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A 6805

Authorizes the impoundment of any motor vehicle operated by a person who drives while ability impaired or intoxicated

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Gary Pretlow

Authorizes the impoundment of any motor vehicle operated by a person who drives while ability impaired or intoxicated to deter risky driving and protect public safety.

REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
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Bill Summary · A 6805

Summary of New York A 6805 (2025)

Overview

  • Bill Number: A 6805
  • Title: Authorizes the impoundment of any motor vehicle operated by a person who drives while ability impaired or intoxicated
  • Sponsor: J. Gary Pretlow (primary)
  • Status: REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
  • Introduced: March 14, 2025
  • Legislative Actions: Referred to Transportation on 2025-03-14 (listed twice in the record)

Purpose and intent

The bill proposes to deter and reduce impaired driving by authorizing the impoundment of motor vehicles that are operated by a person driving while impaired (DWI) or intoxicated. By removing the vehicle from immediate use, the measure aims to prevent further risky driving by the same individual and enhance street safety.

Key provisions (as currently described)

  • The core authorization is: authorize the impoundment of any motor vehicle operated by a person who drives while ability impaired or intoxicated.
  • Specific details such as definitions (e.g., what constitutes “ability impaired” or “intoxicated”), duration of impoundment, procedures for impoundment, fee allocation, exemptions, appeal rights, and release conditions are not included in the provided summary. The enacted text would clarify these elements.

Affected parties

  • Impaired drivers and vehicle operators
  • Vehicle owners (including those who may not have been driving at the time of impoundment)
  • Law enforcement agencies responsible for enforcing DWI laws and initiating impoundment
  • Towing, impound, and storage facilities
  • Local governments and transportation agencies that may oversee or fund impoundment programs

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Introduced and referred to the Transportation Committee on March 14, 2025.
  • No additional actions or amendments listed in the provided record; no termination or bill passage status noted beyond the committee referral.

Context and related legislation

  • Related bills from prior sessions: A 2162, A 3860, A 2624, A 2463, A 3177, A 1636, A 2672, A 1576, A 833. The presence of multiple related measures suggests ongoing legislative interest in impaired-driving enforcement tools and vehicle impoundment as a policy approach.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Public safety: Could strengthen deterrence against impaired driving if implemented with clear procedures and due process.
  • Enforcement and costs: Impoundment programs involve police time, towing/storage costs, and administrative processes for release and potential disputes.
  • Stakeholder considerations: Car owners, drivers, and local authorities will seek clarity on definitions, duration, fees, exemptions, and appeal mechanisms to avoid unintended consequences or disputes.

Next steps

  • Committee analysis and possible amendments in Transportation
  • Hearings, stakeholder input, and potential floor consideration
  • Final legislative action in the legislature if advanced out of committee

Note: This summary is based on the provided bill title and status. Detailed provisions, definitions, and fiscal implications will be clarified in the full bill text.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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