What's happening
This bill exempts honorably discharged U.S. veterans from New York State Thruway tolls and provides reimbursement for lost revenue.
Why it matters
Expands recognition and support for veterans. by granting a tangible benefit—free Thruway travel—which may help ease transportation costs for those who served, especially those on fixed incomes or traveling for medical care, work, or veterans' services.
Sets a precedent for state-level veteran benefits. ; New York could become a model for other states to follow, potentially encouraging broader discussions about state and local support for veterans beyond federal benefits.
Mitigates financial impact on the Thruway Authority. by mandating state reimbursement (up to $100,000 per year), balancing support for veterans with the fiscal stability of the toll system and ensuring the Authority isn’t disincentivized from honoring this exemption.
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Free Thruway Tolls for Veterans
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
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.
Free Thruway Tolls for Veterans
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Brian Kolb
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2563
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 13, 2017
Introduced by Sen. HELMING -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law and the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the exemption of certain veterans from tolls collected by the New York state thruway authority
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 1 of section 361 of the public authorities law, as amended by chapter 621 of the laws of 1998, is amended to read as follows:
(a) In addition to the powers conferred by the vehicle and traffic law, the authority is hereby authorized to promulgate such rules and regulations for the use and occupancy of the thruway as may be necessary and proper for the public safety and convenience, for the preservation of its property and for the collection of tolls and provided further that the authority, in consultation with the departments of environmental conservation and transportation, is hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement a heavy duty vehicle roadside inspection program pursuant to section 19-0320 of the environmental conservation law. Such rules and regulations shall authorize the exemption from the collection of such tolls upon honorably discharged veterans of the armed forces of the United States. Such exemption shall be in such form and manner as the commissioner may provide.
§ 2. Subdivision 4 of section 1630 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended to read as follows:
4. Charging of tolls, taxes, fees, licenses or permits for the use of the highway or any of its parts, where the imposition thereof is authorized by law. No such toll shall be imposed by the New York state thruway authority upon honorably discharged veterans of the armed forces of the United States.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08083-01-7
S. 2563 2
§ 3. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commissioner of transportation is authorized and directed to reimburse the New York state thruway authority for any loss in net revenue, up to one hundred thousand dollars per fiscal year, due to the exemption from tolls upon honorably discharged veterans of the armed forces of the United States authorized pursuant to paragraph (a) of subdivision 1 of section 361 of the public authorities law.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law except that any rule or regulation necessary for the timely implementation of this act on its effective date shall be promulgated on or before such date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public authorities law and the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the exemption of certain veterans from tolls collected by the New York state thruway authority
Purpose or general idea of bill
Provides for the exemption of honorably discharged U.S. veterans from payment of New York Thruway tolls.
Summary of specific provisions
Subdivision 4 of section 1630 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended to read as follows: Charging of tolls, taxes, fees, licenses or permits for the use of the highway or any of its parts, where the imposition thereof is authorized by law. No such toll shall be imposed by the New York state thruway authority upon honorably discharged veterans of the armed forces of the United States. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commissioner of transportation is authorized and directed to reimburse the New York state thruway authority for any loss in net revenue, up to one hundred thousand dollars per fiscal, due to the exemption from tolls upon honorably discharged veterans of the armed forces of the United States.
Justification
The bill would provide a benefit to those who have honorably served our country at a nominal cost. Passage of this bill would not only provide recognition to former service men, but would also provide another incentive to individuals considering joining the military.
Prior legislative history
2001/2002: A.5982 Referred to Corporations, Authorities, Commissions 2003/2004: A.5599, 2007/2008: S.4846, 2009/2010: S.2683-A, 2011/2012: S.460, 2013/2014: S.3311 2015/2016: S.2216
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
120 days after enactment.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.