NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A3131
SPONSOR: Magnarelli TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the transportation law, in relation to the creation of a
toll-free hotline and a website where motorists can report potholes
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To create an interactive website where motorists can report potholes.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends transportation law section 14 by adding a new subdivi-
sion 37 to provide that the commissioner shall establish a toll free
twenty-four hour hotline and interactive website by which persons may
report the locations of potholes on the state highway system including
the thruway, and receive, at such person's request, notification when
repairs to the reported pothole have been completed. The commissioner
shall also post the locations of each reported pothole on such interac-
tive website until such time as such pothole is repaired.
Section 2 is the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
The number and severity of potholes on state roads in e are creating an
emergency situation. Some unattended potholes have become craters. Many
cars that have driven over them have suffered tire blow-outs or more
significant damage. Additionally, cars are swerving to avoid them or
stopping short which could result in serious accidents.
While the Department of Transportation has a pothole hotline, New York
should follow the lead of other states that use the current technology
to post the location of each reported pothole to alert motorists to the
location of these potholes.
The proposed interactive website would allow drivers to assist the
Department in identifying and prioritizing work and allow them to avoid
potholes that have been reported. This interactive website could prevent
many accidents from occurring and damage to cars.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-2022: A.4415-A; 2019-20: A.3502; 2018: A.1992 vetoed Memo.353;
2016: A.965-A; 2014: A.8878
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law. 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
to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
