State lawmakers in the budget approved measures meant to crack down on unsafe stretch limousines and make it easier for inspectors to get them off the road.

The changes come after an October stretch limousine crash in Schoharie killed 20 people, including the driver and two bystanders.

The new regulations include doubled penalties for violating safety rules for limousine operation. At the same time, the Department of Motor Vehicles would be permitted to confiscate license plates of stretch limousines that have failed inspection.

Limousines found to be altered to become “stretch” limos would also be subject to an inspection beyond the typical motor vehicle inspection process. Operators of those vehicles also would have to display safety qualifications and licensing, including inspection information, driver qualifications, and operating authority.

Operating a stretch limousine that has been suspended would subject a person to a felony. Stretch limousines would also be barred from making U-turns on any public highways.

At the same time, new insurance coverage would be required for stretch limousine operators.

Assemblyman Phil Steck said he was supportive of the changes, but question whether the increased penalties would go far enough.

“I think it’s an improvement,” he said. “The difficulty is everyone loves increased criminal penalties [that] don’t solve problems. They punish problems after they occurred.”

The vehicle involved in the October 2018 crash was found to have been taken out of service, and a sticker reading “unserviceable” had been removed.