S 59: Creates a state trooper highway memorial task force to develop and establish guidelines for recognition of members of the division of state police who have died in the line of duty; provides such recognition shall be by means of dedicating a portion of the state highway system, or the placement of a memorial plaque or marker along a state highway.

  
  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 59 2025-2026 Regular Sessions  IN SENATE (Prefiled) January 8, 2025 ___________ Introduced by Sens. GALLIVAN, BORRELLO, OBERACKER, PALUMBO, RHOADS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed 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: 1 Section 1. Legislative intent. It is the intent of the legislature to 2 provide a mechanism to enhance recognition for fallen members of the 3 state police who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. 4 It shall be the charge of the task force created by this act to develop 5 a procedure for recognition of these dedicated people. Furthermore, this 6 act is intended to define safe and acceptable methods of placing memo- 7 rials along the highways of this state that appropriately pay tribute to 8 their service and preserve their memory forever. 9 § 2. The highway law is amended by adding a new section 340-e to read 10 as follows: 11 § 340-e. State trooper highway memorial task force. 1. The state 12 trooper highway memorial task force is hereby created to be comprised of 13 the commissioner or such commissioner's designee, the superintendent of 14 state police or such superintendent's designee, and a member of the 15 Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers, Inc. 16 2. Within ninety days of the effective date of this section, the task 17 force shall develop and establish guidelines for recognition of members 18 of the division of state police who have died in the line of duty. Such 19 recognition may be in the form of the dedication of a portion of a state 20 highway and/or the placement of a memorial plaque or marker along a 21 state highway. Any placement of a memorial plaque or marker along a 22 state highway shall be approved by the commissioner to ensure the safe 23 and effective traffic flow along highways in this state. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD00335-01-5 
 S. 59 2 1 3. Any person may submit to the state trooper highway memorial task 2 force, in writing, a petition seeking recognition of members of the 3 division of state police who have given their lives in the line of duty. 4 Such petition shall be in such form and contain such information as the 5 task force may require. Upon the receipt of a petition the task force 6 shall consider the request and advise the applicant, in writing, of a 7 decision on any action to be taken within sixty days of the receipt of 8 such petition. Upon the acceptance of any petition, the task force shall 9 determine the appropriate form and location of the memorial to be imple- 10 mented. 11 § 3. The commissioner of transportation shall provide for the instal- 12 lation and maintenance of adequate memorial plaques, markers and signs 13 along the state highway system as designated pursuant to section 340-e 14 of the highway law, as added by section two of this act; provided that, 15 to avoid any confusion and to limit any possible disruption of commerce, 16 any designation called for pursuant to such section shall be one of a 17 ceremonial nature and the official name of such highway shall not be 18 changed as a result of this act. 19 § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.