Dedicates a portion of the state highway system in the town of Morris, county of Otsego, to Trooper Jill E. Mattice.
Summary
S02110 amends the New York Highway Law to dedicate a specific portion of State Route 23 in the Village of Morris, Otsego County, to “Trooper Jill E. Mattice.” The designated segment runs from the intersection with County Route 49 to the intersection with Potato Farm Road, also known as Patrick Hill Road. The bill is a commemorative or honorary highway designation, intended to recognize Trooper Mattice by naming the roadway segment in her honor.
The measure also directs the Commissioner of Transportation to install and maintain appropriate signage for the dedication. It expressly states that the dedication is ceremonial only and does not change the official name of the highway, which is meant to avoid confusion and limit any disruption to commerce. The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Impact
This bill would add a new section 344-r to the Highway Law and require the state to post and maintain signs marking the designated stretch of Route 23. It does not alter roadway ownership, jurisdiction, traffic rules, or the official route designation, but it does create a statutory honorary naming for a state highway segment in Otsego County. The practical effect is limited to signage, public recognition, and the state’s administrative duty to implement the dedication.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests broad bipartisan support for the bill. It passed the Senate Transportation Committee unanimously, then cleared the Senate floor by a wide margin and the Assembly unanimously. No committee transcript or recorded debate is provided, so there is no evidence of substantive opposition in the materials supplied. Overall, the bill appears to have been viewed as a noncontroversial memorial or recognition measure.
Contention
There is little apparent contention in the record provided. The only issue expressly addressed in the bill text is the need to avoid confusion and disruption of commerce, which is why the dedication is limited to a ceremonial designation rather than an official renaming. Any potential concern would likely be administrative—sign installation and maintenance by the Department of Transportation—rather than policy-based. The unanimous committee and Assembly votes indicate no notable opposition, while the single Senate floor no vote suggests only minimal dissent.