What's happening
This bill changes the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority board to include an additional voting member representing the transit dependent or disabled community and reduces non-voting members to one.
Why it matters
Increases representation for marginalized riders. By adding a voting board member specifically representing the transit dependent or disabled community, the bill ensures that the needs and perspectives of these groups are directly considered in transportation authority decisions, potentially leading to more accessible and equitable transit policies.
Shifts board dynamics and decision-making. Granting voting power to a representative of transit dependent or disabled individuals could influence key decisions around service planning, budgeting, and accessibility improvements, making the board more responsive to a broader range of riders.
Streamlines non-voting participation. Reducing the number of non-voting members to just one (from two) and specifying that the labor representative remains non-voting may clarify roles and make board meetings more efficient, while still maintaining labor input in discussions.
Signals a legislative priority on inclusivity. The change reflects a broader policy trend toward including voices of those most affected by public transit decisions—particularly people with disabilities or those without alternative transportation—potentially setting a precedent for other authorities in New York State.
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Add Voice to Transit Board
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Print number 7159a
- Amend and recommit to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Expand Transit Board Membership
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Robert Ortt
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7159--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
April 10, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. NORRIS, MORINELLO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions -- recommitted to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the composition of the board of the Niagara Frontier transportation authority
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 1299-c of the public authorities law, as amended by chapter 220 of the laws of 2012, paragraph (b) as amended by chapter 197 of the laws of 2017, and paragraph (c) as amended by chapter 176 of the laws of 2012, is amended to read as follows:
1. (a) There is hereby created the "Niagara Frontier transportation authority." The authority shall be a body corporate and politic constituting a public benefit corporation. The authority shall consist of a chairman, [ten] eleven other members and shall have [two] one non-voting [members] member as described in [paragraphs (b) and (c)] paragraph (b) of this subdivision appointed by the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate. The chairman and all members shall be residents of the district. Of the [ten] eleven members other than the chairman, one shall be appointed upon the written recommendation of the Erie county executive [and], one shall be appointed upon the written recommendation of the Erie county legislature, and one shall be appointed as a representative of the transit dependent community or people with disabilities as described in paragraph (c) of this subdivision. The chairman and each of the members shall be appointed for a term of eight years, provided however, that the chairman first appointed shall serve for a term ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred seventy-three, and of the eight other members first appointed, one shall serve for a term
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08645-03-8
A. 7159--A 2
ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred sixty-eight, two shall serve for a term ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred sixty-nine, one shall serve for a term ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred seventy, two shall serve for a term ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred seventyone, one shall serve for a term ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred seventy-two and one shall serve for a term ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred seventy-three. The term of one of the members appointed to memberships first created by law after April first, nineteen hundred sixty-nine shall end on June thirtieth, nineteen hundred seventy-four, and the term of the other such member shall end on June thirtieth, nineteen hundred seventy-five. Following the expiration of any term ending on or after June thirtieth, nineteen hundred eighty-seven, each member shall be appointed for a term of five years beginning on the day after the expiration date of such prior term; provided, however, that the term of the member first appointed upon the written recommendation of the Erie county executive and the term of the member first appointed upon the written recommendation of the Erie county legislature shall be for a term ending on June thirtieth, nineteen hundred ninety-six.
(b) The first non-voting member of the authority who shall not be considered in determining a quorum, shall be recommended to the governor by the labor organization representing the plurality of the employees within the authority and shall be a resident of the Niagara Frontier transportation district as described in section twelve hundred ninetynine-b of this title. Such first non-voting member shall be appointed for a term of five years, provided, however, that if at any time during the term of appointment such non-voting member ceases to be affiliated with the labor organization representing the plurality of employees within the authority, then such labor organization may at any time during such term recommend a new member to the governor who shall serve the remainder of the term. If the local bargaining unit decertifies its existing union affiliation and certifies a new union, the union which represents the plurality of the employees may recommend a new member to the governor who shall serve the remainder of the term. The chairman of the authority, at his or her discretion, may exclude such non-voting member from attending any portion of a meeting of the authority or of any committee held for the purpose of discussing negotiations with labor organizations, pending litigation involving the labor organization, or the investigation, evaluation, or discipline of an employee.
(c) There shall [also] be a second non-voting member of the authority[, who shall not be considered in determining a quorum. The second non-voting member shall be] appointed by the governor as a representative of the transit dependent community and/or people with disabilities. The second non-voting member shall be appointed for a term of five years.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
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