REMARKS
Council Member Julie Menin introduces legislation to increase penalties for idling vehicles
0:11:21
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146 sec
Council Member Julie Menin addresses the issue of air quality in New York City, highlighting the city's high ranking in asthma-related problems. She introduces Intro 291, which aims to increase penalties for idling trucks and buses, taking into account repeat violations. Menin argues that current penalties are insufficient and explains how her legislation would change that.
- New York City ranks 15th among top 20 asthma capitals in the US, 5th for asthma-related deaths
- Intro 291 proposes increased penalties: $1000-$2000 for first offense, $2000-$4000 for second, $3000-$6000 for third or more
- Current penalties ($350-$2000) do not account for repeat violations, resulting in minimal consequences for offenders
Julie Menin
0:11:21
Thank you so much, Chair Genera, for today's hearing on the city's air quality and its impact on public health.
0:11:28
Last year, a report by earthjustice found that among the top 20 asthma capitals in the United States New York City was ranked 15th ahead of Miami, Nashville, and Los Angeles.
0:11:41
Alarmingly, the city was ranked 5th for asthma related deaths and 4th for the fewest ASMA specialists per asthma patient.
0:11:50
We can do better to stop being a capital for asthma.
0:11:53
That is why I introduced intro 291 that increases penalties for idling trucks and buses.
0:11:59
The bill was has a super majority of 35 council members and the Manhattan Barr president takes into account repeat violations as well.
0:12:08
For a first time offender, the violation would be between $10,200, For a second time offender, it would be 2000 to 4000.
0:12:16
For 3 or more, it would be between 3000 to 6000.
0:12:20
Right now, vehicles are limited to 1 minute of idling near school or park and 3 minutes elsewhere.
0:12:26
A violation results in a civil penalty between $350 2000.
0:12:32
Repeat violations are not taken into account.
0:12:35
Most companies appearing before the office of administrative trials and hearings are oath, received literally a slap on the wrist with a minimum standard $350 adjudicated by oath.
0:12:47
Just last year, there were whopping 77,382 tickets issued.
0:12:53
Nearly 54% or slightly over 42,000 of the tickets were for out of state violators.
0:13:00
Other municipalities already have laws on the book that take into account the number of repeat violations.
0:13:06
Sacramento, California, Detroit, Michigan, and New Rochelle, New York already have laws that explicitly cite repeat offenses in penalty decisions.
0:13:15
It's time for New York City to do the same, and my legislation would ensure that.
0:13:20
Increasingly, the penalty sends a clear message that idling is not the cost of doing business in New York City.
0:13:28
Cleaner air is vital for communities across the city, and I wanna thank the bill director, Julia Goldsmith Pinkham, Beth Golob, Jeff Baker, and Andrea Vasquez.
0:13:37
And for my team, I want to thank my chief of staff, Jonathan Shut, Janice Vargas, and Mercedes Anderson, and I also want to thank the chair so much for holding today's hearing.
0:13:46
Thank you.
