Authorizes the village of Southampton, town of Southampton, in Suffolk county to establish demonstration programs imposing monetary liability for failure of operators to comply with posted speed limits

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tommy John Schiavoni

Authorizes Southampton village and town to pilot monetary penalties for speeding drivers to test whether fines improve compliance and roadway safety.

PRINT NUMBER 8501A

Bill A 8501 – Summary

A.8501, as introduced May 20, 2025 and currently in Print Number 8501A, would authorize the village of Southampton and the Town of Southampton (both in Suffolk County) to establish demonstration programs that impose monetary liability on operators for failing to comply with posted speed limits. The bill appears to enable a local, temporary pilot to test whether monetary penalties can improve speed-limit compliance and roadway safety.

Purpose and Scope

Purpose: To give Southampton’s local government a framework to pilot monetary penalties for drivers who do not obey posted speed limits.

Geographic scope: Applies specifically to the Village of Southampton and the Town of Southampton in Suffolk County.

Demonstration character: The designation “demonstration programs” indicates a temporary, evaluative approach rather than a permanent statewide shift.

Key Provisions (High-Level)

Authorization of programs: Enables the village and town to establish demonstration programs addressing noncompliance with posted speed limits.

Monetary liability: Establishes the authority to impose monetary penalties on operators who fail to comply with speed limits.

Oversight and evaluation: Likely includes requirements for program reporting, evaluation of effectiveness, and mechanisms to adjust or sunset the program based on findings.

Administrative processes: Anticipated provisions around enforcement procedures, citation issuance, collection of penalties, and due-process considerations.

Sunset or duration: Demonstration programs typically include a deadline or review point to assess continuation, modification, or termination.

Note: The full text would specify exact penalties, permissible enforcement methods, due-process protections, funding use, and sunset dates. The summary reflects the bill’s stated intent to authorize a local pilot in Southampton rather than detailed operational rules.

Affected Parties and Impacts

Drivers/operators: Subject to new monetary penalties for speeding within Southampton's municipal boundaries.

Local governments: Village and Town of Southampton gain authority to design and operate the demonstration programs.

Law enforcement and administrative agencies: Responsible for implementing and collecting penalties, and for reporting findings.

Residents and businesses: Potential impact via changes in traffic safety, enforcement practices, and local revenue collection.

Procedural Timeline and Status

Introduced: May 20, 2025.

Status: Print Number 8501A (amended/reconsideration anticipated).

Actions: Legislative actions show amendments and reprints to Transportation, indicating ongoing refinement.

Sponsor: Tommy Schiavoni (primary).

Related legislation: Companion bill in the Senate, S 7948, indicating cross-chamber consideration.

Legislative Context

Companion bill: S 7948 appears in multiple instances, suggesting parallel consideration in the Senate.

Next steps: Track amendments, bill text for specific penalties, program duration, reporting requirements, and sunset provisions upon further committee action.

This summary provides a concise picture based on the available bill information. The enacted text would detail the precise program design, penalties, enforcement procedures, funding, and sunset criteria.