What's happening
This bill authorizes the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to control helicopter routes within its jurisdiction, pending New Jersey's passage of similar legislation.
Why it matters
Potential for Increased Local Control. Giving the Port Authority power over helicopter routes could allow for more direct responses to noise complaints, safety concerns, and community impacts, rather than leaving these decisions solely to federal authorities.
Regional Coordination Requirement. The bill's effectiveness hinges on New Jersey passing an identical law, highlighting the need for cross-state cooperation and potentially delaying or complicating implementation if both states don't act together.
Implications for Helicopter Operators and Commuters. Operators may face new route restrictions or regulations, which could affect scheduling, costs, routes used, and accessibility for both tourism and business travel in the New York-New Jersey region.
Precedent for Localized Airspace Management. If enacted, this could set a precedent for other bi-state or local agencies seeking more control over airspace management, possibly influencing federal-local relations and future legislation elsewhere.
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Who cares
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
The bill would authorize and direct the agency to acquire authority and control over helicopter routes within its jurisdiction.
Helicopter operators
Operators flying within the Port Authority’s jurisdiction would have their routes subject to its control.
New Jersey lawmakers
The bill’s effective date would depend on New Jersey enacting legislation with an identical effect.
Headline styles
Control Helicopter Flight Paths
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Referred to rules
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6875
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
September 18, 2017
Introduced by Sen. AVELLA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT authorizing and directing the port authority of New York and New Jersey to control helicopter routes
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is hereby authorized and directed to acquire authority and control over helicopter routes which travel through the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's jurisdiction when such helicopters are within such jurisdiction.
§ 2. This act shall take effect upon the enactment into law by the state of New Jersey of legislation having an identical effect with this act, but if the state of New Jersey shall have already enacted such legislation, then it shall take effect immediately; provided that the state of New Jersey shall notify the legislative bill drafting commission upon the occurrence of the enactment of the legislation provided for in section one of this act in order that the commission may maintain an accurate and timely effective data base of the official text of the laws of the state of New York in furtherance of effectuating the provisions of section 44 of the legislative law and section 70-b of the public officers law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13385-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act authorizing and directing the port authority of New York and New Jersey to control helicopter routes
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to authorize and direct the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to acquire authority and control over heli- copter routes that travel through its jurisdiction.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of this bill authorizes and directs the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to acquire authority and control over helicopter routes that travel through its jurisdiction.
Section 2 of this bill states that this act shall take effect upon the enactment of identical legislation by the state of New Jersey, but if the state of New Jersey has already enacted such legislation, then it shall take effect immediately provided that the state of New Jersey has notified the legislative bill drafting commission of this occurrence.
Justification
Frequent helicopter traffic can negatively affect the quality of life for the communities that they fly over. The negative effects of these routes include decreased home values and noise pollution. It is clear that New York state must do a better job of managing the routes that helicopters take as to balance the convenience of flight routes with the concerns of those communities effected by helicopter traffic.
Granting authority to the Port Authority to control helicopter routes within its jurisdiction will allow for better control of the noise pollution and quality of life issues that helicopter traffic creates. By increasing regulations of these routes, we can minimize the negative effects to quality of life to residents that while still maintaining efficient helicopter routes.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately after it shall have become a law
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.