BILL NUMBER: S1835
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the solic-
itation of donations on state highways
 
PURPOSE:
To allow fundraising on public highways for fire companies, volunteer
ambulance services, and non-profit organizations on highways not exceed-
ing 30 miles per hour outside cities and villages so long as the town
has not passed a local law prohibiting it.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends section 1157 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding
a subdivision (d), which allows individuals 18 years of age and older to
solicit on behalf of fire companies, volunteer ambulance services, and
non-profit organizations on highways not exceeding 30 miles per hour
outside cities and villages so long as the town has not passed a local a
law prohibiting it.
Section 2: Sets effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Fundraising on public highways is a popular and inexpensive way for fire
companies, volunteer ambulance services, and non-profit organizations to
raise money. Without these funds, services to our communities would
diminish, or taxes would need{ to be raised to help pay for them.
Currently, organizations can only solicit funds on public highways with-
in a city or village. Many people fundraising in small towns on behalf
of these organizations may be unknowingly breaking the law. This bill
provides an exception to the prohibition on soliciting on highways
outside cities and villages by allowing fire companies, volunteer ambu-
lance services, and nonprofit organizations to do so as long as the town
has not passed a local law prohibiting it.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Senate
2016: S7655A, Passed Senate
2017: S1027, Passed Senate
2018: S1027, Referred to Transportation
2019: S4104A, Referred to Transportation
2020: S4104A, Advanced to Third Reading
2021: S1649, Advanced to Third Reading
2022: S1649, Advanced to Third Reading
2023: S1129, Referred to Transportation
2024: S1129, Referred to Transportation
Assembly
2016: A8690-A, Referred to Transportation
2017: A386, Referred to Transportation
2018: A386, Referred to Transportation
2019: A3400-A, Passed Assembly
2020: A3400A, Passed Assembly
2021: A6496, Passed Assembly
2022: A6496, Passed Assembly
2023: A5409, Passed Assembly
2024: A5409, Passed Assembly
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S1835: 1157 vehicle and traffic law