What's happening
This bill expands the Long Island Rail Road no fare program to include all peace officers employed by the first and second departments.
Why it matters
Expanding free LIRR rides to all peace officers in the first and second departments increases the number of uniformed personnel eligible for this benefit. , which could lead to a greater security presence on trains and platforms, potentially deterring crime or improving emergency response.
The bill could have budgetary implications for the MTA and Long Island Rail Road. , as more riders will be traveling without paying fares, leading to a possible decrease in fare revenue unless offset by increased safety or other benefits.
This expansion acknowledges and values the role of peace officers beyond traditional police departments. , reflecting a broader definition of public safety personnel and possibly boosting morale and retention within these roles.
By requiring registration and periodic re-validation for participating officers, the legislation aims to balance expanded access with accountability. , ensuring that the program is used appropriately and that the presence of officers is effectively tracked.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Free LIRR Rides for Officers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 3
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to transportation
- Print number 6156a
- Amend (t) and recommit 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 LIRR Rides for Officers
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Steven Englebright
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6156--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 11, 2017
Introduced by Sens. CROCI, KAMINSKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation -committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to including all peace officers employed by the first and second departments in the MTA Long Island Rail Road no fare program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 14 of section 1266 of the public authorities law, as amended by chapter 182 of the laws of 2013, is amended to read as follows:
14. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law or the terms of any contract, the authority, in consultation with the Long Island Rail Road, shall establish and implement a no fare program for transportation on the Long Island Rail Road for police officers employed by the city of New York, county of Nassau, Nassau county villages and cities, county of Suffolk, Suffolk county villages and towns, the division of state police, the port authority of New York and New Jersey, the Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company, the New York city housing authority [and], the New York city transit authority and all peace officers employed by the first and second departments. In establishing such program, which has as its goal increased protection and improved safety for its commuters, the authority and the Long Island Rail Road shall, among other things, consider: (a) requiring police officers who ride without cost to register with the Long Island Rail Road as a condition of riding without cost; (b) requiring such officers to indicate during such registration process their regular working hours and the Long Island Rail Road trains that such officers expect to ride; and (c) periodically re-registering and re-validating such officers. The authority and the Long Island Rail Road shall also have the power to consider other matters necessary to carry out the goals and objectives of this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11685-02-7
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, in relation to including all peace officers employed by the first and second departments in the MTA Long Island Rail Road no fare program
Purpose
To include all peace officers of the first and second judicial departments in the MTA Long Island Railroad no fare program.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one amends subdivision 14 of section 1266 of the public authorities law by adding all uniformed court personnel of the first and second departments to the no fare program for transportation on the Long Island Rail Road.
Section two is the effective date.
Justification
Peace officers of the first and second departments are charged with providing security and maintaining order within the New York State Court System. Peace officers that utilize the MTA Long Island Railroad enhance passenger safety through their presence as law enforcement. Currently, police officers employed by the city of New York, Nassau and Suffolk; police officers of the cities, towns and villages of Nassau and Suffolk; State Police Officers; Port Authority Officers and other NYC Peace Officers are included in the MTA Long Island Railroad no fare program. By allowing all uniformed court personnel of the first and second departments' access to this no fare program, the state of New York will be recognizing the important role these officers have with regard to public protection and public safety.
Prior legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.