S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   4049
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             January 31, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M.  of  A.  CUNNINGHAM  -- read once and referred to the
   Committee on Transportation
 
 AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law,  in  relation  to  a  pilot
   program  for  the use of digital license plates; and providing for the
   repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  Section  402 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by
 adding a new subdivision 9 to read as follows:
   9. (A) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL INSTITUTE A PILOT PROGRAM TO PERMIT  THE
 OWNER OF A REGISTERED MOTOR VEHICLE TO DISPLAY A DIGITAL NUMBER PLATE IN
 LIEU OF ONE OR BOTH OF THE PLATES ISSUED UNDER THIS SECTION.
   (B)  THE  COMMISSIONER,  IN  CONSULTATION  WITH  THE DIVISION OF STATE
 POLICE, SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS FOR THE USE OF  DIGITAL  NUMBER  PLATES.
 SUCH REGULATIONS NEED NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION AS
 TO  FORM  OF  PLATES BUT SHALL: (I) SET STANDARDS NECESSARY FOR THE SAFE
 USE OF DIGITAL NUMBER PLATES; (II) ESTABLISH  REQUIREMENTS  FOR  PRODUCT
 OVERSIGHT AND CONSUMER SUPPORT; (III) ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR PRODUCT
 SIZE,  DESIGN,  DISPLAY, AND FUNCTIONALITY; (IV) ESTABLISH A PROCESS FOR
 APPROVAL OF DIGITAL NUMBER PLATES PRODUCTS FOR STATEWIDE  USE;  (V)  SET
 PROTOCOLS  FOR  DATA  SHARING, PRIVACY, AND SECURITY; (VI) ESTABLISH THE
 TYPES OF NUMBER PLATES THAT  ARE  ELIGIBLE  TO  USE  AS  DIGITAL  NUMBER
 PLATES;  AND  (VII)  SET  REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPANIES THAT SELL
 DIGITAL NUMBER PLATES TO THE PUBLIC.
   (C) THE REGISTRATION NUMBER AND EXPIRATION DATE SHALL BE CLEARLY VISI-
 BLE AT A DISTANCE OF ONE HUNDRED FEET IN NORMAL SUNLIGHT.
   (D) DIGITAL NUMBER PLATES NEED NOT DISPLAY MORE THAN ONE COLOR.
   (E) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION "DIGITAL NUMBER PLATE"  MEANS
 AN  ELECTRONIC  DISPLAY  THAT IS MOUNTED ON A MOTOR VEHICLE IN THE PLACE
 OF, AND THAT SERVES THE FUNCTION  OF,  A  NUMBER  PLATE  ISSUED  BY  THE
 DEPARTMENT UNDER THIS SECTION.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD04040-01-5
              

 A. 4049                             2
 
   §  2.  The commissioner of motor vehicles shall review the implementa-
 tion of the pilot program authorizing the use of digital  plates  within
 one year after the effective date of this act. Such review shall include
 comments and recommendations solicited from the division of state police
 and  other  law  enforcement  agencies. Within eighteen months after the
 effective date of this act the commissioner shall prepare a report based
 on the review and submit the report to the legislature.
   § 3. This act shall take effect immediately and shall  expire  and  be
 deemed repealed two years after such effective date.