BILL NUMBER: S4615
SPONSOR: WEIK
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the highway law, in relation to designating a portion of
the state highway system as "Charlie Bunger Sr. Way"
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Designates a portion of the state highway system as "Charlie Bunger Sr.
Way".
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1: The highway law is amended by adding a new section 344-p to
designate a portion of Montauk Highway in the Village of Babylon as
"Charlie Hunger Sr. Way".
Section 2: directs the commissioner of transportation to provide for the
installation and maintenance of adequate signing of the state highway
system as designated in section one. However, to avoid confusion and to
limit any possible disruption of commerce, the designation called for
pursuant to section one of this act shall be one of ceremonial nature
and the official name of such highway shall not be changed as a result
of this act.
Section 3: Sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Local businesses such as the legendary Bunger Surf Shop are the backbone
of our economy. Charlie Bunger Sr. began making surf boards at the age
of 20 in his basement, as word got out about his craftsmanship, orders
for his surfboards began to increase. In 1962 Charlie moved Bunger Surf-
boards into a 2,000 square foot building in Lindenhurst and opened his
first retail store in Copiague. Today, Bunger Surfboards has 4,000
square feet of retail space in Babylon Village, New York and operates a
2,000 square foot manufacturing facility in West Babylon. The Bunger
name is synonymous with surfboards up and down the east coast and around
the world. Charlie is an inaugural member of the East Coast Surf Legends
Hall of Fame, and a member of the International Surfboard Builders Hall
of Fame and the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame. Although Charlie passed
away in 2018, his legacy lives on. The Bunger Surf Shop in Babylon
Village is recognized as one of the premier shops for surfing goods in
the world and remains the oldest surf company store in North America
among shops that have never changed ownership or location. The Bunger
Surf Shop remains a successful family operated business, and in addition
to surfboards, continues to provide surf lessons and camps to children
and adults.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023 S8790A Transportation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.