BILL NUMBER: S1443A
SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to stretch
limousine age and mileage parameters
 
PURPOSE:
Establishes new regulations for stretch limousine age and mileage param-
eters to ensure stretch limousine upkeep and safety
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This legislation establishes new regulations for stretch limousine age
and mileage parameters so that any stretch limousine is either over 10
years old or has a cumulative mileage over 350,000 miles, whichever
occurs first. In accordance with the existing statutory definition,
stretch limousines are defined as altered motor vehicles having a seat-
ing capacity of 9 or more, including the driver, that are used in the
business of transporting passengers for compensation. The bill excludes
historical motor vehicles and exhibition or collector vehicles, not used
for the business of transporting passengers, from the definition of
stretch limousine, and empowers regulators to provide additional
exemptions based on a proven safety record.
If a reliable baseline odometer reading cannot be determined a stretch
limousine cannot be used for transporting passengers for compensation.
Should an operator know or have reason to know the odometer reading of
limousines differ from the actual miles traveled the operator must
disclose that to the commissioner and department of transportation imme-
diately.
 
EXISTING LAW:
None.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The legislation implements this recommendation from the Stretch Limou-
sine Passenger Safety Task Force established in Chapter 3 of the Laws of
2020, to study a host of safety improvements for stretch limousines. The
task force was created in the wake of deadly crashes in Schoharie and
Cutchogue, NY.
Stretch limousines are the vehicle of choice for celebratory occasions,
from family events, to birthdays, to weddings, to the annual ritual of
prom. But they also present unique challenges that implicate the safety
of drivers and passengers alike.
As with any area where multiple state agencies must collaborate, period-
ic review of inter-agency and external communication is critical to
ensure passenger safety. By adding age and mileage restrictions on
stretch limousines based on the Task Force's recommendations and similar
steps undertaken by regulators in other states, passengers will be
better protected from poorly or under maintained vehicles.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect two years after it shall have become a law.
Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule
or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effec-
tive date.

Statutes affected:
S1443: 375 vehicle and traffic law
S1443A: 375 vehicle and traffic law