COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION
MEMBERS: Stewart-Cousins, Chair, Bronz, Abinanti, Latimer, Oros and Rogowsky
BOL: Steve Bass, Ann Giordano,
GUESTS: William Randolph (CEO), Andrew Newman (CEO), Liz Salvi (Law), William Slater (West Co. Taxi & Limo Owners Assoc.), Anthony Mosia, () Mr. Guarino, (Owner/Operator) Elvera Apicella (WCTLC), Barbara Z. Monahan (WCTLC)
Chairwoman, Andrea Stewart-Cousins called the meeting to order at 12:01 p.m., welcomed Mr. Guarino and invited him to testify regarding his circumstances as a funeral car operator. Mr. Guarino advised that his cars have been mistaken for limousines and the problem is exacerbated by the phone book that references limousines when looking for funeral cars. Mr. Guarino explained that New York City law exempts funeral cars.
Barbara Monahan, of the County’s Taxi and Limousine Commission, suggested placards that would indicate the car service was being used for funerals. In addition, she introduced the commission’s request to amend the existing law to include licensing for limousines carrying up to 19 passengers. Current law only applies to vehicles seating up to 11.
Ms. Monahan also asked the committee to consider proposed legislation that would register taxis and allow the county to impound vehicles not properly registered as taxis.
The Chair invited comment from Mr. Slater of Mamaroneck Village who felt that taxi registration would be difficult and expensive, and questioned how current laws were being enforced.
After a lengthy committee discussion, the Chair asked the County Attorney to look at the New York City law as it pertained to funeral cars and present language for the committee’s further review. The Committee also expressed agreement with the change in the number of passengers in limousines and asked that the legislation be separated from proposed legislation for taxi licensing and forfeiture.
County Attorney, Stacey Dolgin-Kmetz, promised to check NYC legislation with regard to funeral cars and make the amendments and separations on the other legislation by the following meeting of the Legislation Committee.
Prior to concluding the meeting, the committee passed the minutes of June 10th with Rogowsky moving them seconded by Abinanti.
Meeting adjourned at 1:41 moved by Rogowsky, seconded by Abinanti.