BILL NUMBER: S5400
SPONSOR: SCARCELLA-SPANTON
 
PURPOSE:
This bill exempts law enforcement and fire departments from laws which
regulate vessels on the navigable waters of the state while in the
course of responding to emergencies.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Adds a new section 39-b of the Navigation Law to provide an exemption
from certain laws for law enforcement vessels responding to emergencies
on the navigable waters of the state.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The New York State Harbormaster & Bay Constable Association have raised
a concern that NYS Navigation Law does not exempt bona fide law enforce-
ment agencies and fire departments from deviating from the State Law
when responding to emergencies or in pursuit of law enforcement activ-
ities. Such exemptions currently exist in the NYS Vehicle and Traffic
Law concerning police and emergency vehicles. This omission may become
an issue of liability on the part of State, County and Local government.
This legislation will remedy the situation.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024; Held in Assembly Transportation Committee.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.