BILL NUMBER: S8790

SPONSOR: WEIK
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the highway law, in relation to designating a portion of
the state highway system as "Surf Legend Charlie Bunger Sr. Way"

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

Designates a portion of the state highway system as "Surf Legend Charlie
Bunger Sr. Way".

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1. The highway law is amended by adding a new section 344-o to
read as follows:

§ 344-o. Portion of state highway system to be designated as "Surf
Legend Charlie Bunger Sr. Way". The portion of Montauk Highway between
Deer Park Avenue and Totten Place in the town of Babylon, county of
Suffolk shall be designated and known as "Surf Legend Charlie Bunger Sr.
              

Way".

§ 2. The commissioner of transportation shall provide for the installa-
tion and maintenance of adequate signing of the state highway system as
designated pursuant to section one of this act. However, to avoid
confusion and to limit any possible disruption of commerce, the desig-
nation called for pursuant to section one of this act shall be one of
ceremonial nature and the official name of such highway shall not be
changed as a result of this act.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Local businesses such as the legendary Hunger Surf Shop are the backbone
of our economy. Charlie Bunger Sr. began making surf boards at the age
of 20 in his basement, as word got out about his craftsmanship, orders
for his surfboards began to increase. In 1962 Charlie moved Bunger Surf-
boards into a 2,000 square foot building in Lindenhurst and opened his
first retail store in Copiague. Today, Bunger Surfboards has 4,000
square feet of retail space in Babylon Village, New York and operates a
2,000 square foot manufacturing facility in West Babylon. The Bunger
name is synonymous with surfboards up and down the east coast and around
the world. Charlie is an inaugural member of the East Coast Surf Legends
Hall of Fame, and a member of the International Surfboard Builders Hall
of Fame and the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame. Although Charlie passed
away in 2018, his legacy lives on. The Bunger Surf Shop in Babylon
Village is recognized as one of the premier shops for surfing goods in
the world and remains the oldest surf company store in North America
among shops that have never changed ownership or location. The Bunger
Surf Shop remains a successful family operated business, and in addition
to surfboards, continues to provide surf lessons and camps to children
and adults.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.