Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official source posted by the New York State Senate, fetched 2026-08-11. Nothing is edited or removed. Where this bill amends existing law, language marked for deletion in the official source appears here in brackets. The official bill page.
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
9864
I N S E N A T E
April 9, 2026
___________
Introduced by Sen. SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the public officers law,
in relation to adjudications and owner liability for a violation of
traffic-control signal indications in the town of Palm Tree; 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. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new
section 1111-j to read as follows:
§ 1111-J. OWNER LIABILITY FOR FAILURE OF OPERATOR TO COMPLY WITH
TRAFFIC-CONTROL INDICATIONS; TOWN OF PALM TREE. (A) 1. NOTWITHSTANDING
ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THE TOWN OF PALM TREE IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED
AND EMPOWERED TO ADOPT AND AMEND A LOCAL LAW OR ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A
DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM IMPOSING MONETARY LIABILITY ON THE OWNER OF A
VEHICLE FOR FAILURE OF AN OPERATOR THEREOF TO COMPLY WITH TRAFFIC-CON-
TROL INDICATIONS IN SUCH TOWN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
SECTION. SUCH DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM SHALL EMPOWER SUCH TOWN TO INSTALL
AND OPERATE TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL PHOTO VIOLATION-MONITORING DEVICES AT
TWO INTERSECTIONS, ONE LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF FOREST ROAD AND
VAN BUREN DRIVE AND ANOTHER LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF BAKERSTOWN
ROAD, DINEV ROAD AND ISRAEL ZUPNIK DRIVE, UPON APPROVAL IN WRITING
OBTAINED BY SUCH TOWN FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, PROVIDED
THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MAY AT ANY TIME RESCIND OR MODIFY
SUCH APPROVAL.
2. SUCH DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM SHALL UTILIZE NECESSARY TECHNOLOGIES TO
ENSURE, TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, THAT PHOTOGRAPHS PRODUCED BY SUCH
TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL PHOTO VIOLATION-MONITORING SYSTEMS SHALL NOT
INCLUDE IMAGES THAT IDENTIFY THE DRIVER, THE PASSENGERS, OR THE CONTENTS
OF THE VEHICLE. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT NO NOTICE OF LIABILITY ISSUED
PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE DISMISSED SOLELY BECAUSE A PHOTOGRAPH
OR PHOTOGRAPHS ALLOW FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE CONTENTS OF A VEHI-
CLE, PROVIDED THAT SUCH TOWN HAS MADE A REASONABLE EFFORT TO COMPLY WITH
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15420-01-6
S. 9864 2
(B) IN ANY SUCH TOWN WHICH HAS ADOPTED A LOCAL LAW OR ORDINANCE PURSU-
ANT TO SUBDIVISION (A) OF THIS SECTION, THE OWNER OF A VEHICLE SHALL BE
LIABLE FOR A PENALTY IMPOSED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION IF SUCH VEHICLE
WAS USED OR OPERATED WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE OWNER, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, IN VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEV-
EN OF THIS ARTICLE, AND SUCH VIOLATION IS EVIDENCED BY INFORMATION
OBTAINED FROM A TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL PHOTO VIOLATION-MONITORING
SYSTEM; PROVIDED HOWEVER THAT NO OWNER OF A VEHICLE SHALL BE LIABLE FOR
A PENALTY IMPOSED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION WHERE THE OPERATOR OF SUCH
VEHICLE HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF THE UNDERLYING VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION
(D) OF SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE.
(C) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "OWNER" SHALL HAVE THE MEANING
PROVIDED IN ARTICLE TWO-B OF THIS CHAPTER. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION,
"TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL PHOTO VIOLATION-MONITORING SYSTEM" SHALL MEAN A
VEHICLE SENSOR INSTALLED TO WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH A TRAFFIC-CONTROL
SIGNAL WHICH AUTOMATICALLY PRODUCES TWO OR MORE PHOTOGRAPHS, TWO OR MORE
MICROPHOTOGRAPHS, A VIDEOTAPE OR OTHER RECORDED IMAGES OF EACH VEHICLE
AT THE TIME IT IS USED OR OPERATED IN VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF
SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE.
(D) A CERTIFICATE, SWORN TO OR AFFIRMED BY A TECHNICIAN EMPLOYED BY
THE TOWN OF PALM TREE IN WHICH THE CHARGED VIOLATION OCCURRED, OR A
FACSIMILE THEREOF, BASED UPON INSPECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS, MICROPHOTO-
GRAPHS, VIDEOTAPE OR OTHER RECORDED IMAGES PRODUCED BY A TRAFFIC-CONTROL
SIGNAL PHOTO VIOLATION-MONITORING SYSTEM, SHALL BE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE
OF THE FACTS CONTAINED THEREIN. ANY PHOTOGRAPHS, MICROPHOTOGRAPHS, VIDE-
OTAPE OR OTHER RECORDED IMAGES EVIDENCING SUCH A VIOLATION SHALL BE
AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IN ANY PROCEEDING TO ADJUDICATE THE LIABILITY
FOR SUCH VIOLATION PURSUANT TO A LOCAL LAW OR ORDINANCE ADOPTED PURSUANT
TO THIS SECTION.
(E) AN OWNER LIABLE FOR A VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF SECTION
ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE PURSUANT TO A LOCAL LAW OR ORDI-
NANCE ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE LIABLE FOR MONETARY
PENALTIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH A SCHEDULE OF FINES AND PENALTIES TO BE SET
FORTH IN SUCH LOCAL LAW OR ORDINANCE. THE LIABILITY OF THE OWNER PURSU-
ANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL NOT EXCEED FIFTY DOLLARS FOR EACH VIOLATION;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH LOCAL LAW OR ORDINANCE MAY PROVIDE FOR AN
ADDITIONAL PENALTY NOT IN EXCESS OF TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS FOR EACH
VIOLATION FOR THE FAILURE TO RESPOND TO A NOTICE OF LIABILITY WITHIN THE
PRESCRIBED TIME PERIOD.
(F) AN IMPOSITION OF LIABILITY UNDER A LOCAL LAW OR ORDINANCE ADOPTED
PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE DEEMED A CONVICTION AS AN OPERATOR
AND SHALL NOT BE MADE PART OF THE OPERATING RECORD OF THE PERSON UPON
WHOM SUCH LIABILITY IS IMPOSED NOR SHALL IT BE USED FOR INSURANCE
PURPOSES IN THE PROVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE COVERAGE.
(G) 1. A NOTICE OF LIABILITY SHALL BE SENT BY FIRST CLASS MAIL TO EACH
PERSON ALLEGED TO BE LIABLE AS AN OWNER FOR A VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION
(D) OF SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION. PERSONAL DELIVERY ON THE OWNER SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED. A MANUAL
OR AUTOMATIC RECORD OF MAILING PREPARED IN THE ORDINARY COURSE OF BUSI-
NESS SHALL BE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF THE FACTS CONTAINED THEREIN.
2. A NOTICE OF LIABILITY SHALL CONTAIN THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE
PERSON ALLEGED TO BE LIABLE AS AN OWNER FOR A VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION
(D) OF SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION, THE REGISTRATION NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE INVOLVED IN SUCH
VIOLATION, THE LOCATION WHERE SUCH VIOLATION TOOK PLACE, THE DATE AND
S. 9864 3
TIME OF SUCH VIOLATION AND THE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER OF THE CAMERA WHICH
RECORDED THE VIOLATION OR OTHER DOCUMENT LOCATOR NUMBER.
3. THE NOTICE OF LIABILITY SHALL CONTAIN INFORMATION ADVISING THE
PERSON CHARGED OF THE MANNER AND THE TIME IN WHICH SUCH PERSON MAY
CONTEST THE LIABILITY ALLEGED IN THE NOTICE. SUCH NOTICE OF LIABILITY
SHALL ALSO CONTAIN A WARNING TO ADVISE THE PERSONS CHARGED THAT FAILURE
TO CONTEST IN THE MANNER AND TIME PROVIDED SHALL BE DEEMED AN ADMISSION
OF LIABILITY AND THAT A DEFAULT JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED THEREON.
4. THE NOTICE OF LIABILITY SHALL BE PREPARED AND MAILED BY THE TOWN OF
PALM TREE OR BY ANY OTHER ENTITY AUTHORIZED BY SUCH TOWN TO PREPARE AND
MAIL SUCH NOTIFICATION OF VIOLATION.
(H) ADJUDICATION OF THE LIABILITY IMPOSED UPON OWNERS BY THIS SECTION
SHALL BE BY A TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS BUREAU ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION
THREE HUNDRED SEVENTY OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW OR, IF THERE BE NONE,
BY THE COURT HAVING JURISDICTION OVER TRAFFIC INFRACTIONS.
(I) IF AN OWNER RECEIVES A NOTICE OF LIABILITY PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION FOR ANY TIME PERIOD DURING WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS REPORTED TO THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT AS HAVING BEEN STOLEN, IT SHALL BE A VALID DEFENSE TO
AN ALLEGATION OF LIABILITY FOR A VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF SECTION
ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION THAT THE
VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPORTED TO THE POLICE AS STOLEN PRIOR TO THE TIME THE
VIOLATION OCCURRED AND HAD NOT BEEN RECOVERED BY SUCH TIME. FOR PURPOSES
OF ASSERTING THE DEFENSE PROVIDED BY THIS SUBDIVISION IT SHALL BE SUFFI-
CIENT THAT A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT ON THE STOLEN VEHICLE
BE SENT BY FIRST CLASS MAIL TO THE TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS BUREAU OR COURT
HAVING JURISDICTION.
(J) AN OWNER WHO IS A LESSOR OF A VEHICLE TO WHICH A NOTICE OF LIABIL-
ITY WAS ISSUED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (G) OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE
LIABLE FOR THE VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED
ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE, PROVIDED THAT SUCH OWNER SENDS TO THE TRAFFIC
VIOLATIONS BUREAU OR COURT HAVING JURISDICTION A COPY OF THE RENTAL,
LEASE OR OTHER SUCH CONTRACT DOCUMENT COVERING SUCH VEHICLE ON THE DATE
OF THE VIOLATION, WITH THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE LESSEE CLEARLY LEGI-
BLE, WITHIN THIRTY-SEVEN DAYS AFTER RECEIVING NOTICE FROM THE BUREAU OR
COURT OF THE DATE AND TIME OF SUCH VIOLATION, TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ORIGINAL NOTICE OF LIABILITY. FAILURE TO
SEND SUCH INFORMATION WITHIN SUCH THIRTY-SEVEN DAY TIME PERIOD SHALL
RENDER THE OWNER LIABLE FOR THE PENALTY PRESCRIBED BY THIS SECTION.
WHERE THE LESSOR COMPLIES WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE
LESSEE OF SUCH VEHICLE ON THE DATE OF SUCH VIOLATION SHALL BE DEEMED TO
BE THE OWNER OF SUCH VEHICLE FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, SHALL BE
SUBJECT TO LIABILITY FOR THE VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF SECTION
ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND SHALL
BE SENT A NOTICE OF LIABILITY PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (G) OF THIS
SECTION.
(K) 1. IF THE OWNER LIABLE FOR A VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF
SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION
WAS NOT THE OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE VIOLATION, THE
OWNER MAY MAINTAIN AN ACTION FOR INDEMNIFICATION AGAINST THE OPERATOR.
2. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS SECTION, NO OWNER OF A
VEHICLE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO A MONETARY FINE IMPOSED PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION IF THE OPERATOR OF SUCH VEHICLE WAS OPERATING SUCH VEHICLE WITH-
OUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER AT THE TIME SUCH OPERATOR FAILED TO OBEY A
TRAFFIC-CONTROL INDICATION. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THERE
SHALL BE A PRESUMPTION THAT THE OPERATOR OF SUCH VEHICLE WAS OPERATING
S. 9864 4
SUCH VEHICLE WITH THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER AT THE TIME SUCH OPERATOR
FAILED TO OBEY A TRAFFIC-CONTROL INDICATION.
(L) NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO LIMIT THE LIABILITY
OF AN OPERATOR OF A VEHICLE FOR ANY VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF
SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE.
(M) ANY TOWN THAT ADOPTS A DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SUBDIVI-
SION (A) OF THIS SECTION SHALL SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT DETAILING THE
RESULTS OF THE USE OF SUCH TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL PHOTO VIOLATION-MONI-
TORING SYSTEM TO THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND
THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY ON OR BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF JUNE NEXT
SUCCEEDING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION AND ON THE SAME DATE IN
EACH SUCCEEDING YEAR IN WHICH THE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM IS OPERABLE.
SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
1. A DESCRIPTION OF THE LOCATIONS WHERE TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL PHOTO
VIOLATION-MONITORING SYSTEMS WERE USED;
2. THE AGGREGATE NUMBER, TYPE AND SEVERITY OF ACCIDENTS REPORTED AT
INTERSECTIONS WHERE A TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL PHOTO VIOLATION-MONITORING
SYSTEM IS USED FOR THE THREE YEARS PRECEDING THE INSTALLATION OF SUCH
SYSTEM, TO THE EXTENT THE INFORMATION IS MAINTAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
MOTOR VEHICLES OF THIS STATE;
3. THE AGGREGATE NUMBER, TYPE AND SEVERITY OF ACCIDENTS REPORTED AT
INTERSECTIONS WHERE A TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL PHOTO VIOLATION-MONITORING
SYSTEM IS USED FOR THE REPORTING YEAR, AS WELL AS FOR EACH YEAR THAT THE
TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL PHOTO VIOLATION-MONITORING SYSTEM HAS BEEN OPERA-
TIONAL, TO THE EXTENT THE INFORMATION IS MAINTAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
MOTOR VEHICLES OF THIS STATE;
4. THE NUMBER OF EVENTS AND NUMBER OF VIOLATIONS RECORDED AT EACH
INTERSECTION WHERE A TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL PHOTO VIOLATION-MONITORING
SYSTEM IS USED AND IN THE AGGREGATE ON A DAILY, WEEKLY AND MONTHLY
BASIS;
5. THE NUMBER OF NOTICES OF LIABILITY ISSUED FOR VIOLATIONS RECORDED
BY SUCH SYSTEM AT EACH INTERSECTION WHERE A TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL PHOTO
VIOLATION-MONITORING SYSTEM IS USED;
6. THE NUMBER OF FINES IMPOSED AND TOTAL AMOUNT OF FINES PAID AFTER
FIRST NOTICE OF LIABILITY;
7. THE NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF VIOLATIONS ADJUDICATED AND RESULTS OF
SUCH ADJUDICATIONS INCLUDING BREAKDOWNS OF DISPOSITIONS MADE FOR
VIOLATIONS RECORDED BY SUCH SYSTEMS WHICH SHALL BE PROVIDED AT LEAST
ANNUALLY TO SUCH TOWN BY THE RESPECTIVE COURTS AND BUREAUS CONDUCTING
SUCH ADJUDICATIONS;
8. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF REVENUE REALIZED BY SUCH TOWN FROM SUCH ADJUDI-
CATIONS INCLUDING A BREAKDOWN OF REVENUE REALIZED BY SUCH TOWN FOR EACH
YEAR SINCE DEPLOYMENT OF ITS TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL PHOTO VIOLATION-MON-
ITORING SYSTEM;
9. EXPENSES INCURRED BY SUCH TOWN IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROGRAM; AND
10. QUALITY OF THE ADJUDICATION PROCESS AND ITS RESULTS WHICH SHALL BE
PROVIDED AT LEAST ANNUALLY TO SUCH TOWN BY THE RESPECTIVE COURTS AND
BUREAUS CONDUCTING SUCH ADJUDICATIONS.
(N) IT SHALL BE A DEFENSE TO ANY PROSECUTION FOR A VIOLATION OF SUBDI-
VISION (D) OF SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE PURSUANT TO
A LOCAL LAW OR ORDINANCE ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION THAT SUCH
TRAFFIC-CONTROL INDICATIONS WERE MALFUNCTIONING AT THE TIME OF THE
ALLEGED VIOLATION.
§ 2. Subdivision 2 of section 87 of the public officers law is amended
by adding a new paragraph (w) to read as follows:
S. 9864 5
(W) ARE PHOTOGRAPHS, MICROPHOTOGRAPHS, VIDEOTAPE OR OTHER RECORDED
IMAGES PREPARED UNDER AUTHORITY OF SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED ELEVEN-J OF
THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW.
§ 3. The purchase or lease of equipment for a demonstration program
established pursuant to section 1111-j of the vehicle and traffic law
shall be subject to the provisions of section 103 of the general munici-
pal law.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
have become a law and shall expire December 31, 2030, when upon such
date the provisions of this act shall be deemed repealed; provided, that
any such local law as may be enacted pursuant to section one of this act
shall remain in full force and effect only until December 31, 2030.
Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule
or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effec-
tive date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such
effective date.Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.