERIAL IS USED PURSUANT TO SUBPAR-
  AGRAPH  ONE-A OF PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, NO SUCH ILLUMINATION
  SHALL BE REQUIRED.
    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.