BILL NUMBER: S4382A
SPONSOR: WALCZYK
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to designating
as peace officers certain Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority security
personnel
 
PURPOSE:
To designate as peace officers, security personnel at Ogdensburg Inter-
national Airport, who are presently carrying firearms pursuant to the
stringent permitting process under section 400.00 of the penal law.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Amends 2.10 of the Criminal Procedure Law to designate as peace offi-
cers, security personnel at Ogdensburg International Airport, who are
presently carrying firearms pursuant to the stringent permitting process
under section 400.00 of the penal law.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority (OBPA) requests this legis-
lation because of the need to meet TSA security requirements. While
OBPA has inherent authority to provide security for the Ogdensburg
International Airport, under the New York Public Authorities Law, it
cannot hire peace officers without additional legislation. Security
guards do not meet TSA safety requirements and make this additional
legislation is necessary.
Currently Ogdensburg International Airport Security is provided by
Ogdensburg police officers, however, there is a shortage of personnel at
the Ogdensburg police department necessitating OBPA's need to hire its
own peace officers. Their intention is to hire retired law enforcement
officers so that they are not competing with the city's recruitment
needs.
There is an urgency to this legislation because the OBPA is attempting
to recruit new carriers to the Ogdensburg International Airport, howev-
er, if providing sufficient airport security remains an issue, it will
be difficult to attract more flight and carriers to the airport.
Nothing in this bill is intended to change the requirement that these
security personnel must continue to comply with the stringent permitting
process for the carrying of firearms under section 400.00 of the New
York State Penal Law, the requirements of which must be complied with by
all persons other than persons designated as police officers. This bill
is necessary to comply with federal law, and more importantly to main-
tain airport safety.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023: Passed Assembly;S4382 Referred to Codes
2021-2022: S9373 Referred to Codes
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S4382: 2.10 criminal procedure law
S4382A: 2.10 criminal procedure law