Introduced by Representative Stevens of Shoreham

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.25

2007 Page 1

H.25

Referred to Committee on

Date:

Subject: Transportation; Larrabee’s Point ferry; legislative grant terms

Statement of purpose: This bill proposes to extend the authorization to operate a ferry from Larrabee’s Point in Vermont across Lake Champlain to the state of New York through December 31, 2035. The bill would designate 1759 Ltd. d/b/a Fort Ticonderoga Ferry as the authorized ferry operator and change the annual final date of operation from November 15 to October 15.

AN ACT RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF A FERRY ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN

It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:

Sec. 1. Sec. 1 of No. 59 of the Acts of 1991 is amended to read:

Sec. 1. LARRABEE’S POINT FERRY

(a) Rights granted.

The right and privilege of maintaining and operating a ferry across Lake Champlain from Larrabee’s Point in the town of Shoreham, county of Addison and state of Vermont, to the town of Ticonderoga in the state of New York, is granted to Shorewell Ferries, Inc 1759 Ltd. d/b/a Fort Ticonderoga Ferry, a Vermont corporation having its principal office at Shoreham in the county of Addison, its successors and assigns, for a period of 20 45 years from the first day of January, 1991. No person other than Shorewell Ferries, Inc. 1759 Ltd. d/b/a Fort Ticonderoga Ferry, its successors or assigns, may operate a ferry within ten miles north or ten miles south from the ferry landing now in use on Larrabee’s Point during such 20 year 45-year period. The right and privilege herein granted includes the right to maintain the existing landings.

(b) Conditions.

Shorewell Ferries, Inc. 1759 Ltd. d/b/a Fort Ticonderoga Ferry, its successors and assigns, shall be subject to the orders of the transportation board as authorized in Title 5, parts 1 and 3 and shall pay all taxes assessed this franchise and any property of Shorewell Ferries, Inc. 1759 Ltd. d/b/a Fort Ticonderoga Ferry, used in connection with the ferry. If the rights granted under this act are transferred to or acquired by the successors or assigns of Shorewell Ferries, Inc. 1759 Ltd. d/b/a Fort Ticonderoga Ferry, the transfer shall be recorded in the office of the secretary of state.

If Shorewell Ferries, Inc. 1759 Ltd. d/b/a Fort Ticonderoga Ferry, its successors or assigns, establishes and operates a ferry under authority of this act, it shall be the duty of Shorewell Ferries, Inc. 1759 Ltd. d/b/a Fort Ticonderoga Ferry, its successors or assigns, as the case may be, to maintain suitable and safe ferryboats, sufficient for carrying and transporting motor and other vehicles, horses, cattle, passengers, and goods, and to operate ferry service at reasonable and seasonal times as required by the transportation board, but in no event shall the transportation board require the ferry to be operated prior to May 15 or after November October 15 in any calendar year. Failure to comply with any order of the transportation board, or to pay any tax lawfully assessed against the franchise or against property of Shorewell Ferries, Inc. 1759 Ltd. d/b/a Fort Ticonderoga Ferry, its successors or assigns, owned or used in connection with the franchise, shall work a forfeiture of the rights and privileges granted under this act.