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NYSSPE Legislative Update December 2016 – Parking Garage Inspections Legislation Vetoed
The New York State Society of Professional Engineers (NYSSPE) recently helped draft legislation that passed both the Senate and the Assembly that would require regular structural inspections of parking garages. Unfortunately the legislation was recently vetoed by the Governor and in this video NYSSPE Legislative Counsel Mark Kriss, Esq. explains why the governor took this action and what our next steps will be to continue to try to move this important legislation forward.
Rudi O. Sherbansky says
Anthony;
The only reason for this Veto that I heard Mark Kriss mention in the video was the fact the New York City was not included in the bill. Is that the only reason?? There is a myriad of NYS laws that exclude Cities in NYS that are greater then 1 million people, i.e. NY City.
If this was the only reason for the Veto, I think that the governor’s action is extremely harsh towards nysspe. I think we should send a letter to the senate & assembly leaders reiterating the safety issue of un-inspected public garages, expressing our disappointment in the governor’s unjustified Veto and requesting alternative solutions.
Rudi O. Sherbansky says
Cuomo said the bill was inconsistent with existing laws that oversee inspection of parking ramps. “I fully agree that parking structures must be inspected and maintained to ensure they remain safe for drivers,” Cuomo wrote in his veto message “However, this bill is fundamentally flawed and cannot be implemented as currently drafted.”
Cuomo said he will direct the secretary of state and the state’s Code Council to review existing laws and determine whether additional inspections of parking structures are needed, saying, “I am fully committed to ensuring the safety of our citizens.”
Cuomo said the bill would require municipalities to submit their inspections to the Code Council. But he said local governments are in charge of the inspections and enforcement of local codes.
Also, local governments already are have to perform periodic fire safety and property-maintenance inspections every three years. So the new bill would be repetitive, he said.
“This bill would unnecessarily duplicate efforts and require municipalities to expend additional resources, even in cases where there was no cause for concern,” Cuomo wrote.
He added the Code Council is statutorily tasked to review any changes to the law, and it hadn’t reviewed the bill.
http://www.stargazette.com/story/news/local/new-york/2016/11/29/cuomo-vetoes-bill-ramp-inspections/94616592/
Here is a Fox video about the Veto but w/no specifics;
http://www.wicz.com/story/33832324/bill-to-increase-parking-garage-inspections-vetoed
Rudi O. Sherbansky says
See copy of the parking inspections bill here:
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2015/S7669
Senate Bill S7669.