BILL NUMBER: S9508
SPONSOR: COONEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to authorizing
the issuance of distinctive license plates for family members of paid
professional firefighters who died in the line-of-duty
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue "Survivor of the
Bravest" license plates to family members of a paid professional fire
fighter who died in the line of duty in celebration of the efforts and
sacrifices made by these firefighters to vigilantly serve their communi-
ties.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of this bill would add a new section, 404-ff, to the Vehicle
and Traffic Law.
Subdivision 1 of this new section establishes the definition of the term
"family members of a paid professional firefighter who died in the line
of duty".
Subdivision 2 of this new section provides the procedure through which a
family member of a paid professional firefighter who died in the line of
duty may obtain a Survivor of the Bravest license plate from the Depart-
ment of Motor Vehicles.
Subdivision 3 of this new section provides that a Survivor of the
Bravest license plate will be issued upon proof that the applicant is a
family member of a paid professional firefighter who died in the line
of-duty.
Subdivision 4 of this new section provides that a Survivor of the
Bravest license plate shall be issued in the same manner as other number
plates, except that there is an additional annual service charge of
twenty-five dollars for this license plate. This annual service charge
shall be deposited in the Department of Motor Vehicles' distinctive
plate development fund that has been established pursuant to State
Finance Law section 95-g.
Section two of this bill provides that the Survivor of the Bravest
license plate shall only be designed, produced and issued after the
Department receives a bond in the amount of $6,000. If after 2 years
from the date that the license plates became available for sale, 200 or
more sets of license plates have been sold, the bond may be discontin-
ued. If less than 200 license plates have been sold, the Department may
recover against the bond in an amount proportionate to the shortfall.
Section three of this bill provides that this act shall take effect on
the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law;
provided, however, that section two of this act shall take effect imme-
diately; provided further, however, that effective immediately, the
addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary
for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized
and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
These "Survivor of the Bravest" license plates will recognize the many
contributions and valuable services performed by our State's paid
professional firefighters. The attacks of September llth took the lives
of many paid professional firefighters who were called upon to rescue
victims and protect New Yorkers. On a daily basis these real-life heroes
continue to battle against arson, make daring rescue attempts and face
incredible danger. It is only fitting that we recognize those who have
lost their lives in the line of duty protecting the citizens of our
state.
"Survivor of the Bravest" license plates would be a small token of our
appreciation-to the family members of these incredible public servants
and would recognize the selfless heroism and supreme sacrifices that
these professional firefighters have made.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: S.3873/A.6777
2020: A.1276 - Referred to Transportation / S.4976 Referred to Transpor-
tation
2019: A.1276 - Referred to Transportation / S.4976 Passed Senate
2018: A8200 - Transportation / S.226 - Passed Senate
2017: A.8200 - Referred to Transportation/ S.226-A - Passed Senate
2016: A.4456 - Referred to Transportation/S.690 - Referred to Transpor-
tation
2013: A.562 - Referred to Transportation/S.1960 - Passed Senate
2012: A.350 - Referred to Transportation/S.7056 - Referred to Transpor-
tation
2010: A.2539 - Referred to Transportation/S.499 - Referred to Transpor-
tation
2009: A.2539 - Referred to Transportation/S.499 - Referred to Transpor-
tation
2008: A.7036 - Referred to Transportation/S.4046 - Referred to Transpor-
tation
2007: A.7036 - Referred to Transportation/S.4046 - Referred to Transpor-
tation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Minimal.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law; provided, however, that section two of this act
shall take effect immediately; provided further, however, that effective
immediately, the addition, amendment, and/or repeal of any rule or regu-
lation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective
date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before
such effective date.