Gov. Cuomo scrapped a plan to ban stretch limousines — a move initially prompted by a horrific crash upstate last fall that killed 20 people.
Cuomo’s proposal, included in his executive budget, would have barred the state Department of Motor Vehicles from registering limos that had been “stretched” — taking manufactured cars or SUVs and cutting them in half and elongating them.
But he scaled back his plan in a amendment to his spending plan.
Limo companies complained that Cuomo’s proposal was a draconian measure that would put them out of business.
A Cuomo spokesman said the enforcement proposal was revised to comply with federal law.
“The original intent of the legislation was never a flat out ban on all limousines in the state, but rather a registration prohibition on unsafe vehicles. That has not changed,” said Cuomo spokesman Jason Conwall.
“Any contrary interpretation of the original language would have subjected the law to a legal challenge and create a conflict of laws. The amended proposal clarifies state law and does not conflict with federal law, and will continue to serve to prohibit unsafe vehicles from registration.”
A stretch limo is commonly used for weddings, proms and funerals.
Under federal law, the garage or company that “stretches” the vehicle must contain a special tag certifying that the elongated vehicle conforms with national safety rules.
Cuomo’s office said under the revised plan, stretch limos that do not meet federal safety standards will not be allowed on New York roads.
The Oct. 6 crash in Schoharie County near Albany involved a limo that prosecutors say shouldn’t have been on the road.
The operator of the limo pleaded not guilty to criminally negligent homicide.
The tragic crash triggered outrage over the safety of the vehicles and the lack of government oversight.
The plan would have given the Department of Motor Vehicle officials the authority to revoke the registration of any re-manufactured stretch limo that did not have a federal safety certification tag.
The Times Union reported that the provision was stricken from Cuomo’s state budget proposal.