What's happening
This bill authorizes the MTA to prohibit railroad engines from idling more than 15 minutes near residential areas in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Why it matters
Aims to reduce air and noise pollution. by limiting how long train engines can idle near homes, which could directly improve quality of life for residents living close to rail lines.
Provides specific exceptions. for trains actively engaged in loading, unloading, or processing, or those stopped in municipal parking lots—balancing operational needs with community health.
Requires visible signage. about the idling restrictions and penalties at locations with frequent complaints, making enforcement more transparent and likely raising public awareness.
Enforcement is strengthened. by clarifying that violators cannot use the absence of signage as a defense, which helps ensure the rule remains effective regardless of sign placement.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Limit Train Engine Idling
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8868
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
December 22, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to authorizing the metropolitan transportation authority to prohibit idling railroad engines in the counties of Nassau and Suffolk
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section 1264-b to read as follows:
§ 1264-b. Additional purposes of the authority; idling railroad engines in Nassau and Suffolk counties. 1. For the purposes of this section, the term "railroad" shall mean a private or public railroad operating in the counties of Nassau and Suffolk carrying either freight, passengers or freight and passengers including, but not limited to, those operated by the authority and its subsidiaries, the Long Island Rail Road, the metro-north railroad, the Staten Island rapid transit operating authority, the New York city transit authority or any other public authority or local government.
2. The authority shall prohibit a railroad engine to idle for longer than fifteen minutes while parking, standing, or stopping when within two hundred feet of any residential property.
3. The provisions of subdivision two of this section shall not apply when (a) the railroad is used to operate a loading, unloading or processing device; or (b) the railroad is parking, stopping or standing in a municipal parking lot.
4. The authority shall post signs relating to prohibited idling where practicable and include the maximum penalty that may be imposed for a violation of subdivision two of this section. Such signs shall be posted at other appropriate locations throughout the counties of Nassau and Suffolk, as jointly determined by the authority and the New York transit authority, including but not limited to, locations for which such coun-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06653-02-7
A. 8868 2
ties receive a substantial number of complaints of idling railroad engines.
5. In any proceeding relating to a violation of the restrictions on idling it shall not be a defense that a sign required by this section was absent at the time of the violation.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.