Bill Text: NJ S1555 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Prohibits snowplow operators from depositing snow in front of private driveways more than once each snow event.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-01-20 - Reported from Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading [S1555 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2010-S1555-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 1555

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

214th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED MARCH 4, 2010

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  RONALD L. RICE

District 28 (Essex)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Prohibits snowplow operators from depositing snow in front of private driveways more than once each snow event.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Senate Transportation Committee on January 20, 2011, with amendments.

  

An Act concerning the removal of snow from public streets and highways and supplementing Title 39 of the Revised Statues.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    a.  The Legislature finds and declares that the removal of accumulated snow on a public road, street, or highway represents one of the most basic government functions; however, snow removal activities that block residential driveways, effectively stranding residents in their homes, represent a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of this State.  Residents who clear their driveways of snow and ice, only to be plowed back in by snow removal equipment, will not be able to react quickly to a medical or other emergency requiring them to leave their home in an expeditious manner, leading to potentially deadly results.

     b.    ¹[The] A municipality may pass an ordinance or a resolution, as appropriate, prohibiting an¹ operator of a snowplow, or any other snow removal equipment, on a public street or highway ¹[shall not cause] from causing¹ snow to be piled up in front of a private driveway more than once during each snow event ¹and establishing penalties for a violation of the prohibition¹.  ¹[In the event it is necessary to plow a public street or highway more than one time during a snow event, and a driveway on the street has already been cleared of snow, the operator of the snowplow or other snow removal equipment is responsible for clearing the snow from the driveway within two hours.

     c.     An operator of snow removal equipment who fails to comply with the provisions of subsection b. of this section shall be subject to a fine of $20 for each blocked driveway, which shall be deposited into a fund maintained by the municipality to reimburse property owners for the cost of shoveling out their driveways.

     d.    A driveway shall be deemed blocked in the accumulated plowed snow is four inches high or deeper.]¹

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.