Section 1.
Legislative intent.
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County
of Suffolk has enacted local laws which authorize the seizure and
forfeiture of motor vehicles when a driver is unlicensed, intoxicated
or engaged in an unlawful speed contest.
This Legislature further determines that the Suffolk County
Police District may charge reasonable and customary towing, maintenance
and storage fees when it seizes a vehicle. However, when a law enforcement
agency outside the Police District seizes a vehicle pursuant to the
above described local laws, that entity may receive a maximum reimbursement
of $200 from forfeiture proceeds, even if their actual towing and
storage costs are much higher.
This Legislature also finds that authorizing towns and villages
to receive a higher rate of reimbursement for storage and towing costs
is more equitable and will encourage stronger enforcement of the County's
seizure and forfeiture laws in areas of the County outside the Police
District.
Therefore, the purpose of this law is to increase the maximum
reimbursement for towing and storage costs incurred by outside law
enforcement agencies from $200 to $300.
Section 3.
Applicability.
This law shall apply to all property seized by an outside law
enforcement agency occurring on or after the effective date of this
law.
Section 1.
Legislative intent.
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that New York State
authorized a red light camera demonstration program for Suffolk County
in 2009.
This Legislature also finds and determines that the demonstration
program was limited to red light cameras at 50 intersections throughout
the County.
This Legislature further finds and determines that the State
of New York authorized red light cameras at additional intersections
as part of the County's program in the 2012-2013 budget.
This Legislature finds that the County must amend its existing
law establishing the program to authorize the use of red light cameras
at additional intersections.
Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Chapter 818 of the Suffolk County Code to increase the number of cameras in the County traffic control monitoring system.
Section 3.
Applicability.
This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the
effective date of this law.
Section 1.
Legislative intent.
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Local Law
No. 9-2013 established the Suffolk County Traffic and Violations Agency
to aid in the disposition and administration of traffic and parking
violations.
This Legislature also finds and determines that Local Law No.
38-2013 codified the administrative fee structure associated with
violations and infractions that come before the Traffic and Parking
Violations Agency.
This Legislature further finds and determines that Local Law
No. 38-2013 is silent on the application of administrative fees to
violations and infractions that are dismissed by the Agency; presently,
the Agency is assessing a $50 surcharge on tickets that are dismissed.
This Legislature finds that individuals whose cases are dismissed
or who are found not guilty following a hearing should not be charged
an administrative fee.
This Legislature determines that Local Law No. 38-2013 should
be clarified to ensure that members of the public are not charged
fees by the Traffic and Violations Agency when they are found not
to have violated the law.
Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Local Law No.
38-2013 to ensure that only parties found guilty of traffic or parking
violations will pay administrative fees and to amend the existing
fee structure to make this law revenue neutral.
Section 3.
Applicability.
This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the
effective date of this law.
Section 1.
Legislative intent.
This Legislature finds and determines that Local law No. 38-2013,
as amended by Local Law No. 6-2013 (Resolution No. 1230-2013), codified
a fee structure associated with violations and infractions that come
before the Traffic and Parking Violations Agency.
This Legislature further finds that, after assessment of the
operations and the functions of the Traffic and Parking Violations
Agency and a review of similar operations and related administrative
fees in other jurisdictions, the fee schedule relating to administrative
matters handled by the Traffic and Parking Violations Agency requires
expansion.
Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend § 818-78 of the Suffolk County Code to apply fees for various administrative matters handled by the Traffic and Parking Violations Agency.
Section 1.
Legislative Intent.
This Legislature hereby finds that Article VII of Chapter 818 of the Suffolk County Code established a red light camera demonstration program in Suffolk County through December 1, 2014, consistent with the authorizing state legislation adopted through Chapter 23 of the Laws of 2009.
This Legislature further finds that the authorizing state legislation
has recently been amended pursuant to Chapter 127 of the laws of 2014,
to authorize the red light camera demonstration program in Suffolk
County to be extended until December 1, 2019.
Section 3.
Applicability.
This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the
effective date of this law.
See Unconsolidated Local Law Provisions included at the end
of the Charter.
Section 1.
Legislative Intent.
This Legislature hereby finds that Article VII of Chapter 818 of the Suffolk County Code shall expire on December 1, 2019, unless it is extended by the enactment of another local law pursuant to state authorization.
This Legislature further finds that the required state authorization
has been obtained.
Section 3.
Applicability.
This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the
effective date of this law.
Section 1.
Legislative Intent.
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that it is the
duty of Suffolk County to protect the health, safety, and welfare
of its residents.
This Legislature also finds and determines that many Suffolk
County residents ride bicycles for exercise, recreation, or as a primary
mode of transport.
This Legislature further finds and determines that when riding
on roads, cyclists are vulnerable to the actions of motor vehicle
operators.
This Legislature determines that vehicles passing bicyclists
pose a threat to the health and safety of these bicyclists if passing
too closely or from the right side of the road.
This Legislature also finds that a minimum passing distance
should be established to protect bicyclists in Suffolk County and
penalize those who disregard the safety of these vulnerable road users.
Therefore, the purpose of this law is to establish regulations
to protect the health and safety of bicyclists in Suffolk County.
Section 4.
Applicability.
This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the
effective date of this law.
Section 1.
Legislative Intent.
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that for more than
two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third
of all motor vehicle fatalities.
This Legislature also finds that motor vehicle accidents are
among the leading causes of death for people between the ages of 1
and 54.
This Legislature further finds and determines that nationwide
statistics show that nearly 50 people in every 1,000 who are involved
in illegal auto racing will be seriously injured in auto racing accidents.
This Legislature also finds and determines that illegal demonstrations
involving various vehicle stunts, often called sideshows or takeovers,
have recently gained popularity in social media and often put the
participants and spectators at great risk of severe physical injury
and death.
This Legislature finds and determines that illegal vehicle sideshows,
contests, street racing, and related stunt behavior, besides being
very dangerous to persons and property, also cause excessive noise
usually during night hours which creates a nuisance to residents who
live and sleep in the neighboring areas.
This Legislature also finds that the penalties currently in
place for illegal vehicle sideshows, contests, street racing and related
stunt behavior do not adequately serve to deter individuals from participating
in these types of events.
Therefore, the purpose of this article is to protect the lives
of Suffolk County residents by amending and enlarging laws and penalties
to also deter illegal vehicle sideshows, exhibitions and contests
along with expanding and strengthening the penalties associated in
unlawful speed contests and races.
Section 1.
Legislative intent.
This Legislature hereby finds and determines New York State
has implemented a Traffic-Control Signal Photo Violation-Monitoring
System demonstration program, also known as the "Red Light Camera"
or "Red Light Safety Program," that involves vehicle photography sensors
installed to work in conjunction with traffic control signals that
operate when vehicles are detected to be in violation of § 1111(d)
of the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law ("VTL").
This Legislature also finds that in a signed Decision and Order
dated April 7, 2020, and filed on April 28, 2020, the Supreme Court
of the State of New York I.A.S. Part 30, of Suffolk County, determined
as a matter of law that the imposition of monetary liability penalties
in excess of $50, or $75 with the $25 statutory authorized late fee
applied, for vehicle owners issued a red light camera violation through
the Red Light Safety Program, to be void, following the plain meaning
of this legislation.
This Legislature further finds that this Decision and Order
of the Court further enjoined the Suffolk County Traffic and Parking
Violation Agency from collecting any fines, penalties, or fees under
its Red-Light Safety Program beyond that provided for in VTL § 1111-b(e).
Therefore, the purpose of this law is to repeal the further
collection of a $30 administration fee for red light tickets chained
and to further codify that the maximum fee for tickets issued from
the Red Light Camera Program be limited at $50, or at $75 if the $25
statutory authorized late fee applies.
Section 3.
Applicability.
This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the
effective date of this law.
Section 1.
Legislative intent.
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that this Legislature
previously adopted Local Law No. 32-2022 to strengthen penalties and
prohibit illegal demonstrations involving sideshows, speed contests,
street racing, and related stunt behavior, which pose a health risk
and nuisance to the residents of the County of Suffolk.
This Legislature further finds and determines that the provisions
contained herein are necessary for the County to successfully enforce
and carry out the intent of Local Law No. 32-2022.
Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to further strengthen
penalties against unlawful speed contests, sideshows, races, and related
stunt behavior.
