BILL NUMBER: S544
SPONSOR: STEC
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to establishing
speed limits in towns
 
PURPOSE:
To permit towns to set speed limits on all local roads under their
jurisdiction.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 This bill would amend section 1622 of the Vehicle and Traffic
Law to authorize towns to establish maximum speed limits on all town
highways that are functionally classified as "local roads," within
limits and standards set forth in the bill. The bill would require towns
electing to set maximum speed limits to do so on all local roads under
their jurisdiction in accordance with engineering specifications and
other factors applicable to speed limits, set forth in the New York
State manual and specifications for a uniform system of traffic control
devices, certified by a licensed professional engineer specializing in
traffic operations. For towns which do not opt to set speed limits, the
bill would retain the State Department of Transportation's jurisdiction
to set maximum speed limits on all such roads, at the request of the
applicable town board.
Section 2 Contains the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This legislation will allow the remaining towns (approximately 852
towns), suburban class towns (approximately 56 towns), and all cities
and villages (without regard to population) are authorized to set speed
limits within their jurisdiction
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S25 referred to Transportation; A2480 referred to Transporta-
tion
2022/2021: S5182 referred to Transportation; A1321 referred to Transpor-
tation
2020/2019: S1941 referred to Transportation; A907 referred to Transpor-
tation
2018/2017: S389 passed Senate; A7151 referred to Transportation
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately,
the department of transportation is authorized and directed to promul-
gate such rules and regulations as are necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date.