BILL NUMBER: S457
SPONSOR: PALUMBO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to directing
the commissioner of motor vehicles to provide certain services on Fish-
ers Island for a limited period of time
 
PURPOSE:
To require the commissioner of motor vehicles to provide department
services to the residents of Fishers Island in Suffolk County.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This bill would require the DMV commissioner to deputize a person or in
lieu thereof utilize department personnel to issue licenses and regis-
trations with the accompanying required tests (written, road, eye,
photographs) at least twice a year for two business days from a facility
located on Fishers Island.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Fishers Island in the town of Southold is only accessible by ferry from
New London, Connecticut. In order to get to the motor vehicle office in
Riverhead, an island resident must take the ferry to new London then the
ferry to Orient Point and drive to Riverhead a total distance of 57
miles totaling a nearly three-hour trip one way. In prior years, the DMV
would have their personnel travel to the island to take care of the
residents. This practice has been discontinued and has resulted in seri-
ous hardship.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024 S.4805/A.22649; 2022 S.4639/A.6026; 2020 A.6005; 2018
S.5036/A.6701; 2016 S.4758/A.6940; 2014 S.3519; 2012 S.6995/A.9882.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the nineteenth day after it shall have
become law.

Statutes affected:
S457: 206 vehicle and traffic law