Bill Text: NY S01240 | 2009-2010 | General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Authorize the city of Buffalo to implement a program imposing monetary liability on vehicle owners for failure of an operator thereof to comply with traffic-control indications in such municipality; empowers the city of Buffalo to install and operate traffic-control signal photo-monitoring devices at intersections and highway-railroad crossings; directs that any monetary penalties received due to the installation and operation of such photo-monitoring devices shall be deposited to the credit of and received by such municipality, after the payment of any administrative costs; makes related provisions.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-06 - REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION [S01240 Detail]

Download: New_York-2009-S01240-Introduced.html
                           S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                         1240
                              2009-2010 Regular Sessions
                                   I N  S E N A T E
                                   January 28, 2009
                                      ___________
       Introduced by Sens. THOMPSON, KRUEGER -- read twice and ordered printed,
         and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
       AN  ACT  to amend the vehicle and traffic law, the general municipal law
         and the public officers law, in relation to  the  civil  liability  of
         vehicle  owners  of  traffic  control signal violations in the city of
         Buffalo
         THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section  1.  Subdivision  1  of section 235 of the vehicle and traffic
    2  law, as amended by chapter 379 of the laws of 1992, is amended  to  read
    3  as follows:
    4    1.  Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of any general, special
    5  or local law or administrative code to the contrary, in any  city  which
    6  heretofore  or  hereafter  is  authorized to establish an administrative
    7  tribunal to hear and determine complaints of traffic infractions consti-
    8  tuting parking, standing or stopping violations, or  to  adjudicate  the
    9  liability  of owners for violations of subdivision (d) of section eleven
   10  hundred eleven of this chapter in accordance with section eleven hundred
   11  eleven-a OR ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN-B of this chapter,  or  to  adjudicate
   12  the liability of owners for violations of toll collection regulations as
   13  defined in and in accordance with the provisions of section two thousand
   14  nine  hundred  eighty-five  of  the  public authorities law and sections
   15  sixteen-a, sixteen-b and sixteen-c of chapter seven hundred seventy-four
   16  of the laws of nineteen hundred fifty, such tribunal and the  rules  and
   17  regulations  pertaining  thereto  shall  be  constituted  in substantial
   18  conformance with the following sections.
   19    S 2. Section 235 of the vehicle and traffic law, as separately amended
   20  by chapter 746 of the laws of 1988 and chapter 379 of the laws of  1992,
   21  is amended to read as follows:
   22    S 235. Jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of any
   23  general, special or local law or administrative code to the contrary, in
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD04715-01-9
       S. 1240                             2
    1  any  city  which  heretofore  or hereafter is authorized to establish an
    2  administrative tribunal to hear  and  determine  complaints  of  traffic
    3  infractions constituting parking, standing or stopping violations, or to
    4  adjudicate  the liability of owners for violations of subdivision (d) of
    5  section eleven hundred eleven of this chapter in accordance with section
    6  eleven hundred eleven-a OR ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN-B of this  chapter,  or
    7  to  adjudicate the liability of owners for violations of toll collection
    8  regulations as defined in and  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of
    9  section  two thousand nine hundred eighty-five of the public authorities
   10  law and sections sixteen-a, sixteen-b and  sixteen-c  of  chapter  seven
   11  hundred  seventy-four of the laws of nineteen hundred fifty, such tribu-
   12  nal and the rules and regulations pertaining thereto  shall  be  consti-
   13  tuted in substantial conformance with the following sections.
   14    S  3.  Section 235 of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by chapter
   15  715 of the laws of 1972 and as amended by chapter 379  of  the  laws  of
   16  1992, is amended to read as follows:
   17    S 235. Jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of any
   18  general, special or local law or administrative code to the contrary, in
   19  any  city  which  heretofore  or hereafter is authorized to establish an
   20  administrative tribunal to hear  and  determine  complaints  of  traffic
   21  infractions constituting parking, standing or stopping violations, OR TO
   22  ADJUDICATE  THE LIABILITY OF OWNERS FOR VIOLATIONS OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF
   23  SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS CHAPTER IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION
   24  ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN-B OF THIS CHAPTER, or to adjudicate the  liability
   25  of  owners  for  violations of toll collection regulations as defined in
   26  and in accordance with the  provisions  of  section  two  thousand  nine
   27  hundred   eighty-five   of  the  public  authorities  law  and  sections
   28  sixteen-a, sixteen-b and sixteen-c of chapter seven hundred seventy-four
   29  of the laws of nineteen hundred fifty, such tribunal and the  rules  and
   30  regulations  pertaining  thereto  shall  be  constituted  in substantial
   31  conformance with the following sections.
   32    S 4. Subdivision 1 of section 236 of the vehicle and traffic  law,  as
   33  amended  by  chapter  379  of  the  laws  of 1992, is amended to read as
   34  follows:
   35    1. Creation. In any city as hereinbefore or hereafter authorized  such
   36  tribunal  when  created  shall be known as the parking violations bureau
   37  and shall have jurisdiction of traffic infractions  which  constitute  a
   38  parking violation and, where authorized by local law adopted pursuant to
   39  subdivision  (a) of section eleven hundred eleven-a OR OF SECTION ELEVEN
   40  HUNDRED ELEVEN-B of this chapter,  shall  adjudicate  the  liability  of
   41  owners for violations of subdivision (d) of section eleven hundred elev-
   42  en  of  this  chapter  in  accordance  with  such section eleven hundred
   43  eleven-a OR ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN-B, and shall adjudicate the  liability
   44  of  owners  for  violations of toll collection regulations as defined in
   45  and in accordance with the  provisions  of  section  two  thousand  nine
   46  hundred   eighty-five   of  the  public  authorities  law  and  sections
   47  sixteen-a, sixteen-b and sixteen-c of chapter seven hundred seventy-four
   48  of the laws of nineteen hundred fifty.  Such tribunal, except in a  city
   49  with  a  population of one million or more, shall also have jurisdiction
   50  of abandoned vehicle violations. For the purposes  of  this  article,  a
   51  parking  violation  is  the  violation  of  any  law, rule or regulation
   52  providing for or regulating the parking, stopping or standing of a vehi-
   53  cle. In addition for purposes of this article, "commissioner" shall mean
   54  and include the commissioner of traffic  of  the  city  or  an  official
   55  possessing authority as such a commissioner.
       S. 1240                             3
    1    S  5.  Subdivision 1 of section 236 of the vehicle and traffic law, as
    2  added by chapter 715 of the laws of 1972, is amended to read as follows:
    3    1.  Creation. In any city as hereinbefore or hereafter authorized such
    4  tribunal when created shall be known as the  parking  violations  bureau
    5  and  shall  have  jurisdiction of traffic infractions which constitute a
    6  parking violation AND, WHERE AUTHORIZED BY LOCAL LAW ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
    7  SUBDIVISION (A) OF SECTION ELEVEN  HUNDRED  ELEVEN-B  OF  THIS  CHAPTER,
    8  SHALL  ADJUDICATE  THE LIABILITY OF OWNERS FOR VIOLATIONS OF SUBDIVISION
    9  (D) OF SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS CHAPTER IN ACCORDANCE  WITH
   10  SUCH SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN-B.  For the purposes of this article,
   11  a  parking  violation  is  the  violation of any law, rule or regulation
   12  providing for or regulating the parking, stopping or standing of a vehi-
   13  cle. In addition for purposes of this article, "commissioner" shall mean
   14  and include the commissioner of traffic  of  the  city  or  an  official
   15  possessing authority as such a commissioner.
   16    S  6. Subdivision 10 of section 237 of the vehicle and traffic law, as
   17  amended by chapter 379 of the laws  of  1992,  is  amended  to  read  as
   18  follows:
   19    10.  To  adjudicate the liability of owners for violations of subdivi-
   20  sion (d) of section eleven hundred eleven of this chapter in  accordance
   21  with  section eleven hundred eleven-a OR ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN-B of this
   22  chapter, if authorized by local law adopted pursuant to subdivision  (a)
   23  of such section eleven hundred eleven-a;
   24    S 7. Section 237 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a
   25  new subdivision 10 to read as follows:
   26    10.  TO  ADJUDICATE THE LIABILITY OF OWNERS FOR VIOLATIONS OF SUBDIVI-
   27  SION (D) OF SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS CHAPTER IN  ACCORDANCE
   28  WITH  SECTION  ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN-B OF THIS CHAPTER, IF AUTHORIZED BY
   29  LOCAL LAW ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (A)  OF  SUCH  SECTION  ELEVEN
   30  HUNDRED ELEVEN-B.
   31    S  8.  Paragraph  f of subdivision 1 of section 239 of the vehicle and
   32  traffic law, as amended by chapter 379 of the laws of 1992,  is  amended
   33  to read as follows:
   34    f.  "Notice  of  violation"  means a notice of violation as defined in
   35  subdivision nine of section two hundred thirty-seven  of  this  article,
   36  but shall not be deemed to include a notice of liability issued pursuant
   37  to  authorization set forth in section eleven hundred eleven-a OR ELEVEN
   38  HUNDRED ELEVEN-B of this chapter and shall not be deemed  to  include  a
   39  notice of liability issued pursuant to section two thousand nine hundred
   40  eighty-five  of  the  public  authorities  law  and  sections sixteen-a,
   41  sixteen-b and sixteen-c of chapter seven  hundred  seventy-four  of  the
   42  laws of nineteen hundred fifty.
   43    S  9.  Paragraph  f of subdivision 1 of section 239 of the vehicle and
   44  traffic law, as added by chapter 180 of the laws of 1980, is amended  to
   45  read as follows:
   46    f.  "Notice  of  violation"  means a notice of violation as defined in
   47  subdivision nine of section two hundred thirty-seven of this article BUT
   48  SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO INCLUDE A NOTICE OF LIABILITY ISSUED PURSUANT  TO
   49  AUTHORIZATION SET FORTH IN SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN-B OF THIS CHAP-
   50  TER.
   51    S  10. Section 239 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding
   52  a new subdivision 5 to read as follows:
   53    5. APPLICABILITY; LIABILITY OF OWNERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION ELEV-
   54  EN HUNDRED ELEVEN-B OF THIS CHAPTER. THE PROVISIONS OF  PARAGRAPH  B  OF
   55  SUBDIVISION  TWO  AND  SUBDIVISION  THREE  OF  THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE
   56  APPLICABLE TO DETERMINATIONS  OF  OWNER  LIABILITY  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH
       S. 1240                             4
    1  SECTION  ELEVEN  HUNDRED  ELEVEN-B OF THIS CHAPTER FOR THE FAILURE OF AN
    2  OPERATOR TO COMPLY WITH SUBDIVISION (D) OF SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN
    3  OF THIS CHAPTER.
    4    S  11. Subdivision 1 of section 240 of the vehicle and traffic law, as
    5  amended by chapter 379 of the laws  of  1992,  is  amended  to  read  as
    6  follows:
    7    1.  Notice  of  hearing.  Whenever  a  person  charged  with a parking
    8  violation enters a plea of not guilty or a person alleged to  be  liable
    9  in  accordance  with  section  eleven hundred eleven-a OR ELEVEN HUNDRED
   10  ELEVEN-B of this chapter for a violation of subdivision (d)  of  section
   11  eleven  hundred  eleven  of  this chapter contests such allegation, or a
   12  person alleged to be liable in accordance with the provisions of section
   13  two thousand nine hundred eighty-five of the public authorities  law  or
   14  sections  sixteen-a,  sixteen-b  and  sixteen-c of chapter seven hundred
   15  seventy-four of the laws of nineteen hundred  fifty,  the  bureau  shall
   16  advise  such  person  personally by such form of first class mail as the
   17  director may direct of the date on which he must appear  to  answer  the
   18  charge  at  a  hearing.  The  form and content of such notice of hearing
   19  shall be prescribed by the director, and  shall  contain  a  warning  to
   20  advise  the  person  so pleading or contesting that failure to appear on
   21  the date designated, or on  any  subsequent  adjourned  date,  shall  be
   22  deemed  an  admission  of  liability, and that a default judgment may be
   23  entered thereon.
   24    S 12. Subdivision 1 of section 240 of the vehicle and traffic law,  as
   25  added by chapter 715 of the laws of 1972, is amended to read as follows:
   26    1.  Notice  of  hearing.  Whenever  a  person  charged  with a parking
   27  violation enters a plea of not guilty OR A PERSON ALLEGED TO  BE  LIABLE
   28  IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN-B OF THIS CHAPTER FOR A
   29  VIOLATION  OF  SUBDIVISION  (D) OF SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS
   30  CHAPTER CONTESTS SUCH ALLEGATION, the bureau shall  advise  such  person
   31  personally  by  such form of first class mail as the director may direct
   32  of the date on which he must appear to answer the charge at  a  hearing.
   33  The  form  and  content of such notice of hearing shall be prescribed by
   34  the director, and shall contain a warning to advise the person so plead-
   35  ing OR CONTESTING that failure to appear on the date designated,  or  on
   36  any  subsequent  adjourned date, shall be deemed an admission of liabil-
   37  ity, and that a default judgment may be entered thereon.
   38    S 13. Subdivision 1-a of section 240 of the vehicle and  traffic  law,
   39  as  amended  by  chapter  379 of the laws of 1992, is amended to read as
   40  follows:
   41    1-a. Fines and penalties. Whenever a  plea  of  not  guilty  has  been
   42  entered, or the bureau has been notified that an allegation of liability
   43  in  accordance  with  section  eleven hundred eleven-a OR ELEVEN HUNDRED
   44  ELEVEN-B of this chapter or an allegation  of  liability  in  accordance
   45  with section two thousand nine hundred eighty-five of the public author-
   46  ities  law  or  sections  sixteen-a,  sixteen-b and sixteen-c of chapter
   47  seven hundred seventy-four of the laws of  nineteen  hundred  fifty,  is
   48  being  contested, by a person in a timely fashion and a hearing upon the
   49  merits has been demanded, but has not yet been held,  the  bureau  shall
   50  not issue any notice of fine or penalty to that person prior to the date
   51  of the hearing.
   52    S  14.  Subdivision 1-a of section 240 of the vehicle and traffic law,
   53  as added by chapter 365 of the laws of  1978,  is  amended  to  read  as
   54  follows:
   55    1-a.  Fines  and  penalties.  Whenever  a  plea of not guilty has been
   56  entered, OR THE BUREAU HAS BEEN NOTIFIED THAT AN ALLEGATION OF LIABILITY
       S. 1240                             5
    1  IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN-B OF  THIS  CHAPTER  IS
    2  BEING  CONTESTED, by a person in a timely fashion and a hearing upon the
    3  merits has been demanded, but has not yet been held,  the  bureau  shall
    4  not issue any notice of fine or penalty to that person prior to the date
    5  of the hearing.
    6    S  15. Paragraphs a and g of subdivision 2 of section 240 of the vehi-
    7  cle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 379 of the laws of 1992,  are
    8  amended to read as follows:
    9    a. Every hearing for the adjudication of a charge of parking violation
   10  or  an allegation of liability in accordance with section eleven hundred
   11  eleven-a OR ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN-B of this chapter or an allegation  of
   12  liability  in  accordance with section two thousand nine hundred eighty-
   13  five of the public authorities law or sections sixteen-a, sixteen-b  and
   14  sixteen-c  of chapter seven hundred seventy-four of the laws of nineteen
   15  hundred fifty shall be held before a hearing examiner in accordance with
   16  rules and regulations promulgated by the bureau.
   17    g. A record shall be made of a hearing on a plea of not guilty or of a
   18  hearing at which liability in accordance  with  section  eleven  hundred
   19  eleven-a OR ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN-B of this chapter is contested or of a
   20  hearing  at which liability in accordance with section two thousand nine
   21  hundred eighty-five of the public authorities law or sections sixteen-a,
   22  sixteen-b and sixteen-c of chapter seven  hundred  seventy-four  of  the
   23  laws  of  nineteen  hundred fifty is contested. Recording devices may be
   24  used for the making of the record.
   25    S 16. Paragraphs a and g of subdivision 2 of section 240 of the  vehi-
   26  cle  and  traffic  law, as added by chapter 715 of the laws of 1972, are
   27  amended to read as follows:
   28    a. Every hearing for the adjudication of a charge of parking violation
   29  OR AN ALLEGATION OF LIABILITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION ELEVEN  HUNDRED
   30  ELEVEN-B  OF  THIS  CHAPTER  shall  be held before a hearing examiner in
   31  accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the bureau.
   32    g. A record shall be made of a hearing on a plea of not guilty OR OF A
   33  HEARING AT WHICH LIABILITY IN ACCORDANCE  WITH  SECTION  ELEVEN  HUNDRED
   34  ELEVEN-B  OF  THIS  CHAPTER IS CONTESTED.  Recording devices may be used
   35  for the making of the record.
   36    S 17. Subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 241 of the vehicle  and  traffic
   37  law,  as amended by chapter 379 of the laws of 1992, are amended to read
   38  as follows:
   39    1. The hearing examiner shall make a  determination  on  the  charges,
   40  either  sustaining or dismissing them. Where the hearing examiner deter-
   41  mines that the charges have been sustained he OR SHE may examine  either
   42  the  prior  parking  violations  record  or  the  record  of liabilities
   43  incurred in accordance with section eleven hundred  eleven-a  OR  ELEVEN
   44  HUNDRED  ELEVEN-B  of this chapter or the record of liabilities incurred
   45  in accordance with section two thousand nine hundred eighty-five of  the
   46  public authorities law or sections sixteen-a, sixteen-b and sixteen-c of
   47  chapter seven hundred seventy-four of the laws of nineteen hundred fifty
   48  of the person charged, as applicable prior to rendering a final determi-
   49  nation.  Final  determinations sustaining or dismissing charges shall be
   50  entered on a final determination roll maintained by the bureau  together
   51  with records showing payment and nonpayment of penalties.
   52    2.  Where  an operator or owner fails to enter a plea to a charge of a
   53  parking violation or contest an allegation of  liability  in  accordance
   54  with  section eleven hundred eleven-a OR ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN-B of this
   55  chapter or fails to contest an allegation  of  liability  in  accordance
   56  with section two thousand nine hundred eighty-five of the public author-
       S. 1240                             6
    1  ities  law  or  sections  sixteen-a,  sixteen-b and sixteen-c of chapter
    2  seven hundred seventy-four of the laws of  nineteen  hundred  fifty,  or
    3  fails  to  appear  on  a designated hearing date or subsequent adjourned
    4  date  or  fails  after  a  hearing to comply with the determination of a
    5  hearing examiner, as prescribed by this article or by rule or regulation
    6  of the bureau, such failure to plead or contest, appear or comply  shall
    7  be  deemed,  for  all  purposes,  an admission of liability and shall be
    8  grounds for rendering and entering  a  default  judgment  in  an  amount
    9  provided  by the rules and regulations of the bureau. However, after the
   10  expiration of the original date  prescribed  for  entering  a  plea  and
   11  before a default judgment may be rendered, in such case the bureau shall
   12  pursuant  to  the  applicable  provisions of law notify such operator or
   13  owner, by such form of first class mail as the  commission  may  direct;
   14  (1)  of  the  violation charged, or liability in accordance with section
   15  eleven hundred eleven-a OR  ELEVEN  HUNDRED  ELEVEN-B  of  this  chapter
   16  alleged  or  liability  in  accordance  with  section  two thousand nine
   17  hundred eighty-five of the public authorities law or sections sixteen-a,
   18  sixteen-b and sixteen-c of chapter seven  hundred  seventy-four  of  the
   19  laws  of  nineteen  hundred  fifty alleged, (2) of the impending default
   20  judgment, (3) that such judgment will be entered in the Civil  Court  of
   21  the  city  in  which  the bureau has been established, or other court of
   22  civil jurisdiction or any other place provided for the  entry  of  civil
   23  judgments  within  the  state of New York, and (4) that a default may be
   24  avoided by entering a plea or contesting an allegation of  liability  in
   25  accordance  with  section  eleven  hundred  eleven-a  OR  ELEVEN HUNDRED
   26  ELEVEN-B of this chapter or contesting an  allegation  of  liability  in
   27  accordance  with  section  two  thousand nine hundred eighty-five of the
   28  public authorities law or sections sixteen-a, sixteen-b and sixteen-c of
   29  chapter seven hundred seventy-four  of  the  laws  of  nineteen  hundred
   30  fifty, as appropriate, or making an appearance within thirty days of the
   31  sending  of such notice.  Pleas entered and allegations contested within
   32  that period shall be in the manner prescribed  in  the  notice  and  not
   33  subject  to  additional penalty or fee. Such notice of impending default
   34  judgment shall not be required prior to the rendering and entry  thereof
   35  in the case of operators or owners who are non-residents of the state of
   36  New  York.  In  no  case  shall a default judgment be rendered or, where
   37  required, a notice of impending default judgment be sent, more than  two
   38  years after the expiration of the time prescribed for entering a plea or
   39  contesting  an allegation. When a person has demanded a hearing, no fine
   40  or penalty shall be imposed for any reason, prior to the holding of  the
   41  hearing.  If  the  hearing  examiner  shall  make a determination on the
   42  charges, sustaining them, he OR SHE shall impose no greater  penalty  or
   43  fine than those upon which the person was originally charged.
   44    S  18.  Subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 241 of the vehicle and traffic
   45  law, subdivision 1 as added by chapter 715  of  the  laws  of  1972  and
   46  subdivision 2 as amended by chapter 365 of the laws of 1978, are amended
   47  to read as follows:
   48    1.  The  hearing  examiner  shall make a determination on the charges,
   49  either sustaining or dismissing them. Where the hearing examiner  deter-
   50  mines  that the charges have been sustained he OR SHE may examine EITHER
   51  the prior  parking  violations  record  OR  THE  RECORD  OF  LIABILITIES
   52  INCURRED  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  SECTION  ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN-B OF THIS
   53  CHAPTER of the person charged, AS APPLICABLE prior to rendering a  final
   54  determination.  Final  determinations  sustaining  or dismissing charges
   55  shall be entered on a final determination roll maintained by the  bureau
   56  together with records showing payment and nonpayment of penalties.
       S. 1240                             7
    1    2.  Where  an operator or owner fails to enter a plea to a charge of a
    2  parking violation OR CONTEST AN ALLEGATION OF  LIABILITY  IN  ACCORDANCE
    3  WITH SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN-B OF THIS CHAPTER, or fails to appear
    4  on a designated hearing date or subsequent adjourned date or fails after
    5  a  hearing  to  comply  with the determination of a hearing examiner, as
    6  prescribed by this article or by rule or regulation of the bureau,  such
    7  failure  to  plead,  CONTEST,  appear or comply shall be deemed, for all
    8  purposes, an admission of liability and shall be grounds  for  rendering
    9  and  entering  a default judgment in an amount provided by the rules and
   10  regulations of the bureau. However, after the expiration of the original
   11  date prescribed for entering a plea and before a default judgment may be
   12  rendered, in such case the  bureau  shall  pursuant  to  the  applicable
   13  provisions  of  law notify such operator or owner, by such form of first
   14  class mail as the commission may direct; (1) of the  violation  charged,
   15  OR  LIABILITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN-B OF THIS
   16  CHAPTER ALLEGED, (2) of the impending default judgment,  (3)  that  such
   17  judgment  will  be  entered  in the Civil Court of the city in which the
   18  bureau has been established, or other court of civil jurisdiction or any
   19  other place provided for the entry of civil judgments within  the  state
   20  of New York, and (4) that a default may be avoided by entering a plea OR
   21  CONTESTING  AN ALLEGATION OF LIABILITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION ELEVEN
   22  HUNDRED ELEVEN-B OF THIS CHAPTER, AS APPROPRIATE, or making  an  appear-
   23  ance within thirty days of the sending of such notice. Pleas entered AND
   24  ALLEGATIONS  CONTESTED  within  that  period  shall  be  in  the  manner
   25  prescribed in the notice and not subject to additional penalty  or  fee.
   26  Such notice of impending default judgment shall not be required prior to
   27  the  rendering  and entry thereof in the case of operators or owners who
   28  are non-residents of the state of New York. In no case shall  a  default
   29  judgment  be  rendered or, where required, a notice of impending default
   30  judgment be sent, more than two years after the expiration of  the  time
   31  prescribed  for  entering  a  plea OR CONTESTING AN ALLEGATION.   When a
   32  person has demanded a hearing, no fine or penalty shall be  imposed  for
   33  any reason, prior to the holding of the hearing. If the hearing examiner
   34  shall  make  a  determination on the charges, sustaining them, he OR SHE
   35  shall impose no greater penalty or fine than those upon which the person
   36  was originally charged.
   37    S 19. Paragraph a of subdivision 5-a of section 401 of the vehicle and
   38  traffic law, as amended by chapter 496 of the laws of 1990, subparagraph
   39  (i) as designated and subparagraph (ii) as added by chapter 373  of  the
   40  laws of 1994, is amended to read as follows:
   41    a.  (i)  If  at  the time of application for a registration or renewal
   42  thereof there is  a  certification  from  a  court,  parking  violations
   43  bureau, traffic and parking violations agency or administrative tribunal
   44  of  appropriate  jurisdiction  or administrative tribunal of appropriate
   45  jurisdiction that the registrant or his OR HER representative failed  to
   46  appear  on the return date or any subsequent adjourned date or failed to
   47  comply with the rules and  regulations  of  an  administrative  tribunal
   48  following  entry  of a final decision in response to a total of three or
   49  more summonses or other process in the aggregate, issued within an eigh-
   50  teen month period, charging either  that  (i)  such  motor  vehicle  was
   51  parked, stopped or standing, or that such motor vehicle was operated for
   52  hire  by  the registrant or his OR HER agent without being licensed as a
   53  motor vehicle for hire by the appropriate local authority, in  violation
   54  of  any of the provisions of this chapter or of any law, ordinance, rule
   55  or regulation made by a local  authority  or  (ii)  the  registrant  was
   56  liable  in  accordance  with  section  eleven hundred eleven-a OR ELEVEN
       S. 1240                             8
    1  HUNDRED ELEVEN-B of this chapter for a violation of subdivision  (d)  of
    2  section  eleven  hundred eleven of this chapter, the commissioner or his
    3  OR HER agent shall deny the registration or  renewal  application  until
    4  the  applicant  provides  proof  from  the  court,  traffic  and parking
    5  violations agency or administrative tribunal  wherein  the  charges  are
    6  pending  that an appearance or answer has been made or in the case of an
    7  administrative tribunal that he OR SHE has complied with the  rules  and
    8  regulations  of said tribunal following entry of a final decision. Where
    9  an application is denied pursuant to this section, the commissioner may,
   10  in his OR HER discretion, deny a registration or renewal application  to
   11  any  other  person  for  the same vehicle and may deny a registration or
   12  renewal application for any other motor vehicle registered in  the  name
   13  of  the applicant where the commissioner has determined that such regis-
   14  trant's intent has been to evade the purposes of  this  subdivision  and
   15  where  the  commissioner  has  reasonable  grounds  to believe that such
   16  registration or renewal will have the effect of defeating  the  purposes
   17  of  this subdivision. Such denial shall only remain in effect as long as
   18  the summonses remain unanswered, or in the  case  of  an  administrative
   19  tribunal,  the registrant fails to comply with the rules and regulations
   20  following entry of a final decision.
   21    (ii) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "motor vehicle  operated
   22  for  hire" shall mean and include a taxicab, livery, coach, limousine or
   23  tow truck.
   24    S 20. Paragraph a of subdivision 5-a of section 401 of the vehicle and
   25  traffic law, as separately amended by chapters 339 and 592 of  the  laws
   26  of 1987, is amended to read as follows:
   27    a. If at the time of application for a registration or renewal thereof
   28  there  is  a  certification  from  a court or administrative tribunal of
   29  appropriate jurisdiction that the registrant or  his  OR  HER  represen-
   30  tative  failed  to appear on the return date or any subsequent adjourned
   31  date or failed to comply with the rules and regulations of  an  adminis-
   32  trative  tribunal  following  entry of a final decision in response to A
   33  TOTAL OF three or more summonses or  other  process  IN  THE  AGGREGATE,
   34  issued  within  an  eighteen month period, charging EITHER that (I) such
   35  motor vehicle was parked, stopped or standing, or that such motor  vehi-
   36  cle  was operated for hire by the registrant or his OR HER agent without
   37  being licensed as a motor vehicle for  hire  by  the  appropriate  local
   38  authority,  in  violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or of
   39  any law, ordinance, rule or regulation made by a local authority OR (II)
   40  THE REGISTRANT WAS LIABLE IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  SECTION  ELEVEN  HUNDRED
   41  ELEVEN-B  OF  THIS CHAPTER FOR A VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF SECTION
   42  ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS CHAPTER, the commissioner or  his  OR  HER
   43  agent  shall  deny  the  registration  or  renewal application until the
   44  applicant provides proof from the court or administrative tribunal wher-
   45  ein the charges are pending that an appearance or answer has  been  made
   46  or in the case of an administrative tribunal that he OR SHE has complied
   47  with  the  rules  and  regulations of said tribunal following entry of a
   48  final decision. Where an application is denied pursuant to this section,
   49  the commissioner may, in his OR HER discretion, deny a  registration  or
   50  renewal  application  to  any  other person for the same vehicle and may
   51  deny a registration or renewal application for any other  motor  vehicle
   52  registered  in  the  name  of  the  applicant where the commissioner has
   53  determined that such registrant's intent has been to evade the  purposes
   54  of this subdivision and where the commissioner has reasonable grounds to
   55  believe  that  such  registration  or  renewal  will  have the effect of
   56  defeating the purposes of  this  subdivision.  Such  denial  shall  only
       S. 1240                             9
    1  remain  in  effect as long as the summonses remain unanswered, or in the
    2  case of an administrative tribunal, the registrant fails to comply  with
    3  the rules and regulations following entry of a final decision.
    4    S  21.  The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section
    5  1111-b to read as follows:
    6    S 1111-B. OWNER LIABILITY FOR  FAILURE  OF  OPERATOR  TO  COMPLY  WITH
    7  TRAFFIC-CONTROL  INDICATIONS; CITY OF BUFFALO IN THE COUNTY OF ERIE. (A)
    8  NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THE MUNICIPALITY OF THE CITY
    9  OF BUFFALO IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED AND EMPOWERED TO ADOPT AND AMEND A LOCAL
   10  LAW OR ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PROGRAM IMPOSING MONETARY  LIABILITY  ON
   11  THE OWNER OF A VEHICLE FOR FAILURE OF AN OPERATOR THEREOF TO COMPLY WITH
   12  TRAFFIC-CONTROL  INDICATIONS IN SUCH MUNICIPALITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
   13  PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION. SUCH PROGRAM SHALL EMPOWER SUCH MUNICIPALITY
   14  TO INSTALL AND OPERATE TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL  PHOTO-MONITORING  DEVICES
   15  AT  INTERSECTIONS  AND  HIGHWAY-RAILROAD  CROSSINGS  WITHIN SUCH MUNICI-
   16  PALITY.
   17    (B) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
   18    1.  THE TERM "MUNICIPALITY" SHALL MEAN THE  CITY  OF  BUFFALO  LOCATED
   19  WITHIN THE COUNTY OF ERIE; AND
   20    2.  THE  TERM  "PARKING  VIOLATIONS BUREAU" OR "BUREAU" SHALL MEAN THE
   21  PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU OF THE CITY  OF  BUFFALO  LOCATED  WITHIN  THE
   22  COUNTY OF ERIE.
   23    (C)  IN  THE  MUNICIPALITY  WHICH HAS ADOPTED A LOCAL LAW OR ORDINANCE
   24  PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (A) OF THIS SECTION,  THE  OWNER  OF  A  VEHICLE
   25  SHALL  BE  LIABLE FOR A PENALTY IMPOSED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION IF SUCH
   26  VEHICLE WAS USED OR OPERATED WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE  OWNER,  EXPRESS
   27  OR  IMPLIED,  IN  VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED
   28  ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE, AND SUCH VIOLATION IS EVIDENCED  BY  INFORMATION
   29  OBTAINED  FROM  A  TRAFFIC-CONTROL  SIGNAL  VIOLATION-MONITORING SYSTEM;
   30  PROVIDED HOWEVER THAT NO OWNER OF A VEHICLE SHALL BE LIABLE FOR A PENAL-
   31  TY IMPOSED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION WHERE THE OPERATOR OF  SUCH  VEHICLE
   32  HAS  BEEN  CONVICTED  OF  THE UNDERLYING VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF
   33  SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE.
   34    (D) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS  SECTION,  "OWNER"  SHALL  HAVE  THE  MEANING
   35  PROVIDED IN ARTICLE TWO-B OF THIS CHAPTER. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION,
   36  "TRAFFIC-CONTROL  SIGNAL VIOLATION-MONITORING SYSTEM" SHALL MEAN A VEHI-
   37  CLE SENSOR INSTALLED TO  WORK  IN  CONJUNCTION  WITH  A  TRAFFIC-CONTROL
   38  SIGNAL WHICH AUTOMATICALLY PRODUCES TWO OR MORE PHOTOGRAPHS, TWO OR MORE
   39  MICROPHOTOGRAPHS,  A  VIDEOTAPE OR OTHER RECORDED IMAGES OF EACH VEHICLE
   40  AT THE TIME IT IS USED OR OPERATED IN VIOLATION OF  SUBDIVISION  (D)  OF
   41  SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE.
   42    (E)  A  CERTIFICATE,  SWORN TO OR AFFIRMED BY A TECHNICIAN EMPLOYED BY
   43  THE MUNICIPALITY IN WHICH THE CHARGED VIOLATION OCCURRED, OR A FACSIMILE
   44  THEREOF, BASED UPON INSPECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS,  MICROPHOTOGRAPHS,  VIDE-
   45  OTAPE  OR  OTHER  RECORDED  IMAGES  PRODUCED BY A TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL
   46  VIOLATION-MONITORING SYSTEM, SHALL BE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF THE  FACTS
   47  CONTAINED THEREIN. ANY PHOTOGRAPHS, MICROPHOTOGRAPHS, VIDEOTAPE OR OTHER
   48  RECORDED  IMAGES  EVIDENCING  SUCH  A  VIOLATION  SHALL BE AVAILABLE FOR
   49  INSPECTION IN ANY  PROCEEDING  TO  ADJUDICATE  THE  LIABILITY  FOR  SUCH
   50  VIOLATION  PURSUANT TO A LOCAL LAW OR ORDINANCE ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THIS
   51  SECTION.
   52    (F) AN OWNER LIABLE FOR A VIOLATION  OF  SUBDIVISION  (D)  OF  SECTION
   53  ELEVEN  HUNDRED  ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE PURSUANT TO A LOCAL LAW OR ORDI-
   54  NANCE ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION  SHALL  BE  LIABLE  FOR  MONETARY
   55  PENALTIES  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  A SCHEDULE OF FINES AND PENALTIES TO BE
   56  PROMULGATED BY THE PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU.    THE  LIABILITY  OF  THE
       S. 1240                            10
    1  OWNER  PURSUANT  TO THIS SECTION SHALL NOT EXCEED FIFTY DOLLARS FOR EACH
    2  VIOLATION; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT  SUCH  LOCAL  LAW  OR  ORDINANCE  MAY
    3  PROVIDE  FOR  AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY NOT IN EXCESS OF TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS
    4  FOR  EACH  VIOLATION FOR THE FAILURE TO RESPOND TO A NOTICE OF LIABILITY
    5  WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME PERIOD.  ANY MONETARY PENALTIES RECEIVED  DUE
    6  TO  THE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL PHOTO-MONI-
    7  TORING DEVICES IN THE MUNICIPALITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION SHALL
    8  BE DEPOSITED TO THE CREDIT OF AND RECEIVED BY  SUCH  MUNICIPALITY  AFTER
    9  THE PAYMENT OF ANY ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.
   10    (G)  AN IMPOSITION OF LIABILITY UNDER A LOCAL LAW OR ORDINANCE ADOPTED
   11  PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE DEEMED A CONVICTION AS AN OPERATOR
   12  AND SHALL NOT BE MADE PART OF THE OPERATING RECORD OF  THE  PERSON  UPON
   13  WHOM  SUCH  LIABILITY  IS  IMPOSED  NOR  SHALL  IT BE USED FOR INSURANCE
   14  PURPOSES IN THE PROVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE COVERAGE.
   15    (H) 1. A NOTICE OF LIABILITY SHALL BE SENT BY FIRST CLASS MAIL TO EACH
   16  PERSON ALLEGED TO BE LIABLE AS AN OWNER FOR A VIOLATION  OF  SUBDIVISION
   17  (D)  OF  SECTION  ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE PURSUANT TO THIS
   18  SECTION. PERSONAL DELIVERY ON THE OWNER SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED. A  MANUAL
   19  OR  AUTOMATIC RECORD OF MAILING PREPARED IN THE ORDINARY COURSE OF BUSI-
   20  NESS SHALL BE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF THE FACTS CONTAINED THEREIN.
   21    2. A NOTICE OF LIABILITY SHALL CONTAIN THE NAME  AND  ADDRESS  OF  THE
   22  PERSON  ALLEGED  TO BE LIABLE AS AN OWNER FOR A VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION
   23  (D) OF SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE  PURSUANT  TO  THIS
   24  SECTION,  THE  REGISTRATION  NUMBER  OF  THE  VEHICLE  INVOLVED  IN SUCH
   25  VIOLATION, THE LOCATION WHERE SUCH VIOLATION TOOK PLACE,  THE  DATE  AND
   26  TIME OF SUCH VIOLATION AND THE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER OF THE CAMERA WHICH
   27  RECORDED THE VIOLATION OR OTHER DOCUMENT LOCATOR NUMBER.
   28    3.  THE  NOTICE  OF  LIABILITY  SHALL CONTAIN INFORMATION ADVISING THE
   29  PERSON CHARGED OF THE MANNER AND THE TIME IN WHICH HE OR SHE MAY CONTEST
   30  THE LIABILITY ALLEGED IN THE NOTICE. SUCH NOTICE OF LIABILITY SHALL ALSO
   31  CONTAIN A WARNING TO ADVISE THE PERSONS CHARGED THAT FAILURE TO  CONTEST
   32  IN  THE MANNER AND TIME PROVIDED SHALL BE DEEMED AN ADMISSION OF LIABIL-
   33  ITY AND THAT A DEFAULT JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED THEREON.
   34    4. THE NOTICE OF LIABILITY SHALL BE PREPARED AND MAILED BY THE MUNICI-
   35  PALITY OR BY ANY OTHER ENTITY AUTHORIZED BY THE MUNICIPALITY TO  PREPARE
   36  AND MAIL SUCH NOTIFICATION OF VIOLATION.
   37    (I)  ADJUDICATION OF THE LIABILITY IMPOSED UPON OWNERS BY THIS SECTION
   38  SHALL BE BY THE PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU.
   39    (J) 1. IF AN OWNER RECEIVES A NOTICE OF  LIABILITY  PURSUANT  TO  THIS
   40  SECTION FOR ANY TIME PERIOD DURING WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS REPORTED TO THE
   41  POLICE  DEPARTMENT AS HAVING BEEN STOLEN, IT SHALL BE A VALID DEFENSE TO
   42  AN ALLEGATION OF LIABILITY FOR A VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF SECTION
   43  ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION THAT  THE
   44  VEHICLE  HAD BEEN REPORTED TO THE POLICE AS STOLEN PRIOR TO THE TIME THE
   45  VIOLATION OCCURRED AND HAD NOT BEEN RECOVERED BY SUCH TIME. FOR PURPOSES
   46  OF ASSERTING THE DEFENSE PROVIDED BY THIS SUBDIVISION IT SHALL BE SUFFI-
   47  CIENT THAT A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT ON THE  STOLEN  VEHICLE
   48  BE SENT BY FIRST CLASS MAIL TO THE PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU.
   49    2. IF AN OWNER RECEIVES A NOTICE OF LIABILITY PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION
   50  PERTAINING  TO AN ALLEGATION OF LIABILITY FOR A VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION
   51  (D) OF SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS  ARTICLE,  IT  SHALL  BE  A
   52  VALID DEFENSE TO SUCH ALLEGATION THAT THE OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE AT THE
   53  TIME OF SUCH ALLEGED VIOLATION WAS COMPELLED TO YIELD RIGHT-OF-WAY TO AN
   54  AUTHORIZED  EMERGENCY  VEHICLE  ENGAGED  IN  AN  EMERGENCY OPERATION, AS
   55  DEFINED IN SECTIONS ONE HUNDRED ONE AND ONE HUNDRED FOURTEEN-B,  RESPEC-
   56  TIVELY,  OF THIS CHAPTER. THE DEFENSE PROVIDED FOR IN THIS PARAGRAPH MAY
       S. 1240                            11
    1  BE ASSERTED BY THE OWNER IF PRIOR TO THE TIME TO PLEAD  OR  APPEAR  WITH
    2  RESPECT  TO  SUCH  VIOLATION,  THE OWNER SENDS TO THE PARKING VIOLATIONS
    3  BUREAU BY CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, A WRITTEN  NOTIFICA-
    4  TION  THAT  HE  OR  SHE INTENDS TO ASSERT SUCH DEFENSE. AFTER RECEIPT OF
    5  SUCH NOTIFICATION, THE MUNICIPALITY SHALL REVIEW THE PHOTOGRAPHS, MICRO-
    6  PHOTOGRAPHS, VIDEOTAPE OR OTHER RECORDED IMAGES AT ISSUE  IN  THE  CASE,
    7  AND SHALL ADVISE THE PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU WHETHER OR NOT THE NOTICE
    8  OF  LIABILITY  SHOULD  BE  WITHDRAWN. IF THE MUNICIPALITY FINDS THAT THE
    9  NOTICE OF LIABILITY SHOULD BE WITHDRAWN, THE CASE SHALL BE DISMISSED. IF
   10  THE CASE IS NOT DISMISSED, THE OWNER SHALL BE NOTIFIED OF SUCH  DETERMI-
   11  NATION  AND  SHALL  BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A HEARING, AT WHICH THE
   12  MUNICIPALITY SHALL MAKE  AVAILABLE  THE  PHOTOGRAPHS,  MICROPHOTOGRAPHS,
   13  VIDEOTAPE OR OTHER RECORDED IMAGES AT ISSUE IN THE CASE.
   14    (K) AN OWNER WHO IS A LESSOR OF A VEHICLE TO WHICH A NOTICE OF LIABIL-
   15  ITY  WAS ISSUED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (H) OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE
   16  LIABLE FOR THE VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF  SECTION  ELEVEN  HUNDRED
   17  ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE, PROVIDED THAT:
   18    1.  PRIOR  TO  THE  VIOLATION, THE LESSOR HAS FILED WITH THE BUREAU IN
   19  ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION  TWO  HUNDRED  THIRTY-NINE  OF
   20  THIS CHAPTER; AND
   21    2.  WITHIN THIRTY-SEVEN DAYS AFTER RECEIVING NOTICE FROM THE BUREAU OF
   22  THE DATE AND TIME OF A LIABILITY, TOGETHER WITH  THE  OTHER  INFORMATION
   23  CONTAINED IN THE ORIGINAL NOTICE OF LIABILITY, THE LESSOR SUBMITS TO THE
   24  BUREAU THE CORRECT NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE LESSEE OF THE VEHICLE IDENTI-
   25  FIED  IN THE NOTICE OF LIABILITY AT THE TIME OF SUCH VIOLATION, TOGETHER
   26  WITH SUCH OTHER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE RENTAL, LEASE OR
   27  OTHER CONTRACT DOCUMENT, AS MAY BE REASONABLY  REQUIRED  BY  THE  BUREAU
   28  PURSUANT TO REGULATIONS THAT MAY BE PROMULGATED FOR SUCH PURPOSE.
   29    (I)  FAILURE  TO  COMPLY  WITH PARAGRAPH TWO OF THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL
   30  RENDER THE OWNER LIABLE FOR THE PENALTY PRESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION.
   31    (II) WHERE THE LESSOR COMPLIES WITH THE PROVISIONS  OF  THIS  SUBDIVI-
   32  SION,  THE LESSEE OF SUCH VEHICLE ON THE DATE OF SUCH VIOLATION SHALL BE
   33  DEEMED TO BE THE OWNER OF SUCH VEHICLE FOR  PURPOSES  OF  THIS  SECTION,
   34  SHALL  BE  SUBJECT  TO  LIABILITY  FOR  SUCH  VIOLATION PURSUANT TO THIS
   35  SECTION AND SHALL BE SENT A NOTICE OF LIABILITY PURSUANT TO  SUBDIVISION
   36  (H) OF THIS SECTION.
   37    (L)  IF THE OWNER LIABLE FOR A VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF SECTION
   38  ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION  WAS  NOT
   39  THE  OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE VIOLATION, THE OWNER MAY
   40  MAINTAIN AN ACTION FOR INDEMNIFICATION AGAINST THE OPERATOR.
   41    (M) NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO LIMIT THE  LIABILITY
   42  OF  AN  OPERATOR  OF  A  VEHICLE FOR ANY VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF
   43  SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE.
   44    S 22. Subdivision 1 of section 1809 of the vehicle and traffic law, as
   45  amended by section 2 of part DD of chapter 56 of the laws  of  2008,  is
   46  amended to read as follows:
   47    1.  Whenever  proceedings  in an administrative tribunal or a court of
   48  this state result in a conviction for an offense under this chapter or a
   49  traffic infraction under this chapter, or a local law,  ordinance,  rule
   50  or  regulation  adopted  pursuant  to this chapter, other than a traffic
   51  infraction involving standing, stopping, or  parking  or  violations  by
   52  pedestrians or bicyclists, or other than an adjudication of liability of
   53  an  owner  for  a violation of subdivision (d) of section eleven hundred
   54  eleven of  this  chapter  in  accordance  with  section  eleven  hundred
   55  eleven-a  OR  ELEVEN  HUNDRED  ELEVEN-B  of this chapter, there shall be
   56  levied a crime victim assistance fee and a mandatory surcharge, in addi-
       S. 1240                            12
    1  tion to any sentence required or permitted by law,  in  accordance  with
    2  the following schedule:
    3    (a)  Whenever  proceedings in an administrative tribunal or a court of
    4  this state result in a conviction for a traffic infraction  pursuant  to
    5  article  nine  of  this  chapter,  there  shall be levied a crime victim
    6  assistance fee in the amount of five dollars and a mandatory  surcharge,
    7  in  addition to any sentence required or permitted by law, in the amount
    8  of twenty-five dollars.
    9    (b) Whenever proceedings in an administrative tribunal or a  court  of
   10  this  state  result in a conviction for a misdemeanor or felony pursuant
   11  to section eleven hundred ninety-two of this  chapter,  there  shall  be
   12  levied,  in  addition  to  any  sentence required or permitted by law, a
   13  crime victim assistance fee in the amount of twenty-five dollars  and  a
   14  mandatory surcharge in accordance with the following schedule:
   15    (i)  a person convicted of a felony shall pay a mandatory surcharge of
   16  three hundred dollars;
   17    (ii) a person  convicted  of  a  misdemeanor  shall  pay  a  mandatory
   18  surcharge of one hundred seventy-five dollars.
   19    (c)  Whenever  proceedings in an administrative tribunal or a court of
   20  this state result in a conviction for  an  offense  under  this  chapter
   21  other than a crime pursuant to section eleven hundred ninety-two of this
   22  chapter,  or  a  traffic  infraction under this chapter, or a local law,
   23  ordinance, rule or regulation adopted pursuant to  this  chapter,  other
   24  than  a  traffic  infraction involving standing, stopping, or parking or
   25  violations by pedestrians or bicyclists, or other than  an  adjudication
   26  of  liability  of an owner for a violation of subdivision (d) of section
   27  eleven hundred eleven of this chapter in accordance with section  eleven
   28  hundred  eleven-a  OR  ELEVEN  HUNDRED ELEVEN-B of this chapter or other
   29  than an infraction pursuant to article nine of  this  chapter  or  other
   30  than  an  adjudication  of liability of an owner for a violation of toll
   31  collection regulations pursuant to section  two  thousand  nine  hundred
   32  eighty-five  of  the  public  authorities  law  or  sections  sixteen-a,
   33  sixteen-b and sixteen-c of chapter seven  hundred  seventy-four  of  the
   34  laws  of  nineteen  hundred  fifty, there shall be levied a crime victim
   35  assistance fee in the amount of five dollars and a mandatory  surcharge,
   36  in  addition to any sentence required or permitted by law, in the amount
   37  of fifty-five dollars.
   38    S 23. Subdivision 1 of section 371 of the general  municipal  law,  as
   39  amended  by  chapter  496  of  the  laws  of 1990, is amended to read as
   40  follows:
   41    1. A traffic violations bureau so established  may  be  authorized  to
   42  dispose of violations of traffic laws, ordinances, rules and regulations
   43  when  such offenses shall not constitute the traffic infraction known as
   44  speeding or a misdemeanor or felony, and, if authorized by local law  or
   45  ordinance,  to  adjudicate  the  liability  of  owners for violations of
   46  subdivision (d) of section eleven hundred  eleven  of  the  vehicle  and
   47  traffic law in accordance with section eleven hundred eleven-a OR ELEVEN
   48  HUNDRED ELEVEN-B of such law.
   49    S  24. Section 371 of the general municipal law, as amended by chapter
   50  802 of the laws of 1949, is amended to read as follows:
   51    S 371. Jurisdiction and procedure.  A  traffic  violations  bureau  so
   52  established  may be authorized to dispose of violations of traffic laws,
   53  ordinances, rules and regulations when such offenses shall  not  consti-
   54  tute  the traffic infraction known as speeding or a misdemeanor or felo-
   55  ny, AND, IF AUTHORIZED BY LOCAL LAW  OR  ORDINANCE,  TO  ADJUDICATE  THE
   56  LIABILITY  OF OWNERS FOR VIOLATIONS OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF SECTION ELEVEN
       S. 1240                            13
    1  HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION
    2  ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN-B OF SUCH LAW, by permitting a person charged with
    3  an offense within the limitations herein stated,  to  answer,  within  a
    4  specified time, at the traffic violations bureau, either in person or by
    5  written power of attorney in such form as may be prescribed in the ordi-
    6  nance  creating the bureau, by paying a prescribed fine and, in writing,
    7  waiving a hearing in court, pleading guilty to the charge  OR  ADMITTING
    8  LIABILITY  AS  AN  OWNER FOR THE VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF SECTION
    9  ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW, AS  THE  CASE  MAY
   10  BE,  and  authorizing  the person in charge of the bureau to make such a
   11  plea OR ADMISSION and pay such a fine  in  court.    Acceptance  of  the
   12  prescribed  fine  and  power  of  attorney by the bureau shall be deemed
   13  complete satisfaction for the violation OR OF  THE  LIABILITY,  and  the
   14  violator  OR  OWNER LIABLE FOR A VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF SECTION
   15  ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW shall  be  given  a
   16  receipt  which  so  states. If a person charged with a traffic violation
   17  does not answer as hereinbefore prescribed, within  a  designated  time,
   18  the  bureau  shall  cause  a  complaint to be entered against him OR HER
   19  forthwith and a warrant to be issued for his OR HER arrest  and  appear-
   20  ance  before  the  court.  Any  person  who  shall have been, within the
   21  preceding twelve months, guilty of a number  of  parking  violations  in
   22  excess  of  such maximum number as may be designated by the court, or of
   23  three or more violations other than parking  violations,  shall  not  be
   24  permitted  to appear and answer to a subsequent violation at the traffic
   25  violations bureau, but must appear in court at a time specified  by  the
   26  bureau.  Such  traffic  violations  bureau  shall  not  be authorized to
   27  deprive a person of his OR HER right to counsel or to prevent him OR HER
   28  from exercising his OR HER right  to  appear  in  court  to  answer  to,
   29  explain,  or  defend any charge of a violation of any traffic law, ordi-
   30  nance, rule or regulation.
   31    S 25. Subdivision 2 of section  87  of  the  public  officers  law  is
   32  amended by adding a new paragraph (k) to read as follows:
   33    (K)  ARE  PHOTOGRAPHS,  MICROPHOTOGRAPHS,  VIDEOTAPE OR OTHER RECORDED
   34  IMAGES PREPARED UNDER AUTHORITY OF SECTION ELEVEN  HUNDRED  ELEVEN-B  OF
   35  THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW.
   36    S  26.  The  purchase  or lease of equipment for a program established
   37  pursuant to section 1111-b of the  vehicle  and  traffic  law  shall  be
   38  subject to the provisions of section 103 of the general municipal law.
   39    S 27. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however that:
   40    (a)  the amendments to subdivision 1 of section 235 of the vehicle and
   41  traffic law made by section one of this act  shall  be  subject  to  the
   42  expiration  and reversion of such subdivision pursuant to section 406 of
   43  chapter 166 of the laws of 1991, as amended, when  upon  such  date  the
   44  provisions of section two of this act shall take effect;
   45    (b)  the amendments to section 235 of the vehicle and traffic law made
   46  by section two of this act shall be subject to the expiration and rever-
   47  sion of such section pursuant to section 17 of chapter 746 of  the  laws
   48  of 1988, as amended, when upon such date the provisions of section three
   49  of this act shall take effect;
   50    (c)  the amendments to subdivision 1 of section 236 of the vehicle and
   51  traffic law made by section four of this act shall  be  subject  to  the
   52  expiration  and  reversion of such subdivision pursuant to section 17 of
   53  chapter 746 of the laws of 1988, as amended, when  upon  such  date  the
   54  provisions of section five of this act shall take effect;
   55    (d) the amendments to subdivision 10 of section 237 of the vehicle and
   56  traffic  law  made  by  section  six of this act shall be subject to the
       S. 1240                            14
    1  repeal of such subdivision pursuant to section 17 of chapter 746 of  the
    2  laws  of 1988, as amended, when upon such date the provisions of section
    3  seven of this act shall take effect;
    4    (e)  the  amendments to paragraph f of subdivision 1 of section 239 of
    5  the vehicle and traffic law made by section eight of this act  shall  be
    6  subject  to  the  expiration and reversion of such paragraph pursuant to
    7  section 17 of chapter 746 of the laws of 1988,  as  amended,  when  upon
    8  such date the provisions of section nine of this act shall take effect;
    9    (f)  the amendments to subdivision 1 of section 240 of the vehicle and
   10  traffic law made by section eleven of this act shall be subject  to  the
   11  expiration  and  reversion of such subdivision pursuant to section 17 of
   12  chapter 746 of the laws of 1988, as amended, when  upon  such  date  the
   13  provisions of section twelve of this act shall take effect;
   14    (g)  the  amendments  to subdivision 1-a of section 240 of the vehicle
   15  and traffic law made by section thirteen of this act shall be subject to
   16  the expiration and reversion of such subdivision pursuant to section  17
   17  of  chapter 746 of the laws of 1988, as amended, when upon such date the
   18  provisions of section fourteen of this act shall take effect;
   19    (h) the amendments to paragraphs a and g of subdivision 2  of  section
   20  240  of  the vehicle and traffic law made by section fifteen of this act
   21  shall be subject to the expiration  and  reversion  of  such  paragraphs
   22  pursuant  to  section 17 of chapter 746 of the laws of 1988, as amended,
   23  when upon such date the provisions of section sixteen of this act  shall
   24  take effect;
   25    (i) the amendments to subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 241 of the vehi-
   26  cle  and  traffic  law  made  by  section seventeen of this act shall be
   27  subject to the expiration and reversion of such subdivisions pursuant to
   28  section 17 of chapter 746 of the laws of 1988,  as  amended,  when  upon
   29  such  date  the  provisions  of  section eighteen of this act shall take
   30  effect;
   31    (j) the amendments to paragraph a of subdivision 5-a of section 401 of
   32  the vehicle and traffic law made by section nineteen of this  act  shall
   33  be subject to the expiration and reversion of such paragraph pursuant to
   34  section  17  of  chapter  746 of the laws of 1988, as amended, when upon
   35  such date the provisions of  section  twenty  of  this  act  shall  take
   36  effect;
   37    (k)  the amendments made to subdivision 1 of section 1809 of the vehi-
   38  cle and traffic law made by section twenty-two of  this  act  shall  not
   39  affect  the expiration of such subdivision and shall be deemed to expire
   40  therewith; and
   41    (l) the amendments to subdivision 1 of  section  371  of  the  general
   42  municipal  law made by section twenty-three of this act shall be subject
   43  to the expiration and reversion of such subdivision pursuant to  section
   44  17  of  chapter 746 of the laws of 1988, as amended, when upon such date
   45  the provisions of section twenty-four of this act shall take effect.
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