7/7/05-A bill that required convicted drunk drivers in the state to display special license plates that would identify them to police for random stops has died.
S5646, remained in the Senate Rules Committee when the session ended last month, effectively killing it for the year.
Republican Senators Nick Spano of Westchester and Tom Libous of Binghampton unveiled the effort a little more than a week before lawmakers adjourned June 24 for the year. It sought to require drivers convicted of three drunken driving offenses in a five-year period – or four within 10 years – to purchase the special license plates. The plates would have included a number or letter code that police could use to easily identify them as convicted drunk drivers.
The plates, which would cost the vehicle owner $100, would have been required to be on the vehicle for two years.
Libous and Spano can pick up the bill from where it left off when lawmakers return to the Capitol for the session that begins in January 2006.

6/20/05-A bill in the Senate Rules Committee would require convicted drunk drivers to display special license plates that would identify them to police for random stops.
S5646, sponsored by Sen. Nick Spano, R-Westchester, would require drivers convicted of three drunken driving offenses in a five-year period – or four within 10 years – to purchase the special license plates. The plates would include a number or letter code that police could use to easily identify them as convicted drunk drivers.
The plates, which would cost the vehicle owner $100, would be required to be on the vehicle for two years.
For bill status, call (518) 455-7545. In New York, call 1-800-342-9860.
An identical Assembly bill – A8867 – is in the Assembly Transportation Committee.