BILL NUMBER: S3134
SPONSOR: COONEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the transportation law, in relation to requiring the
department of transportation to maintain a website or webpage where
users may report defects on state highways and bridges
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To create an interactive website where motorists can report potholes.
Section 1 amends transportation law section 14 by adding a new subdivi-
sion 36 to provide that the commissioner shall establish an interactive
website by which persons may report the locations of potholes on the
state highway system, and receive, at such person's request, notifica-
tion when repairs to the reported pothole have been completed. The
commissioner shall also post the locations of each reported pothole on
such interactive website until such time as such potholes are repaired.
Section 2 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The number and severity of potholes on state roads are creating an emer-
gency. Some unattended potholes have become craters. Many cars that have
driven over them have suffered tire blow-outs or more significant
damage. Additionally, cars are swerving to avoid them or stopping short,
which could result in serious accidents.
While the Department of Transportation has a pothole hotline, New York
should follow the lead of other states that use the current technology
to post the location of each reported pothole to alert motorists to the
location of these potholes.
The proposed interactive website would allow drivers to assist the
Department in identifying and prioritizing work and allow them to avoid
potholes that have been reported. This interactive website could prevent
many accidents from occurring and damage to cars.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S.9497
2021-22: S.3882A Passed Senate
2020: S.4189A Reported and Committed to Finance
2019: S.4189A Passed Senate, died in Assembly
2018: S.5079 vetoed Memo. 353; same as At 992
2016: A965A passed Assembly; same as S1466-A referred to transportation;
2014: A8878 referred to transportation; same as S6727 (Kennedy) referred
to transportation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal and may be covered by existing DOT appropriations
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
120 days after it shall have become law

Statutes affected:
S3134: 14 transportation law