S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  8847

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            February 25, 2014
                               ___________

Introduced by M. of A. CUSICK -- read once and referred 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:

  Section 1. Legislative intent. It is the intent of the legislature  to
provide  a  mechanism  to  enhance recognition for fallen members of the
state police who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the line of  duty.
It  shall be the charge of the task force created by this act to develop
a procedure for recognition of these dedicated men and  women.  Further-
more,  this  act  is  intended  to define safe and acceptable methods of
placing memorials along the highways of this  state  that  appropriately
pay tribute to their service and preserve their memory forever.
  S  2. The highway law is amended by adding a new section 340-e to read
as follows:
  S 340-E. STATE TROOPER HIGHWAY  MEMORIAL  TASK  FORCE.  1.  THE  STATE
TROOPER HIGHWAY MEMORIAL TASK FORCE IS HEREBY CREATED TO BE COMPRISED OF
THE  COMMISSIONER  OR  HIS  OR HER DESIGNEE, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STATE
POLICE OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE, AND A MEMBER  OF  THE  POLICE  BENEVOLENT
ASSOCIATION OF THE NEW YORK STATE TROOPERS, INC.
  2.  WITHIN NINETY DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, THE TASK
FORCE SHALL DEVELOP AND ESTABLISH GUIDELINES FOR RECOGNITION OF  MEMBERS
OF  THE DIVISION OF STATE POLICE WHO HAVE DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. SUCH
RECOGNITION MAY BE IN THE FORM OF THE DEDICATION OF A PORTION OF A STATE
HIGHWAY AND/OR THE PLACEMENT OF A MEMORIAL  PLAQUE  OR  MARKER  ALONG  A
STATE  HIGHWAY.  ANY  PLACEMENT  OF  A MEMORIAL PLAQUE OR MARKER ALONG A
STATE HIGHWAY SHALL BE APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER TO ENSURE  THE  SAFE
AND EFFECTIVE TRAFFIC FLOW ALONG HIGHWAYS IN THIS STATE.
  3.  ANY  PERSON  MAY SUBMIT TO THE STATE TROOPER HIGHWAY MEMORIAL TASK
FORCE, IN WRITING, A PETITION SEEKING  RECOGNITION  OF  MEMBERS  OF  THE
DIVISION OF STATE POLICE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES IN THE LINE OF DUTY.
SUCH  PETITION SHALL BE IN SUCH FORM AND CONTAIN SUCH INFORMATION AS THE
TASK FORCE MAY REQUIRE. UPON THE RECEIPT OF A PETITION  THE  TASK  FORCE

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                           LBD11701-02-4

A. 8847                             2

SHALL  CONSIDER  THE  REQUEST AND ADVISE THE APPLICANT, IN WRITING, OF A
DECISION ON ANY ACTION TO BE TAKEN WITHIN SIXTY DAYS OF THE  RECEIPT  OF
SUCH PETITION. UPON THE ACCEPTANCE OF ANY PETITION, THE TASK FORCE SHALL
DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE FORM AND LOCATION OF THE MEMORIAL TO BE IMPLE-
MENTED.
  S  3. The commissioner of transportation shall provide for the instal-
lation and maintenance of adequate memorial plaques, markers  and  signs
along  the  state highway system as designated pursuant to section 340-e
of the highway law, as added by section two of this act; provided  that,
to avoid any confusion and to limit any possible disruption of commerce,
any  designation  called  for pursuant to such section shall be one of a
ceremonial nature and the official name of such  highway  shall  not  be
changed as a result of this act.
  S 4. This act shall take effect immediately.