Senate BillIntroduced
S 3549: Increases penalties for traffic violations related to the failure to properly operate a motor vehicle when approaching a parked, stopped or standing authorized emergency vehicle, hazard vehicle, vehicle displaying a blue or green light or certain other motor vehicles; increases penalties for multiple violations.
What S 3549 does, verified January 8, 2026
The proposed law aims to impose stricter penalties for traffic infractions committed while approaching authorized emergency vehicles. A first-time offender will face a fine of up to $450. For a second violation within 18 months, the fine will be up to $600 and the offender will be assessed 6 points on their driving record. For a third violation and subsequent infractions within 18 months, the fine can be up to $750 or up to 1 year in prison. The penalties will take effect immediately.
Bill journey
1IntroducedCurrent
2In CommitteePending
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION (2026-01-07)Alert me
Quick answers about S 3549
- What is the current status of S 3549?
- As of January 8, 2026, S 3549 is recorded as "Introduced": it has been introduced and is waiting for its first committee hearing or floor vote. The last recorded action, on January 7, 2026, was "REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION".
- Did S 3549 pass?
- Not yet. S 3549 has been introduced and has not passed either house.
- Who wrote S 3549, and where is it now?
- S 3549 was authored by Sen. George Borrello. Its committee of record is Senate Transportation.
Author and sponsors
Full contact details, staff, and committees with Connect, $16/moUnlockRecent actions2 total · showing 2
| Jan. 07, 2026 | REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION |
| Jan. 28, 2025 | REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION |
Latest bill textIntroduced version, January 28, 2025 · 333 words
STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 3549 2025-2026 Regular Sessions IN SENATE January 28, 2025 ___________ Introduced by Sen. BORRELLO -- 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, in relation to penalties for traffic infractions related to the operation of vehicles when approaching authorized emergency vehicles The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Section 1800 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by 2 adding a new subdivision (e-1) to read as follows: 3 (e-1) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (b) and (c) of 4 this section, every person convicted of a violation of the provisions of 5 section eleven hundred forty-four-a of this chapter shall for a first 6 conviction thereof be punished by a fine of not more than four hundred 7 fifty dollars. For a conviction of a second violation, both of which 8 were committed within a period of eighteen months, such person shall be 9 punished by a fine of not more than six hundred dollars and shall be 10 assessed six points to such person's driving record, which shall also 11 cause such person to be liable to the department for payment of a driver 12 responsibility assessment as provided in subdivision four of section 13 five hundred three of this chapter. For a conviction of a third 14 violation and all subsequent violations, all of which were committed 15 within a period of eighteen months, such person shall be punished by a 16 fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars or by imprisonment for 17 not more than one year or by both such fine and imprisonment. 18 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD08099-01-5
Text of S 3549 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions