S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                         1249
                              2009-2010 Regular Sessions
                                   I N  S E N A T E
                                   January 28, 2009
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by  Sen.  SALAND -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
         printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
       AN ACT to amend the highway law, in relation to creating a state trooper
         highway memorial task force
         THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section  1. Legislative intent. It is the intent of the legislature to
    2  provide a mechanism to enhance recognition for  fallen  members  of  the
    3  state  police who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
    4  It shall be the charge of the task force created by this act to  develop
    5  a  procedure  for recognition of these dedicated men and women. Further-
    6  more, this act is intended to define  safe  and  acceptable  methods  of
    7  placing  memorials  along  the highways of this state that appropriately
    8  pay tribute to their service and preserve their memory forever.
    9    S 2. The highway law is amended by adding a new section 340-e to  read
   10  as follows:
   11    S  340-E.  STATE  TROOPER  HIGHWAY  MEMORIAL  TASK FORCE. 1. THE STATE
   12  TROOPER HIGHWAY MEMORIAL TASK FORCE IS HEREBY CREATED TO BE COMPRISED OF
   13  THE COMMISSIONER OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE,  THE  SUPERINTENDENT  OF  STATE
   14  POLICE  OR  HIS  OR  HER DESIGNEE, AND A MEMBER OF THE POLICE BENEVOLENT
   15  ASSOCIATION OF THE NEW YORK STATE TROOPERS, INC.
   16    2. WITHIN NINETY DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, THE  TASK
   17  FORCE  SHALL DEVELOP AND ESTABLISH GUIDELINES FOR RECOGNITION OF MEMBERS
   18  OF THE DIVISION OF STATE POLICE WHO HAVE DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.  SUCH
   19  RECOGNITION MAY BE IN THE FORM OF THE DEDICATION OF A PORTION OF A STATE
   20  HIGHWAY  AND/OR  THE  PLACEMENT  OF  A MEMORIAL PLAQUE OR MARKER ALONG A
   21  STATE HIGHWAY. ANY PLACEMENT OF A MEMORIAL  PLAQUE  OR  MARKER  ALONG  A
   22  STATE  HIGHWAY  SHALL BE APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER TO ENSURE THE SAFE
   23  AND EFFECTIVE TRAFFIC FLOW ALONG HIGHWAYS IN THIS STATE.
   24    3. ANY PERSON MAY SUBMIT TO THE STATE TROOPER  HIGHWAY  MEMORIAL  TASK
   25  FORCE,  IN  WRITING,  A  PETITION  SEEKING RECOGNITION OF MEMBERS OF THE
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD02613-01-9
       S. 1249                             2
    1  DIVISION OF STATE POLICE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES IN THE LINE OF DUTY.
    2  SUCH PETITION SHALL BE IN SUCH FORM AND CONTAIN SUCH INFORMATION AS  THE
    3  TASK  FORCE  MAY  REQUIRE. UPON THE RECEIPT OF A PETITION THE TASK FORCE
    4  SHALL  CONSIDER  THE  REQUEST AND ADVISE THE APPLICANT, IN WRITING, OF A
    5  DECISION ON ANY ACTION TO BE TAKEN WITHIN SIXTY DAYS OF THE  RECEIPT  OF
    6  SUCH  PETITION. UPON THE ACCEPTANCE OF ANY PETITION THE TASK FORCE SHALL
    7  DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE FORM AND LOCATION OF THE MEMORIAL TO BE IMPLE-
    8  MENTED.
    9    S 3. The commissioner of transportation shall provide for the  instal-
   10  lation  and  maintenance of adequate memorial plaques, markers and signs
   11  along the state highway system as designated pursuant to  section  340-e
   12  of  the highway law, as added by section two of this act; provided that,
   13  to avoid any confusion and to limit any possible disruption of commerce,
   14  any designation called for pursuant to such section shall be  one  of  a
   15  ceremonial  nature  and  the  official name of such highway shall not be
   16  changed as a result of this act.
   17    S 4. This act shall take effect immediately.