SUMMARY | An act to amend the education law, in relation to amendments to transportation contracts for the purpose of zero-emission school bus compliance

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL | The purpose of this bill is to help school districts comply with the statewide mandate to transition to zero-emission school buses.

JUSTIFICATION | The 2022-23 enacted state budget required school districts to only purchase or lease zero-emission school buses by 2027 and required all school buses in operation to be zero-emission by 2035. Since the enactment of this law, there have been concerns raised by school districts and school bus contractors about the need to modify existing transportation contracts to implement this requirement. This bill would allow school districts the flexibility to amend their current transportation contracts while still ensuring 'that there is a control on costs.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS | Section 1 would allow a school district and a transportation contractor to amend a transportation contract to comply with the statewide transition to zero-emission school buses as long as such amendment is a onetime contract modification that provides for a single year increase less than two times the rate of change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or such amendment results in a one-time contract modification that is approved by the Commissioner of Education and provides for a single year increase less than three times the rate of change in the CPI. This section also requires the Commissioner of Education to promulgate regulations regarding the criteria to approve such contract.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | New bill. Introduced and referred to committee on Assembly Education on 5/17/2023. Referred to Assembly Ways & Means Committee on 5/24/2023.

NY State Senate Bill | S6451 (Kennedy)

SUMMARY | To increase the penalties for passing a stopped school bus.

JUSTIFICATION | Current law provides that an individual convicted two or more times of speeding in a construction zone be subject to a sixty-day suspension of his or her drivers' license. Passing a stopped school bus two or more times, however, does not currently carry such a penalty. There is no doubt that passing a stopped school bus poses as much, if not more, risk to life and limb as speeding in a construction zone and thus should have similar penalties.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Bill was referred to Transportation. Introduced in every legislative session since 2009/10.

NY State Senate Bill | S6241 (Weber)

SUMMARY | This bill allows BOCES to install school bus stop sign cameras.

PURPOSE | This bill would permit boards of cooperative education services to install school bus stop sign cameras on their vehicles.

JUSTIFICATION | In 2019, New York enacted legislation to permit the installation of school bus stop sign cameras. Unfortunately, the statute as currently written only allows for school districts to install these cameras following adoption of local laws. This leaves boards of cooperative educational services unable to install such cameras. This bill amends the 2019 law to allow for BOCES to install cameras on the buses that they operate.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | New bill and was referred to the Education Committees.

SUMMARY | An act to amend the transportation law, in relation to the purchase of zero-emission buses; to amend the public authorities law and the general municipal law, in relation to the procurement of electric-powered buses, vehicles or other related equipment; and to amend the public service law, in relation to infrastructure and capacity related to charging of electric buses and a tariff for zero-emission bus charging

PURPOSE | Requires public transportation systems as part of the normal replacement of each system's fleet to purchase zero-emission buses and related equipment and facilities starting in 2029; provide that the department of transportation shall consider such requirement in the formulating and disbursement of its capital plans; and provide that the department of transportation shall facilitate coordination between certain public transportation systems for purposes of zero-emission bus purchasing, installation and sharing of services, and provides for a separate elec- tric charging pricing tariff for transit systems.

JUSTIFICATION | As part of New York's commitment to reduce detrimental air pollution, this bill would put in place a statewide requirement for all public transportation systems to begin replacing their bus fleets with zero-emission buses in 2029. The bill compliments a number of other commitments made to combating climate change, including the MTA's announcement in 2019 that it would only purchase zero-emission buses beginning in 2029; and the New York climate leadership and community protection act, which establishes the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% of 1990 levels by 2030 and 100% by 2050. To reach the broad climate protection goals, New York needs both a holistic approach as well as targeted tactics. This bill would do the latter, to help form a cleaner transportation system for all New Yorkers. This bill anticipates workforce displacement issues by protecting collective bargaining rights and providing for workforce training. It additionally requires NYSERDA to come up with a roadmap for agencies to follow on how to best install and maintain charging equipment. Finally, in recognition of the high on demand prices to charge vehicles, the bill directs PSC to create a pricing tariff to make electricity comparable, if not cheaper, in price than traditional motor fuels.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Both are new bills. The Senate Bill was originally introduced in the Transportation Committee but was recommitted to the Finance Committee in April. The Assembly Bill was referred to Government Ops.

NY State Assembly Bill | A5950 (Anderson)

SUMMARY | This bill prohibits school buses from parking on NYC streets overnight. Section 1 amends the Administrative Code of the City of New York by adding a new Section 19-611 that prohibits school buses operated by or pursuant to a contract with the board of education for transportation of students to or from public schools from parking overnight on a city street.

PURPOSE | This legislation will prohibit school buses from parking on city streets overnight.

JUSTIFICATION | School buses should not be allowed to overtake city streets for use of parking such vehicles overnight.

Many residential neighborhoods that contain a public school already bear the burden of congestion on their local streets due to daily drop-offs and pickups of school children during the week. This can often cause significant difficulties for these residents in their ability to get in and out of their homes and find parking in their neighborhoods.

A recent trend in certain neighborhoods has resulted in school buses parking overnight only worsening an already difficult parking situation on city streets. Residents should not be required to compete with these large vehicles and the owners of these buses should be required to provide necessary offsite overnight parking.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | New Bill and is in Cities.

NY State Senate Bill | S4646 (Kennedy)

SUMMARY | Creates a small business electric energy tax credit.

JUSTIFICATION | Small businesses are critical to the economic health and growth of our state. Small businesses are a powerful engine of new job growth, and a source of innovation that will keep our state competitive around the world. Energy costs have risen faster than many small businesses could have predicted or planned for, and as a result, many find themselves under financial pressure.

The bill applies to companies with less than 20 employees. It is estimated that 366,000 businesses employing 1.4 million New Yorkers will be impacted by this legislation. This bill will help to offset these increased costs by offering a tax credit and help to ensure that our small businesses will remain healthy and productive. These tax credits will also help to hold overhead down and make our small businesses better able to compete both nationally and internationally.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 2/14/23 and referred to Ways and Means. This bill has been introduced in every legislative session since 2009/10.

NY State Assembly Bill | A7262 (Burke)

SUMMARY | Amends the Vehicle and Traffic law in relation to exempting new clean fuel vehicles and vehicles that meet the clean vehicle standards

PURPOSE | To ensure that school children are safely escorted on and off of their school buses by an adult school bus attendant or monitor. Such attendants or monitors will accompany these students on and off of the school bus to ensure that students are visible as they cross the road, are a safe distance from the bus or any other motor vehicles and make it safely out of the road.

JUSTIFICATION | According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),

the greatest risk for children who ride a school bus to and from school is when they approach the bus and when they exit the bus. The NHTSA also notes that while every state in America has a law making it illegal to pass a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended to load or unload students, many motorists simply choose to ignore the law.

It is estimated that in New York State, 50,000 motor vehicles illegally pass school buses every day. While education and enforcements efforts can help curb these behaviors, this staggering figure clearly underscores the need for additional actions to ensure that our school children make it to school and back home safely. Recently, a more disturbing trend has emerged whereby motorists have been passing stopped buses on the shoulder of the road - where children enter and exit the bus.

This legislation will help prevent further injuries and fatalities from occurring by ensuring that a responsible adult is helping these students on an off the bus and is looking out for dangerous drivers who choose to disregard the law by passing a stopped school bus. School bus attendants or monitors will also be able to ensure the safety of all students who ride the bus by monitoring students and making sure they are behaving and abiding by the rules. Having an attendant on board every school bus that is transporting children will ensure the safety and the wellbeing of our children.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 1/31/23 and referred to Transportation. This bill was first introduced in 2019/20 and introduced in every legislative session since.

SUMMARY | These bills mandate that school buses cannot be operated unless all pupils are wearing their seatbelts.

PURPOSE | To provide that vans or suburban automobiles used as school buses cannot be operated unless pupils are wearing seat belts.

JUSTIFICATION | Currently, there are car-like vans / suburban automobiles that are used as "mini school buses". As a result of the vehicle's usage as a school bus, the New York State seat belt law does not apply. However, if this same vehicle were not being used for the purpose of pupil transportation, it would fall within the realm of New York state law. These vehicles do not have the compartmentalization safety feature that regular school buses possess, which is a main tool in protecting' students during an accident, and is part; of the reasoning behind the state's lack of a mandatory seat belt policy on school buses, students who are traveling in these "mini school buses" during their trip to and from school should not be afforded less protection simply because the van is being utilized as a "school bus", and current law fails to address the issue.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Bill introduced every year since 2017-2018 (in transportation committee). Actively monitoring the bill – position is neutral.

SUMMARY | This bill requires manufacturers to engrave serial numbers on all catalytic converters.

PURPOSE | To address the theft of catalytic converters by requiring manufacturers to engrave serial numbers on all catalytic converters.

JUSTIFICATION | This bill is intended to address the theft of catalytic converters in New York. Catalytic converters are an exhaust emission control device that clear the toxic gasses emitted from the exhaust pipe of a car. The NYPD Auto Theft Division reported that in 2019, there were close to 3,400 thefts - in 2021, that number grew to over 14,000.

Currently, there are no markings on catalytic converters to make them unique, so if stolen, they can be sold for the metals or resold in whole to others. Since they are nonspecific parts, the police rarely are able to solve these cases, if reported. Depending on the type of vehicle, replacing one can cost anywhere from $1000-$2500. To help prevent this theft, this bill would require manufacturers to engrave a non-removable serial number on all catalytic converters to ensure that they are traceable. Applying unique serial numbers to these parts will function as a preventative measure for theft.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced in 2021-22: S.9273 (Thomas) / A.9813 (Forrest) - Referred to Consumer Protection. No movement- in Consumer Protection Committee. NYSBCA strongly supports this bill is in communication with the bill sponsor Senator Thomas highlighting our support.

SUMMARY | This bill prohibits school buses from parking on NYC streets overnight. Section 1 amends the Administrative Code of the City of New York by adding a new Section 19-611 that prohibits school buses operated by or pursuant to a contract with the board of education for transportation of students to or from public schools from parking overnight on a city street.

PURPOSE | This legislation will prohibit school buses from parking on city streets overnight.

JUSTIFICATION |  School buses should not be allowed to overtake city streets for use of parking such vehicles overnight.

Many residential neighborhoods that contain a public school already bear the burden of congestion on their local streets due to daily drop-offs and pickups of school children during the week. This can often cause significant difficulties for these residents in their ability to get in and out of their homes and find parking in their neighborhoods.

A recent trend in certain neighborhoods has resulted in school buses parking overnight only worsening an already difficult parking situation on city streets. Residents should not be required to compete with these large vehicles and the owners of these buses should be required to provide necessary offsite overnight parking.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Held in Committee at Sponsor’s request 3/15/23. This language appears in the Budget however.

2021-2022: S.1921 - Reported and Committed to Finance/A.7196 - Referred to Cities

2019-2020: S.5723 - Referred to Cities/A.4716-A - Referred to Cities

2017-2018: S.1494-A- Referred to Cities/A.8104 - Referred to Cities

2015-2016: S.1097 - Passed Senate/A.9498 - Referred to Cities

2013-2014: S.6188 - Referred to Cities

SUMMARY | This bill authorizes urban school districts in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers to provide transportation for students living more than one half mile from school if the Commissioner of the State Education Department believes that there is a safety concern.

PURPOSE | To authorize the city school districts of Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers to provide transportation and receive transportation aid for pupils residing one half mile or more from school in instances where the Commissioner of the State Education Department deems there are safety concerns.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS | Section one authorizes the city school districts of Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers to provide transportation and receive transportation aid for pupils residing one half mile or more from school in instances where the Commissioner of the State Education Department deems there are safety concerns. Districts are required to submit a report to the State upon the completion of the initial three years of the program including a cost benefit analysis and an analysis of the impact on student attendance and academic performance. Section two establishes the effective date.

JUSTIFICATION |  Students in many of the State's urban centers are forced to walk through dangerous conditions to get to school. In some cases, parents choose schools outside of their neighborhoods for safety reasons so their children can be transported to and from school by bus. The mileage limits for transportation aid no longer reflect the circumstances nor the needs of students and families. This bill would allow school districts to transport pupils in instances where the commissioner determines there are safety concerns thereby protecting children and affording parents and caregivers expanded options.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY/ACTION PLAN | 2021-2022: A.1276. NYSBCA is actively supporting this bill.

Note: Child Safety Zones legislation was passed into law previously. NYSBCA reached out to Phyllis Morris from NYSED to check on status and was informed that DOT has yet to establish regulations to operationalize the legislation that was signed into law in November 2021. We are in contact with the original bill sponsor, Assemblymember Fahy, who is on top of DOT in regard to issuing the regulations and reports back to us with status updates.

SUMMARY | This bill exempts zero-emission school buses and their parts and equipment from sales and compensating use taxes.

PURPOSE | This legislation exempts from sales and compensating use taxes zero-emission school buses and parts and equipment purchased and used in their operation.

JUSTIFICATION | New York's enacted State Budget for Fiscal Year 2023 requires that all new school bus purchases made after July 1, 2027, be zero-emission and all school buses on the road be zero emissions by 2035. Private transportation companies that provide contract transportation are also subject to the mandate for any vehicle that transports students.

Despite the significant environmental advantages of zero emission school buses, the upfront purchase price has emerged as the greatest obstacle to their widespread use. New zero emission school buses can cost two to three times more compared to purchasing a traditional new diesel school bus. Many private student transportation companies operating in state simply cannot afford the upfront cost to purchase new zero emission school buses, even with the grants and other subsidies offered.

Eliminating the sales tax on the purchase of new zero emission school buses would provide much needed financial relief to private student transportation contractors that are required to purchase and replace their fleet with zero emission school buses by 2035. Eliminating the sales tax may also help to accelerate the conversion to zero emission school buses.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 3/7/23. Referred to Budget and Revenue. This is NYSBCA’s bill. Assemblywoman Jean-Pierre is introducing the ‘same as’ in the assembly. NYSBCA is in contact with the Governor’s office, in particular, the Deputy Secretary for Energy, in relation to the need for this sales tax exemption. Please call you local state elected officials in SUPPORT of this legislation.

SUMMARY | This bill allows BOCES to install school bus stop sign cameras.

PURPOSE | This bill would permit boards of cooperative education services to install school bus stop sign cameras on their vehicles.

JUSTIFICATION | In 2019, New York enacted legislation to permit the installation of school bus stop sign cameras. Unfortunately, the statute as currently written only allows for school districts to install these cameras following adoption of local laws. This leaves boards of cooperative educational services unable to install such cameras. This bill amends the 2019 law to allow for BOCES to install cameras on the buses that they operate.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 3/7/23. Referred to Education.

SUMMARY | This bill prohibits school bus parking on NYC streets between 5PM and 5AM on weekends, starting on 5PM on the Friday and 5AM on the next Monday.

PURPOSE | Regulates the parking of school buses operated by or pursuant to a contract with the New York City Board of Education.

JUSTIFICATION | It has become exceedingly difficult for homeowners or tenants to find parking on residential streets due to school buses occupying these slots.

Oversized/commercial vehicles occupy spaces that should be available to residents. It is the duty of school bus companies either operating by or according to a contract with the Board of Education to provide appropriate parking for their vehicles.

While it may be convenient for school bus drivers to utilize residential street parking spaces; to park their assigned school buses closer to their residences; this practice creates undue hardships for others.

STATUS/ ACTION PLAN | Senate Bill introduced on 1/10/23 and referred to Cities 1, then Reported and Committed to Finance. Assembly Bill introduced on 3/7/23 and referred to Cities. The Senate Bill was first introduced in the 2015/16 legislative session and the Assembly Bill was first introduced in the 2017/18 legislative session. NOTE: this language appears in the one-house budget bills.

SUMMARY | This bill prohibits school bus drivers from using hands-free mobile telephones in conditions.

PURPOSE | This legislation will preclude the use of a hands-free mobile telephone device by a school bus driver when such driver is operating a school bus except in the case of an emergency or when the school bus is parked lawfully.

JUSTIFICATION | Currently, under New York State law, school bus drivers are prohibited from speaking on hand-held mobile telephones while driving. However, the use of hands-free mobile telephone devices is permitted and while the use of such a device allows a driver's hands to remain on the wheel, it does not prevent the distraction that mobile telephones cause.

Safety is paramount. It is vital for school bus drivers to be alert and focus their whole attention on the road as well as on the student passengers. Speaking on a hands-free mobile telephone can interfere with concentration, which may affect driving and may have potentially disastrous results on a school bus if a student on the bus is in need of attention.

Importantly, eighteen other states including Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Connecticut as well as the District of Columbia, have recognized the distraction caused by a school bus driver's use of mobile telephones, including hands-free mobile telephone devices, by banning such use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

It is the job of the school bus driver to transport students safely and to maintain their security, and so the distraction of hands-free mobile telephones should be prohibited.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Both bills were introduced on January 4, 2023, and introduced to their respective Transportation Committees. Versions of this bill have been introduced since the 2017/18 legislative session.

PURPOSE | This bill prohibits individuals who are convicted of certain offenses involving children from being school bus drivers.

JUSTIFICATION | Current law includes a number of offenses, which permanently disqualify an individual from being a school bus driver; this legislation updates the law by including offenses involving children that were developed after this original law was enacted.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Assembly Bill was introduced on 1/9/23 and referred to Transportation.

Senate Bill was introduced on 3/3/23 and referred to Transportation. The Assembly Bill has been introduced in every session since 2011/12. The Senate Bill since 2017/18.

SUMMARY | This bill requires comprehensive training for school bus drivers and school bus attendants in the discouragement, prevention and detection of harassment, bullying and discrimination.

PURPOSE | This bill requires the Commissioner of Education to develop a training program for bus drivers and bus attendants in the prevention of bullying and what to do in the event of a bullying incident.

JUSTIFICATION | Much attention has been paid recently to the high incidences of bullying and harassment within schools across the state. Numerous initiatives have begun, and attempts have been made to try to stem these frequent occurrences. While these proposals have been well received and bullying is slowly becoming less acceptable, the same issues and bullying events continue to occur outside of school completely unchecked.

In particular, the media has begun to highlight cases of bullying and harassment on school buses. While some buses are equipped with surveillance cameras, those who engage with threatening or bullying behavior continue unfazed. Video was released in July 2012 of a Virginia incident where a ten-year-old boy was physically and verbally harassed, even screaming in pain as he was burned with a lighter, as the bus driver simply continued on her route. Adults are victims as well, as footage of a harassed bus monitor in Greece, NY, made national headlines.

Bullying continues to be a devastating reality for thousands of New Yorkers. This legislation would require the Commissioner of the Department of Education to develop a training program for bus drivers and bus monitors to teach them how to appropriately manage and respond to a bullying incident.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 1/9/23 and referred to Education. Has been introduced in every session since 2013/14.

SUMMARY | This bill updates both the education laws and the vehicle and transportation laws to allow GPS and emergency tracking services in school buses

PURPOSE | an act to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the education law, in relation to using GPS and implementing an emergency communication system on school buses.

JUSTIFICATION | Per the bill sponsor--there is a clear lack of communication, and emergency protocols regarding City School bus procedures with regard to weather events, and the safe return of children, especially special needs children, who are passengers. In the event of an emergency where roadways are often congested, dangerous and at a traffic standstill due to unpredictable weather events many parents and guardians are left without clear-cut guidelines for locating their children, or with preparations made for their retrieval. The children are stranded on the vehicle in many cases for hours without the means to effectively attain comfort on many levels, inadequate heating, lack of food and water, as well as being unable to reach restroom facilities. This bill seeks to implement technology in tracking these buses so that in the incident of a weather event or any unpredictable disaster there is a means for location and retrieval in a safe manner for these school children.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 1/25/23 and referred to Transportation. First introduced in the 2019/20 legislative session.

SUMMARY | This bill would ensure that Universal Pre-Kindergarten transportation can be reimbursed like any other pupil transportation service, allowing for the expansion of safe travel to and from beneficial educational programs for the youth of our state.

JUSTIFICATION | The state currently allows school districts to offer pupil transportation for universal pre-kindergarten programs, but the legislation that authorized this simultaneously prohibited transportation aid reimbursement for these services. While some have suggested that this can be achieved at no cost to the school district by route sharing, most programs end at noon whereas the regular school bus routes do not resume until the end of the "normal" school day. Current law has the unintentional consequence of creating an unfunded mandate on school districts, who must pay for additional routes without reimbursement by the state. It also discourages the expansion of pre-kindergarten by creating a major barrier - namely, transportation expenses for school districts. This bill would ensure that universal pre-kindergarten transportation can be reimbursed like any other pupil transportation service, allowing for the expansion of safe travel to and from beneficial educational programs for the youth of our state.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Assembly Bill was introduced on 2/2/23 and referred to Education. Senate Bill was introduced on 3/6/23 and referred to Education as well. Versions of the Assembly Bill have been introduced since 2013/14, and the Senate Bill since 2017/18. NYSBCA supports this bill.

SUMMARY | This bill establishes a task force on safety in school transportation.

PURPOSE | To promote safety in school transportation by studying existing policies and recommending necessary changes.

JUSTIFICATION | Per the bill sponsor- School transportation safety is an often-overlooked issue that needs to be studied and improved. In January 2016, an elementary school principal was killed saving lives of her students as a school bus barreled towards them. Recently, a first-grade student in New Jersey was killed after being struck by a school bus. These are just two examples. It is imperative to ensure students are safe when not under the supervision of their parents and guardians, as well as to protect bus drivers and school officials entrusted with their care.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS | Section 1 amends the education law by adding a new section 3638 creating a task force with the purpose of promoting safety in school transportation. The task force should consist of seventeen members. Five members appointed by the governor, five members appointed by the temporary president of the senate, and five members appointed by the speaker of the assembly. Also, it includes the commissioner of education, commissioner of transportation, and commissioner of motor vehicles. The task force will review existing state laws, regulations and programs that address school bus safety, and make recommendations for their improvement. It will also identify best practices for the designation of school bus stops, strategies that support safe pedestrian behavior by students between their homes and their schools and safety protocols to be followed by school bus drivers and school bus aides. Finally, it will develop recommendations to curb illegal passing of school busses and determine if there is a need for additional public education programs that promote school bus safety. Members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The task force shall present a report of its findings and recommendations to the governor and to the legislature no later than December 31, 2024.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 1/12/23 and referred to Education. NO SAME AS. Has been introduced in every session since 2015/2016. On 3/15/23 there is a note for it to be placed on the senate floor calendar. (Still needs a sponsor in the assembly). NYSBCA will ensure that a representative from NYSBCA is included on this committee if this bill passes both houses.

SUMMARY | This bill requires school districts to make payments honoring school transportation contracts even during a state of emergency. (NYSBCA BILL).

PURPOSE | This legislation will require school districts to make payments honoring school transportation contracts during a state of emergency.

JUSTIFICATION | Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hundreds of school districts across New York have been shuttered. Many school districts rely on outside contractors to provide transportation services to students. With the closure of school districts, there has been a reduction in need of immediate transportation services by the school districts. School districts across New York are refusing to pay for the contracted services. Unfortunately, such failure to pay has resulted in thousands of layoffs.

The transportation industry is unique as it is an essential for schools to reopen. With the number of layoffs, transportation companies will not be able to scale up at the pace needed to reopen schools. During this time, it is important that students be able to return to school as soon as it is safe. The school environment provides many benefits for student growth. Therefore, it is important for school districts to make the payments necessary for transportation services to be readily available for the eventual school reopenings.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 2/17/23 and referred to Education. Has been introduced in every legislative session since 2019/20. Significant push back from school districts – still need an assembly sponsor.

SUMMARY | This bill allows program aid to be given to school districts that use passive security design features to improve school safety and add licensed design professionals to school safety teams.

PURPOSE | To allow programmatic aid to be given to school districts that use passive security design features to improve school safety and add licensed design professionals to school safety teams.

JUSTIFICATION | New York has been pursuing measures to enhance school safety through the use of social workers and community outreach programs. While these measures help, a design centric approach should be used in addition to these programs. Incorporating safety measures into the design or rehabilitation of schools can better provide safe learning environments for students and teachers.

Combining the ideas of district- wide safety teams, licensed design professionals, engineers, and architects will ensure that valuable school safety measures are incorporated into school districts, and will help not only teachers and students, but also administrators and public safety officials as well.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Assembly Bill was introduced on January 4th and referred to Education. Senate Bill was introduced on January 23rd and referred to Education as well. The Assembly Bill has been introduced in every legislative session since 2019/20. The Senate Bill since 2021/22.

SUMMARY | This bill requires that the DMV issues new credentials for individuals qualified to drive buses, requires these credentials to be displayed while the bus driver is on duty, and requires that the DMV performs an annual audit of all qualifying bus drivers to ensure that they follow the law. This is geared for charter buses.

PURPOSE | To require the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue a new credential for individuals qualified to drive a bus under Article 19A of the Vehicle and Traffic Law and to require the display of valid credentials while the bus driver is on duty. This will allow passengers to verify that their bus driver has met the requirements to drive the bus and that the bus is inspected and has operating authority.

It also requires that the Department of Motor Vehicles performs an annual audit of motor carriers subject to VTL Article 19A requirements at least once a year to ensure that motor carriers are in compliance with the law.

JUSTIFICATION | Private charter buses have dramatically increased service within New York State. Consumers are routinely boarding such buses to visit casinos and other destinations in and out of New York State. There has been an increase in the number of accidents involving such buses, and some of these accidents have involved drivers who were not qualified and/or properly licensed to drive passenger buses. The public display of a credential issued by the DMV would allow consumers to know if their bus driver is properly licensed and qualified. The public display of said credential is similar to the requirements some municipalities have for delivery drivers and for-hire taxis to display a similar credential, or for public bus operators who wear a uniform and identifying information.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Both bills have been introduced in every legislative session since 2017/2018. The SB was placed on the list to make the senate floor calendar on 2/8/23 but no date has yet been set. The Assembly bill is still in the transportation committee.

SUMMARY | Increases the penalties for passing a school bus with its red lights illuminated. No ‘same as’.

PURPOSE | Increases the penalties for passing a school bus with its red lights illuminated indicating that it is picking up or discharging students.

JUSTIFICATION | Overtaking a school bus exacts a heightened and unconscionable threat to the lives of millions of New York children who ride the bus each day. New York State needs to set a precedent of zero tolerance for such lawbreakers and ensure that our children's safety is put at the forefront of our state's agenda. Overtaking a school bus places many vulnerable lives at risk, and those who break this law should be stopped and punished in a way that reflects the severity of the crime.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 1/26/23 and referred to Transportation. Has been introduced in every legislative session since 2015/16.

SUMMARY | Expands the use of cameras for enforcement of existing traffic rules in the City of New York relating to bus operations and repeal of the sunset of existing bus lane camera enforcement authorization. This language appears in the one-house budget bills.

PURPOSE | To expand the use of cameras for enforcement of existing traffic rules in the City of New York relating to bus operations and repeal of the sunset of existing bus lane camera enforcement authorization.

JUSTIFICATION | Current state law allows automated enforcement cameras for parking and moving violations of existing City traffic rules relating to bus operations that occur in bus lanes and busways. This has been an effective tool for making buses more reliable. However, buses are still frequently

delayed by vehicles stopping, standing and parking in bus stops, or making turns in bus lanes in violation of City traffic rules. Expanding camera enforcement to include such additional types of violations of City traffic rules would further improve the reliability of buses.

Increasing congestion and slow bus speeds continue to impact bus ridership. Bus lanes are a valuable tool to improve bus speed and draw riders back to the bus system. Consistent, effective enforcement of a wider range of violations relating to bus operations is critical to improving bus speed and restoring bus ridership. Automated camera enforcement is an essential and cost-effective tool in this effort.

The MTA is working to equip more buses in their fleet with camera equipment using funds from the 2020-2024 MTA capital program to support that effort. The existing ABLE program is demonstrating positive results as it relates to recidivism with only 19% of people who get a bus lane ticket are getting a second one, and beyond that only 8% have received more than two tickets. Making the existing ABLE program permanent and expanding camera enforcement will give the MTA greater ability to keep their buses moving efficiently.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | The Senate Bill was introduced on January 4th and referred to Transportation The Assembly Bill was introduced on January 26th and referred to Transportation as well. Both bills were first introduced in the 2021/22 legislative session and language appears in the one house budget bills. NOTE: this is in relation to MTA buses.

SUMMARY | Provides for increased monetary penalties for passing a school bus and applies criminal penalties to those who injure or kill a person while doing so.

JUSTIFICATION | The National Highway Transportation Administration reports that each year, an average of 11 passengers under the age of 19 die in school bus accidents. Most of the most serious injuries and deaths occur when children are hit by a school bus or by passing motorists while getting on or off the bus.

More than 25 children each year die in pedestrian accidents involving school buses. In fact, three times as many children are killed in school bus accidents while getting on or off the bus than while riding it.

Pedestrians account for more than 40 percent of school bus-related fatalities. Many of these injuries occur when children are boarding or exiting the school bus, due to the driver's "blind spot," which extends approximately 10 feet around the bus.

These statistics clearly demonstrate the importance of strengthening penalties against those who illegally pass a school bus, and especially for those that injure another person while doing so.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 1/27/23 and referred to Transportation. Has been introduced in every legislative session since 2013/14.

SUMMARY | To increase the penalties for passing a stopped school bus.

JUSTIFICATION | Current law provides that an individual convicted two or more times of speeding in a construction zone be subject to a sixty-day suspension of his or her drivers' license. Passing a stopped school bus two or more times, however, does not currently carry such a penalty. There is no doubt that passing a stopped school bus poses as much, if not more, risk to life and limb as speeding in a construction zone and thus should have similar penalties.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 2/2/23 and referred to Transportation. Has been introduced in every legislative session since 2009/10.

SUMMARY | An act to amend the education law, in relation to providing for the viewing of footage captured by an interior school bus camera in certain circumstances.

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL | This bill will provide parents and guardians with a reasonable path towards accessing available video & photographic documentation that pertains to any incident occurring on a school bus that results in the potential impairment of their child's well-being.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS | School boards throughout New York State will establish policies to allow for viewing of photo or video footage captured by camera installed inside a school bus, by a parent or guardian of a pupil when an instance of physical harm, harassment, intimidation, or bullying has occurred.

JUSTIFICATION | The safety and well being of our children is among the first and foremost responsibilities our school districts are tasked with. Fulfilling this duty in the most literal sense often begins and ends with a child's experience on the bus ride to and from school.

Student safety best practices first begin with creating an environment that is conducive to establishing routinely positive and constructive experiences. The second is in the remedy through which incidents of undesirable experiences are resolved. Video monitoring systems help provide a record of overall rider behaviors and provide vital context when investigating inappropriate behaviors. Ensuring availability of this record in the fullest extent not just for school administration but parents as well, is essential in providing the necessary tools to resolve individual cases as well as potential problems that require long term fundamental issues as well.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | The Senate Bill was introduced on 1/18/23 and referred to Education. The Assembly Bill was introduced on 2/2/23 and referred to Education as well. Both bills were first introduced in the 2021/22 legislative session.

SUMMARY | Extends the current student metro card program to apply to express bus service.

JUSTIFICATION | Currently, the MTA in conjunction with the New York City Department of Education runs a MetroCard program for New York City students providing three free fares a day on subways and buses on school days for students living more than one half mile from the school they attend. However, students currently cannot use their student MetroCard for express bus service. It has been estimated that approximately 2,600 students use express bus service. This legislation would create parity among students by requiring that the free fares can be applied to express bus service, but students would still be required to pay for the difference in cost between express bus service and a standard fare (currently express bus service costs $6.75 per trip while the standard fare is $2.75 per trip).

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | The Senate Bill was introduced on 1/11/23 and referred to Transportation. The Assembly Bill was introduced on 2/2/23 and referred to Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions. These are new bills introduced this legislative session.

SUMMARY | Provides that county-hired pre-school special education transportation providers have to adhere by the same guidelines as bus drivers and attendants who work with students with special disabilities.

PURPOSE | To include preschool special education transportation providers who are hired by counties to adhere to existing state training requirements for bus drivers and attendants who work with students with disabilities.

JUSTIFICATION | Chapter 472 of 2002 established training requirements for school bus attendants and drivers who transport students with disabilities, bringing all school bus drivers, monitors and attendants under the jurisdiction of the State Education Department for hiring and training qualifications. Prior to this, there were no requirements for training or hiring qualifications of transportation personnel, and no state agency had any jurisdiction. The 2002 law did not differentiate between public and private settings and applies to public schools that contract out, to public school students who are privately placed and for summer programs for those students with disabilities who require a 12-month program.

In certain circumstances, counties are responsible for providing transportation covered under the Committees on Preschool Special Education. This represents some of our youngest and most vulnerable children with disabilities. Due to a loophole in Chapter 472 of 2002, counties are not consistently required to meet state standards for transporting these students. For example, if a county contracts with a school district to provide the transportation, drivers would have to be trained. If the county pays for the service directly, there is no training requirement. This bill will ensure the same state-wide protection to students of all ages, regardless of who arranges their transportation.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 2/3/23 and referred to Transportation. Has been introduced in every legislative session since 2009/10.

SUMMARY | Amends traffic law to provide that, after a certain date, all buses manufactured for sale in

this state, shall have the exhaust pipe at the upper right corner of the vehicle.

PURPOSE | This bill would amend section 375 of the vehicle and traffic law to provide that, after a certain date, all buses manufactured for sale in this state shall have the exhaust pipe at the upper right corner of the vehicle.

JUSTIFICATION | Exhaust pipes on buses are currently placed at the lower corner on the back of the bus. This placement has been known to cause and/or aggravate serious medical conditions in people, especially children. Due to their current placement, the dangerous fumes from these exhaust pipes are able to come into the buses and affect the inhabitants. Children with asthma are particularly susceptible to harmful effects of the exhaust pipe emissions.

This bill would require that every bus manufactured for sale in this state shall be equipped with an exhaust system whereby the exhaust pipe emission is at the upper right hand corner at the rear end of the bus. This will serve to protect the children as well as all citizens in this state from unnecessary breathing in toxic fumes while riding city or school buses.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 2/3/23 and referred to Transportation. Has been introduced in every legislative session since 2009/10.

SUMMARY | Amends the Energy Law to achieve 100% clean renewable energy by 2030

PURPOSE | Establish a goal for New York State to achieve 100% clean renewable energy for electricity by 2030.

JUSTIFICATION | New York State faces a climate emergency. New York already has a policy to transition away from fossil fuels to clean renewable energy. This bill would set a state goal for the electrical grid to reach 100% clean renewable energy by 2030 by using solar, wind and other forms of clean renewable energy.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | The Senate Bill was introduced on 1/18/23 and referred to Energy. The Assembly Bill was introduced on 2/14/23 and referred to Energy as well. These bills have been introduced in every legislative session since 2019/20.

SUMMARY | Increases the penalties for passing a stopped school bus.

PURPOSE | To increase the penalties for passing a stopped school bus.

JUSTIFICATION | Current law provides that an individual convicted two or more times of speeding in a construction zone be subject to a sixty-day suspension of his or her driver license. Passing a stopped school bus two or more times, however, does not currently carry such a penalty. There is no doubt that passing a stopped school bus possesses as much, if not more, risk to life and limb as speeding in a construction zone and thus should have congruous penalties.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | The Senate Bill was introduced on 1/10/23 and referred to Transportation. The Assembly Bill was introduced on 2/27/23 and referred to Transportation as well. These bills have been introduced in every legislative session since 2011/12.

SUMMARY | Provides an exemption for the sale of the first $35,000 of a battery, electric, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle from state sales and compensating use taxes.

PURPOSE | The purpose of this legislation is to encourage purchasers of motor vehicles to choose battery, electric, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

JUSTIFICATION | The incentives contained in this legislation are aimed at encouraging the purchasers of motor vehicles to choose battery, electric, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The transportation sector is responsible for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions. The adoption of electric vehicles is a step consumers can take to decrease greenhouse gases.

New York has a number of incentives to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles including a rebate for the purchase of electric vehicles through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and a reduction in tolling through the Clean Pass Program. However, the tax exemption in this legislation will provide a long-term incentive to motorists to choose clean vehicles.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 3/6/23 and referred to Budget and Revenue. This bill has been introduced in every legislative session since 2019/20.

SUMMARY | Mandates the purchase of electric school buses as replacements in fleets.

PURPOSE | To require public transportation systems to purchase zero-emission capable hybrid buses or zero-emission buses and related equipment and facilities for a five-year period commencing January 1, 2026.

JUSTIFICATION | To meet the State's ambitious climate goals in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), it is critically important to reduce emissions in the transportation sector. Currently, said sector is one of New York's largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 28 percent of total Statewide emissions.

To help reduce transportation emissions, this bill would require public transit agencies to stop purchasing conventional diesel buses beginning January 1, 2026, and purchase only zero-emission capable hybrid buses or zero-emission buses for the ensuing five-year period. Zero-emission capable hybrid buses are capable of operating on demand without the direct emission of atmospheric pollutants, and being paired with geofencing technology to automatically shut down the engine and be emission-free in specified locations. Certain leading public transit agencies in the Northeast - including in Westchester County, Boston, and Philadelphia - have already stopped purchasing conventional diesel buses due to their substantial greenhouse gas emissions. However, the vast majority of public transit agencies here in New York are still predominantly conventional diesel fleets and continue to purchase significant numbers of conventional diesel buses year after year. Since the average life of a transit bus is 12 years, these conventional diesel buses will continue to be driven on our roads and in our communities for well over a decade to come.

This bill complements other pending legislation that would require public transit agencies to purchase only zero-emission buses beginning January 1, 2030, by creating a transitional five-year period toward the full zero-emission goal. During this five-year transitional period, the State will achieve significant emissions reductions in our bus fleets - while the recharging infrastructure is being fully developed and installed - and help train and prepare our transit operators and maintenance personnel for the switch to full zero-emission buses in 2030.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 3/3/23 and referred to Transportation. This bill has been introduced in every legislative session since 2021/22.

SUMMARY | Establishes the crime of a criminal trespass on a school bus in the first and second degree.

PURPOSE | Establishes the crime of a criminal trespass on a school bus in the first and second degree.

JUSTIFICATION | Parents and guardians expect that, when their children board the school bus every morning, they will be safely conveyed to school without any risk of harm. Sadly, this is often not the case. There have been many cases of individuals boarding school buses and endangering the students aboard, such as an incident from November 2018 in Virginia where a woman boarded a school bus and assaulted a bus driver for previously disciplining her daughter. This kind of activity is not only unacceptable, but it's also dangerous.

This bill would create criminal trespass on a school bus in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor, when an individual boards a school bus after being forbidden to do so by the driver or other school official, refuses to leave the bus on the demand of a driver or school official, or otherwise destroys, defaces, injures, or damages a public school bus. It would also create criminal trespass on a school bus in the first degree, a class C felony, when an individual commits the above actions while in possession of a weapon or knowingly commits the above actions with knowledge that another participant in the crime is armed.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 3/3/23 and referred to Codes. This bill has been introduced in every legislative session since 2019/20.

SUMMARY | Establishes the crimes of criminal trespass on a school bus, school grounds or children's camp.

PURPOSE | To ensure a safer environment for our school children, school personnel and school bus drivers while on board a school bus.

JUSTIFICATION | In the wake of recent tragedies, there is a need to employ stiffer criminal penalties for trespassing on school grounds and school buses. This bill provides an added measure of safety and security to students, teachers and school employees as well as to school bus drivers and their passengers. By increasing criminal penalties, we will be deterring such acts and sending a loud message that New York State will not stand for violent acts against school children.

This bill would also provide for signage on school buses clarifying that unauthorized boardings are not allowed. It would also require training for school bus drivers to prepare them for intrusions and violent incidents, thereby enabling them to protect themselves and the children aboard the bus. Similar legislation has been enacted by the Alabama State Legislature.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 1/17/23 and referred to Codes. This bill has been introduced in every legislative session since 2019/20.

SUMMARY | Includes within the class D felony of assault in the second degree, the assault of a driver of a for-hire vehicle or transportation network company driver.

PURPOSE | To protect for-hire drivers, including taxi drivers, from being assaulted on the job by posting signs in taxis to alert passengers of the punishment for assaulting taxi workers; and to include for-hire drivers in the list of victims of felony assault.

JUSTIFICATION | According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, taxi workers are thirty times more likely to be killed on the job than other workers. New York City is home to the largest taxi driver industry in the country.

Further, based on recent legislation enacted by the state legislature to permit transportation network companies to operate in the state of New York, such protections are needed for drivers of transportation network companies.

Other occupations of similar customer base and skill sets are already included and protected in the current list of victims, such as bus operators, train operators, station agents and station cleaners.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 1/23/23 and referred to Codes. This bill has been introduced in every legislative session since 2017/18.

SUMMARY | Prohibits certain sex offenders from entering a school bus or within one thousand feet of a school bus stop.

PURPOSE | This bill would prohibit certain sex offenders from entering a school bus or school bus stop.

JUSTIFICATION | Under current law, sex offenders, as a mandatory condition of probation or conditional discharge, must refrain from knowingly entering into or upon school grounds. This bill is a logical extension of that law and adds school bus and school bus stops to the prohibited area. Bus routes and stops are obvious gathering places for students traveling to and from school. Unfortunately, they may also provide an opportunity for pedophiles to lure children. Including school buses and bus stops as prohibited areas will provide more comprehensive protection to children on their way to and from school.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | The Senate Bill was introduced on 3/3/23 and referred to Codes. The Assembly Bill was introduced on 1/25/23 and referred to Codes as well.

The Assembly bills have been introduced in every legislative session since 2009/10, and the Senate bill since 2017/18.

SUMMARY | Creates a small business electric energy tax credit.

JUSTIFICATION | Small businesses are critical to the economic health and growth of our state. Small businesses are a powerful engine of new job growth, and a source of innovation that will keep our state competitive around the world. Energy costs have risen faster than many small businesses could have predicted or planned for, and as a result, many find themselves under financial pressure.

The bill applies to companies with less than 20 employees. It is estimated that 366,000 businesses employing 1.4 million New Yorkers will be impacted by this legislation. This bill will help to offset these increased costs by offering a tax credit and help to ensure that our small businesses will remain healthy and productive. These tax credits will also help to hold overhead down and make our small businesses better able to compete both nationally and internationally.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 2/14/23 and referred to Ways and Means. This bill has been introduced in every legislative session since 2009/10.

SUMMARY | Criminalizing the operation of a school bus by a person having any amount alcohol in his or her blood and providing sanctions for violations

PURPOSE | This legislation would criminalize the operation of a school bus by a person having any amount of alcohol in his or her blood.

JUSTIFICATION | School bus drivers play an important role in protecting our children from harm by providing a safe atmosphere on our roads. It is unconscionable that someone would endanger the lives of school children and other drivers by consuming alcohol prior to driving their school bus route. Their needs to be a zero tolerance policy when it comes to alcohol use and the safety of children. This legislation would lower the legal blood alcohol content level (BAC) for New York State school bus operators from .04 to .00.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 2/22/23 and referred to Transportation. This bill has been introduced in every legislative session since 2013/14.

SUMMARY | Requires every school bus be equipped with stop-arm on each side

PURPOSE | To enhance vehicle safety by requiring that all school buses in New York State contain a stop-arm on each side of the bus

JUSTIFICATION | School buses in New York State, which can range from 20 to 45 feet in length, generally have bigger blind spots, require longer to stop, and need more room to maneuver than other passenger vehicles. The NYS Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues special guidance for what drivers should do when they encounter a school bus, advising them slow down, come to a complete stop at least 20 feet away from the bus, and be especially careful to look out for children walking in front of, behind, or on the side of the bus. Under section 375 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, all school buses in the state are required to be equipped with a driver's side stop-arm to help drivers comply with these instructions.

The legislature has given special consideration to the harm caused by motorists who do not follow this guidance, creating graduated fines for the crime of illegally passing a stopped school bus up to $1,000 for a third conviction within three years. Additionally, five points are added to a driver's record for each conviction of such offense, and in 2019, the legislature authorized school districts and municipalities to use stop-arm cameras to photograph and impose penalties on the owners of vehicles which illegally pass a school bus.

Despite these extraordinary measures, the trend of illegal passing has persisted, with an estimated 50,000 motorists illegally passing a school bus statewide each school day, according to survey data from the New York Association for Pupil Transportation and Governor's Traffic Safety Committee. The Department of Pupil Transportation at the NYS Education Department, meanwhile, states that the youngest children are most at risk of being harmed by this reckless behavior, as they are involved in

68% of school bus fatalities despite representing less than 35% of the student population.

This bill would help prevent the likelihood of collisions with schoolchildren and other pedestrians on and around a school bus by mandating that all buses transporting pupils, regardless of seating capacity, be equipped with a stop-arm on each side. Two-sided stop-arms make common sense as drivers on both sides of the street need to come to a complete stop to allow passengers to discharge. Modernizing our state's Vehicle and Traffic Law with this commonsense measure will help reduce the incidence and severity of crashes involving school buses while ensuring that New York's school transportation fleet is properly incorporating advances in vehicle safety design.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 1/23/23 and referred to Transportation. This bill was first introduced in 2021/22.

SUMMARY | Authorizes and directs the commissioner of education to develop guidelines for transportation of students on Field Trips

PURPOSE | To allow the commissioner to authorize and direct the development of guidelines for the transportation of pupils attending school in the boroughs of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island while on field trips.

JUSTIFICATION | This bill would allow for schools to take pupils on field trips outside of the City of New York to locations within twenty miles outside of the boundaries of the city and to any location within the five boroughs.

Taking into consideration the area and size of New York City, this bill would give greater freedom to schools with regard to the transportation of pupils on field trips in and outside of the city.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | The Senate Bill was introduced on 1/27/23 and referred to Education. The Assembly Bill was introduced on 1/25/23 and referred to Education as well. The Assembly bill has been introduced in every legislative session since 2009/10, and the Senate bill since 2011/12.

SUMMARY | Amends the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to suspending a registration after a third violation for overtaking and passing a stopped school bus

PURPOSE | This bill allows for the suspension of a vehicle's registration after a third violation caught on a school bus camera within an 18 month period.

JUSTIFICATION | Every day, an estimated 50,000 cars pass a stopped school bus in New York State, putting the lives of schoolchildren at risk. While New York is poised to allow school bus cameras to catch violators, nothing in the bill allows for the suspension of a car's registration for repeat offenders.

As an additional deterrent to passing a stopped school bus, this bill would allow the DMV to suspend a vehicle's registration for a third camera violation within an 18-month period. Any registration suspension would be for a period of six months. By enacting this legislation, New York will take greater action in addressing the crisis of vehicles passing stopped school buses and would add an additional deterrent to motorists in the state.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 1/31/23 and referred to Transportation. This bill was first introduced in 2019/20 and introduced in every legislative session since.

SUMMARY | Amends the Vehicle and Traffic law in relation to exempting new clean fuel vehicles and vehicles that meet the clean vehicle standards

PURPOSE: To ensure that school children are safely escorted on and off of their school buses by an adult school bus attendant or monitor. Such attendants or monitors will accompany these students on and off of the school bus to ensure that students are visible as they cross the road, are a safe distance from the bus or any other motor vehicles and make it safely out of the road.

JUSTIFICATION | According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),

the greatest risk for children who ride a school bus to and from school is when they approach the bus and when they exit the bus. The NHTSA also notes that while every state in America has a law making it illegal to pass a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended to load or unload students, many motorists simply choose to ignore the law.

It is estimated that in New York State, 50,000 motor vehicles illegally pass school buses every day. While education and enforcements efforts can help curb these behaviors, this staggering figure clearly underscores the need for additional actions to ensure that our school children make it to school and back home safely. Recently, a more disturbing trend has emerged whereby motorists have been passing stopped buses on the shoulder of the road - where children enter and exit the bus.

This legislation will help prevent further injuries and fatalities from occurring by ensuring that a responsible adult is helping these students on an off the bus and is looking out for dangerous drivers who choose to disregard the law by passing a stopped school bus. School bus attendants or monitors will also be able to ensure the safety of all students who ride the bus by monitoring students and making sure they are behaving and abiding by the rules. Having an attendant on board every school

bus that is transporting children will ensure the safety and the wellbeing of our children.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 1/31/23 and referred to Transportation. This bill was first introduced in 2019/20 and introduced in every legislative session since.

SUMMARY | Enacts the safeguarding employees and accountability for termination act

PURPOSE | The purpose of this legislation is to require employers to have good cause when terminating an employee.

JUSTIFICATION | The nail salon, restaurant, retail worker; these are a few "at will" employees that can be terminated from their job without cause. Private-sector employers can fire employees for any reason: to replace them with a family member, for extending vacation due to a flight cancelation, or simply because the employer did not like the employee. The uncertainty and instability of "at will" employment fosters inequality in bargaining power between employers and employees.

Good cause termination may be a tool to balance the power dynamic of private-sector labor. By requiring good cause to terminate employees, New York can prevent senseless job loss and provide workers with more secure employment. Too many New Yorkers work in circumstances where they

can be discharged without cause.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 3/6/23 and referred to Labor. This bill was first introduced in 2021/22.

SUMMARY | Provides for certain presumptions for reckless driving and the implementation of a reckless driving and vehicular violence awareness component of the pre-licensing course for driver's licenses.

PURPOSE | To implement reckless driving and vehicular violence training into the vehicle, traffic, and insurance law components of pre-licensing courses for driver's licenses.

JUSTIFICATION | With the continual reduction of alcohol-related driving deaths, the legislature recognizes the importance of addressing other types of dangerous driving. As reported by the National Safety Council's 2016 survey, although 83% of drivers surveyed regarded driving as a safety concern, a startling 64% say they are comfortable speeding, and 47% text either manually or through voice. In contrast, the legislative's success in deterring drunk driving is reflected in the 10% surveyed who say they are comfortable driving after consuming too much alcohol. This demonstrates that while legal and legislative work has successfully deemed drunk driving socially unacceptable, additional forms of dangerous driving have not. These unchecked forms of dangerous driving pose a substantial risk to the general safety of drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists alike and, in response, the legislature's sponsorship of this bill aims to preemptively reduce reckless driving through heightened awareness on dangerous driving through pre-licensing training and insurance incentives.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | The Senate Bill was introduced on 3/13/23 and referred to Transportation. The Assembly Bill was introduced on 2/8/23 and referred to Transportation as well. Both bills were first introduced in the 2021/22 legislative session.

SUMMARY | An act to amend the education law, in relation to contracts regarding bus drivers and bus drivers' assistants.

PURPOSE | This bill would require school districts to abide by the existing collective bargaining agreement between its transportation contractor and its employees with regard to disciplinary action of bus drivers and assistants

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS: Section 1 of the bill amends Section 1604 of the education law by adding that school districts must abide by the existing collective bargaining agreement with regard to disciplinary action of bus drivers and assistance.

Section 2 of the bill amends Section 1709 of the education law by adding that school districts must abide by the existing collective bargaining agreement with regard to disciplinary action of bus drivers and assistance.

Section 3 of bill amends Section 2503 of the education law by adding that for schools in the City of White Plains that if transportation is provided, the district shall abide by the terms of any collectively bargained agreement.

JUSTIFICATION | Current law requires school bus drivers and assistants to secure special certification and licenses to convey school children to and from school. Those directly employed by school districts have statutory procedural protections against arbitrary and unfair disciplinary actions against them. Many suburban and rural school districts, however, contract out for transportation service; therefore, existing statutory procedural protections in such matters are inapplicable. Employees of the transportation contractor of the school district may have contractual protections covering disciplinary actions, but the school district is not a party of that contract. Hence the school district is able to undertake disciplinary action against employees of its contractor, without abiding by previously agreed to due process protections. This legislation does not prevent the district from undertaking a disciplinary action; it merely requires it to abide by the terms in an existing contract between its transportation contractor and its employees.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 2/9/23 and referred to Education. This bill has been introduced every year since 2011.

SUMMARY | An act to amend the education law, in relation to the transportation of children residing in a school district in the village of Tuckahoe

PURPOSE | The purpose of this bill is to give the school district of the village of Tuckahoe additional flexibility in shaping their own school transportation plans to transport children to public or private schools.

JUSTIFICATION | Current law establishes an obligation for school districts to transport children at least 15 miles each way from home to school and then back to home again. While this requirement may be sound for school districts of large geographical size, it may be a burden to smaller school districts such the village of Tuckahoe which is only 2.25 sq/miles in size. This bill merely authorizes the school district of the Village of Tuckahoe to reduce their responsibility of transporting pupils to a distance that more accurately reflects the size of the district Such mileage reduction may only occur after the school board adopts a resolution to authorize this change.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | Introduced on 2/10/23 and referred to Education. This bill has been introduced in every legislative session since 2011/12.

SUMMARY | An act to amend the workers' compensation law, in relation to allowing certain claimants to be reclassified to permanent total disability or total industrial disability due to extreme hardship

JUSTIFICATION | Workers' Compensation boards are currently mandated to provide extreme hardship benefits to recipients whose household incomes are less than 75% of an average weekly wage upon termination of the disability benefits. Extreme hardship can be applied for within a year of workers' compensation recipient's benefits being extinguished. If won, a worker is granted total permanent disability benefits. The workers' compensation board currently defines extreme hardship as the inability to meet household bills considering the injured worker's income as well as that of other household members. This bill makes it easier for a worker to earn extreme hardship by redefining lost wage-earning capacity at 50% instead of 75%. This will be especially helpful to workers who are older who might opt for their social security benefits earlier without a larger worker compensation benefit package.

STATUS/ACTION PLAN | The Senate Bill was introduced on 1/17/23 and referred to Labor. The Assembly Bill was introduced on January 4th, 2023, and referred to Labor as well. Both bills were first introduced in the 2019/20 legislative session (veto by Governor in 2022). NYSBCA issued a memo in opposition.

SUMMARY | Enacts the safeguarding employees and accountability for termination act. (Expressly excludes those in collective bargaining)

PURPOSE | The purpose of this legislation is to require employers to have good cause when terminating an employee.

JUSTIFICATION | The nail salon, restaurant, retail worker; these are a few "at will” employees that can be terminated from their job without cause. Private-sector employers can fire employees for any reason: to replace them with a family member, for extending vacation due to a flight cancellation, or simply because the employer did not like the employee. The uncertainty and instability of "at will" employment fosters inequality in bargaining power between employers and employees. Good cause termination may be a tool to balance the power dynamic of private-sector labor. By requiring good cause to terminate employees, New York can prevent senseless job loss and provide workers with more secure employment. Too many New Yorkers work in circumstances where they can be discharged without cause.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY | 2021-2022: S.8458 - Referred to Labor