What's happening
This bill expands theft of services laws to include nonpayment of tolls for highways, parkways, roads, bridges, or tunnels.
Why it matters
Criminalizes Toll Evasion. By adding toll nonpayment to theft of services, the bill makes it a criminal offense to intentionally avoid paying tolls, putting it on par with fare evasion for other public transport. This could mean criminal charges for repeat or intentional toll skippers.
Targets a Growing Problem. With the rise of cashless tolling and automated systems, toll evasion has become easier and more common. The bill aims to deter this behavior by giving law enforcement stronger tools to pursue violators.
Potential for Increased Enforcement. The law could lead to more aggressive enforcement and prosecution of toll evasion, potentially resulting in more arrests or criminal records for offenders. This may have broader consequences for individuals, such as impacts on employment or immigration status.
Revenue Protection for Public Infrastructure. By treating toll evasion as theft of services, the bill seeks to protect state and local revenue streams used for road, bridge, and tunnel maintenance and improvements, which could benefit all users of public infrastructure.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Toll Dodging
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to codes
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to codes
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 54–9
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.74
- Referred to codes
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.
Crack Down on Toll Cheating
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Kenneth Zebrowski
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
711
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 4, 2017
Introduced by Sen. CARLUCCI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to theft of services
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 165.15 of the penal law is amended to read as follows:
3. With intent to obtain railroad, subway, bus, air, taxi or any other public transportation service or to use any highway, parkway, road, bridge or tunnel without payment of the lawful charge or toll therefor, or to avoid payment of the lawful charge or toll for such transportation service which has been rendered to him or her or for such use of any highway, parkway, road, bridge or tunnel, he or she obtains or attempts to obtain such service or use or avoids or attempts to avoid payment therefor by force, intimidation, stealth, deception or mechanical tampering, or by unjustifiable failure or refusal to pay; or
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01846-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to theft of services
Purpose
To address the problem of toll evasion by clarifying that avoidance of tolls on a toll road, bridge or tunnel constitutes theft of services.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Amends subdivision 3 of section 165.15 of the penal law to make clear that theft of public transportation services shall include avoidance of tolls on a toll road, bridge or tunnel.
Section 2. Effective date.
Justification
Several public authorities in New York have implemented the electronic toll collection system commonly referred to as E-ZPass. The E-ZPass system has increased customer convenience while reducing travel time, fuel consumption and potential back-ups at toll plazas for the Thruway Authority and other public authorities.
While the benefits of E-ZPass are numerous, it does provide opportunities for abuse. Those who are not E-ZPass subscribers can evade tolls by driving through lanes designated for that purpose. This legislation takes a comprehensive approach to addressing the problem of toll evasion by clarifying the existing theft of services offense to make clear that it also includes avoidance of paying tolls on any road, bridge or tunnel that requires them.
This bill would strengthen the ability of New York's four authorities that operate toll facilities-the Thruway Authority, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Bridge Authority, and the Port Authority-to effectively manage and enforce the collection of tolls throughout the State. Toll violators cost the tolling authorities tens of millions of dollars each year, and the current law is outdated and ineffective in enforcing against persistent violators. Some persistent violators owe in excess of $100,000 in tolls and fees.
Legislative history
2015-16: S2018/A3587 - Passed Senate/codes 2014: S7602 - Passed Senate
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day 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.