Exempts operators of law enforcement and fire department vessels from laws which regulate vessels on the navigable waters of the state while responding to…

Official titleShow

Exempts operators of law enforcement and fire department vessels from laws which regulate vessels on the navigable waters of the state while responding to emergencies

The heading above is this same sentence with its legal opening removed. No words were added, changed or reordered.

Latest action Mar 24, 2026

Exempts operators of law enforcement and fire department vessels from laws which regulate vessels on the navigable waters of the state while such operators are in the course of responding to emergencies.

Not chosen yet

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Same as A4658, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Amends the Navigation Law.

Committee

Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks And Recreation · New York State Senate

Also referred to Transportation · New York State Assembly, Transportation · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

This bill exempts law enforcement and fire departments from laws which regulate vessels on the navigable waters of the state while in the course of responding to emergencies.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recorded votes

Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateMar 24, 2026Result: passed
(61) (0) (0) (2)
Vote: Committee vote · Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks And Recreation
Senate Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks And RecreationMar 17, 2026Result: passed
(7) (0) (0) (0)
Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateApr 30, 2025Result: passed
(60) (0) (0) (2)
Vote: Committee vote · Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks And Recreation
Senate Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks And RecreationApr 8, 2025Result: passed
(7) (0) (0) (0)

Cosponsors

Pamela Helming and Steve Rhoads

Republican2

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why Jessica Scarcella-Spanton says this is needed

The New York State Harbormaster & Bay Constable Association have raised a concern that NYS Navigation Law does not exempt bona fide law enforce- ment agencies and fire departments from deviating from the State Law when responding to emergencies or in pursuit of law enforcement activ- ities. Such exemptions currently exist in the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law concerning police and emergency vehicles. This omission may become an issue of liability on the part of State, County and Local government. This legislation will remedy the situation.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

Mar 24, 2026
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
Mar 24, 2026
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
Mar 24, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
NY Assembly
Mar 19, 2026
Advanced to Third Reading
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
NY Senate
Mar 18, 2026
2ND Report CAL.
2ND REPORT CAL.
NY Senate

Show full history (12 earlier events)

Mar 17, 2026
1ST Report CAL.564
1ST REPORT CAL.564
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Died in Assembly
DIED IN ASSEMBLY
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM, PARKS AND RECREATION
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
NY Assembly
Apr 30, 2025
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
Apr 30, 2025
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
Apr 30, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
NY Assembly
Apr 10, 2025
Advanced to Third Reading
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
NY Senate
Apr 9, 2025
2ND Report CAL.
2ND REPORT CAL.
NY Senate
Apr 8, 2025
1ST Report CAL.665
1ST REPORT CAL.665
NY Senate
Feb 21, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM, PARKS AND RECREATION
NY Senate
Feb 4, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
NY Assembly

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Nov 2, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

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