BILL NUMBER: S8761
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to exempting
farmers from commercial driver's license requirements while operating a
covered farm vehicle
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this legislation is to provide an exemption from commer-
cial drivers licensing restrictions to farm owners and farm employees.
This exemption would allow farmers to get their agricultural products to
market and processing plants in a dependable and timely manner.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Subdivision 8 of section 501-a of the vehicle and traffic law
is amended.
Section 2: Paragraph (d)of subdivision 2 of section 501 of the vehicle
and traffic law is amended by adding a new subparagraph (iii).
Section 3: Establishes an effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
There is a national shortage of Commercial Driver's License (CDL) truck
drivers and in New York State, as well. The CDL driver shortage has been
particularly difficult for farmers who must transport their perishable
products in a timely manner. Farmers who are unable to have a driver
available can face the prospect of experiencing the financially devas-
tation of loss of crops.
This legislation would assist farmers in getting their agricultural
products to processing plants and markets during this time of truck
driver shortages. The change in law would provide an exemption from CDL
for farm owners and farm employees hauling farm equipment and products
within 150 miles of a farm without an F or G endorsement on their
license. This exemption would provide farmers with certainty of getting
products and equipment to where it is needed in a timely manner.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
This legislation will assist farmers by allowing them to transport crops
to be processed and to market in a more cost effective and efficient
manner which would result in high sales and income tax revenue to the
State.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effective immediately.

Statutes affected:
S8761: 501-a vehicle and traffic law, 501-a(8) vehicle and traffic law