BILL NUMBER: S9528
SPONSOR: WEBB
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the public officers law,
in relation to establishing a school speed zone camera demonstration
program in the city of Ithaca; and providing for the repeal of such
provisions upon expiration thereof
 
PURPOSE:
Authorizes the City of Ithaca to establish a school speed zone camera
demonstration program.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law to add a new
section 1180-i authorizing the City of Ithaca to establish a school
speed zone demonstration program for up to 12 intersections. The camera
must not capture images that identify individuals or items inside the
vehicle. This amendment would hold the owner of the vehicle accountable
for paying a speeding fine if the vehicle is recorded traveling 10 miles
per hour or more over the speed limit in a school zone, and it estab-
lishes a range of applicable fines.
Section 2 of the bill amends subdivision 2 of § 87 of the Public Offi-
cers Law to provide public access to agency records by adding a new
paragraph to include records generated under section 1180-i, including
microphotographs, photographs, videotapes, and any other recorded
images.
Section 3 of the bill provides that the purchase or lease of equipment
for this pilot program is authorized. Such purchase or lease shall be
subject to the provisions of § 103 of the General Municipal Law, includ-
ing requirements relating to bids, offers, the letting of contracts, and
prohibitions on criminal conspiracies.
Section 4 of the bill establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The City of Ithaca seeks to improve roadway safety and protect pedestri-
ans, cyclists, and motorists from speeding, which is a leading cause of
severe crashes and fatalities. The City Council has endorsed the princi-
ples of the Public Safety Reform Report (2021), which urged the City to
develop alternative enforcement strategies that reduce reliance on
traditional police traffic stops. The Ithaca City Council believes that
reducing unnecessary traffic stops enhances safety for both residents
and officers, provided that any automated enforcement program is trans-
parent, equity-driven, and subject to public oversight.
The City also recognizes that automated enforcement must not replicate
patterns of over-policing and that camera placement must be guided by
safety data and engineering review rather than neighborhood demograph-
ics. New York State has previously authorized speed safety camera
programs in other municipalities, including New York City, Albany, Syra-
cuse, and Kingston, under Vehicle and Traffic Law §§ 1180-b and 1180-f.
Such legislation includes a $50 penalty, no points on a driver's
license, and due process protections.
This bill would authorize a school speed zone demonstration program in
the City of Ithaca, as requested by the City.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
N/A
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the 30th day after it has become law and
shall expire on December 31, 2030.

Statutes affected:
S9528: 87 public officers law, 87(2) public officers law