Governor Paterson Signs Eighteen Bills into Law

ALBANY, NY (03/31/2010)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson signed eighteen bills into law this week, including a bill that will reimburse tolls that emergency vehicles incur when using the New York State Thruway, a bill that will designate May 17 as Thurgood Marshall Day in New York State, and a bill that will clarify existing law governing physician assistants, among several budget related bills and others. The Governor also signed emergency budget bills, ensuring the continued operation of State government until an enacted budget is achieved.

The signed bills include S.2831-A/A.901-A, which will authorize and direct the New York State Thruway Authority (Authority) to issue refunds for tolls incurred by ambulances or fire vehicles engaged in an emergency operation, or, at the option of the Authority, to issue emergency services permits for use by ambulances and fire vehicles engaged in an emergency operation, which would provide for free travel on the Thruway. This bill will also allow the Authority to select an auditor to determine whether the refunds or permits cause a significant loss of revenue to the Authority, and if a loss is determined, the Authority would be authorized to offer refunds or permits at a discount of the cash cost per mile.

"In some parts of the State, the New York State Thruway provides the fastest and most direct access to the site of an emergency," Governor Paterson said. "This bill will provide first responders with greater ease of travel and will bring increased protection and safety to some of New York's most remote communities. In an emergency, every second counts."

Governor Paterson also signed into law S.5323-A/A.7068-A, which commemorates the life and work of Associate Justice of the United State Supreme Court Thurgood Marshall by designating May 17 of each year as Thurgood Marshall Day in New York State.

"I am proud to sign this bill honoring United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall," Governor Paterson said. "As the first African American appointed to the Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall not only helped to lead our country from the evils of segregation, but was an avid defender of personal liberties, proudly standing up for rights of individuals. From now on, on May 17 of each year, New Yorkers will honor his remarkable achievements and tireless quest to guarantee equality and social justice for all Americans."

In addition, Governor Paterson signed S.4998/A.1726-B, which clarifies that physician assistants can perform functions that flow from the medical services they are authorized to provide to patients, as long as they have the necessary training and competence to carry out such functions and act under the supervision of a physician whose ordinary practice includes those functions. The bill addresses the concern that if a statute authorizes or directs physicians to perform a function related to a medical service but does not specifically refer to physician assistants, it could be interpreted as prohibiting a physician assistant from performing that function, even if otherwise qualified to do so. However, the bill does not increase or decrease the lawful scope of practice of physician assistants.

The following bills were also signed into law:

A.9711B (BUDGET): Enacts the deficiency budget for the 2009-2010 State fiscal year.

A.9712A (BUDGET): Relates to authorizing certain payments, deposits and transfers for the support of government.

A.10241: Extends a real property tax abatement program for certain commercial properties and a special reduction under the commercial rent tax.

A.10407: Extends provisions of part X2 of chapter 62 of the law of 2003 relating to allowing the use of funds of the office of professional medical conduct.

A.10468: Enacts provisions relating to an emergency spending plan for the period April 1, 2010 through April 11, 2010.

A.10469: Provides for emergency appropriation for the period of April 1, 2010 through April 11, 2010.

A.10096/S.6944: Extends transitional provisions relating to the federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley act.

S.2088A/A.4758-A: Relates to standard fire insurance policies.

S.3351A/A.7803: Relates to the membership of the Saratoga-Capital district regional park, recreation and historic preservation.

S.3528A/A.7132-A: Relates to the renunciation of property interests.

S.4242/A.8541: Relates to the deadline for the publication of enrollment lists.

S.4256/A.8316: Relates to disclosure in New York State in an action pending in another jurisdiction.

S.5588-A/A.8378: Grants an exemption to provisions prohibiting transfer of any retirement plan upon commencement of matrimonial action when benefits are being paid under such plan.

S.5760A/A.6117-A: Authorize the First United Methodists Church of Roosevelt to file an application for real property tax exemptions.

S.5857/A.7660: Increases the number of affirmative votes required to adopt, amend or repeal a rule.

Governor Paterson vetoed the following bills:

S.6828; S.3038-A/A.9925: Includes Niagara Frontier transportation authority and its police officers and aircraft rescue firefighters under provisions for resolution of impasse in collective.

S.3284/A.6336: Relates to binding arbitration in negotiations with members who are designated as security services or security supervisors.

S.2829/A.2941: Provides for the detailing of the benefits and costs of proposed rules in the regulatory impact statements.

S.764/A.317: Authorizes insurance premium reductions for non-commercial private passenger vehicles retrofitted with daytime running lamps.

S.6154-B/A.1812-A: Expands certain mandates, currently only for teachers, to other specified personnel during a consolidation of BOCES and school district services.

A.7287/S.5720: Relates to online listing of real property for sale or rent.

S.2971/A.2873: Requires prior disclosure of income, assets, financial obligations of decedent to enforce surviving spouse's waiver of right of election; waives dead man's statute.

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