Hearing on limo safety in works
New regulations added to state budget spur questions
New York lawmakers are moving forward with plans to conduct a hearing addressing limousine safety following the inclusion of new regulations in the recently enacted state budget.
State Sen. Tim Kennedy, a Buffalo Democrat who chairs the chamber’s transportation committee, is taking steps to convene the hearing in the Capital Region, according to his office.
Concerns about limousine safety emerged following the October crash of a stretch limousine in Schoharie that killed 20 people.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled new precautions in his state budget, including a ban on stretch limousines that was subsequently dropped from the final budget deal. State lawmakers did sign off on a new $85 state inspection fee, tougher penalties for illegal limo operators who circumvent state oversight, and broad powers to remove license plates from stretch limousines that fail inspections or do not have state certification to operate.
Kennedy’s spokesman, Adam Fogel, said the families of the victims of the Schoharie crash and industry interests “would like to see more conversation” on limousine safety.
“They understand there
were some elements included in the budget, and we’re committed to doing more,” Fogel said.
The budget resolution approved in March by Senate Democrats initially rejected the governor’s safety proposals, saying they should first be discussed in a “hearing to incorporate stakeholders’ input to ensure that passenger motor carrier safety is properly regulated while enabling the industry to function.”
Upstate limousine operators are wary of the new $85 fee tied to semi-annual state inspections, and warn about the potential for insurance carriers to increase premiums out of fear they will run afoul of the new regulations.
Fogel added that the hearing will also touch on Cuomo’s proposal requiring adults to wear seat belts in the rear of cars. The language advanced by the governor was removed from the final budget agreement, but Kennedy backs the requirement. A time and location has not been set for the future hearing.