What's happening
This bill requires that among New York’s Port Authority commissioners, at least one must reside in the Hudson Valley counties and one in Nassau or Suffolk.
Why it matters
Expands regional representation. By requiring at least one commissioner from the Hudson Valley and one from Nassau or Suffolk, the bill ensures that areas outside New York City—where many Port Authority projects and impacts are felt—have a direct voice in decision-making.
Aims to balance urban and suburban interests. The new residency requirements may shift some influence away from New York City-centric priorities, potentially leading to greater attention to regional transportation, infrastructure, and economic development needs.
Could affect policy outcomes. Commissioners from different regions may bring diverse perspectives and priorities to the Port Authority, influencing decisions on issues like airport management, bridge/tunnel tolls, and regional transit investments.
Requires New Jersey’s agreement. The bill will only take effect if New Jersey passes similar legislation, highlighting the bi-state nature of the Port Authority and the need for cross-state cooperation in governance reforms.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Add Upstate, Long Island Commissioners
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
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.
Expand Port Authority Representation
In Senate Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor James Skoufis
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2398
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 22, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ZEBROWSKI, GUNTHER, JAFFEE, BRABENEC -- Multi- Sponsored by -- M. of A. McDONOUGH, RAIA, THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend chapter 154 of the laws of 1921, relating to the port authority of New York and New Jersey, in relation to the commissioners of such authority
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Article 4 of section 1 of chapter 154 of the laws of 1921, relating to the port authority of New York and New Jersey, as amended by chapter 419 of the laws of 1930, is amended to read as follows:
ARTICLE IV
The port authority shall consist of twelve commissioners, six resident voters from the state of New York, [at least] four of whom shall be resident voters of the city of New York, one of whom shall be a resident voter from either the county of Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster or Westchester and one of whom shall be a resident voter from either the county of Nassau or Suffolk, and six resident voters from the state of New Jersey, at least four of whom shall be resident voters within the New Jersey portion of the district, the New York members to be chosen by the state of New York and the New Jersey members by the state of New Jersey in the manner and for the terms fixed and determined from time to time by the legislature of each state respectively, except as herein provided. Each commissioner may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state from which he shall be appointed.
§ 2. Subdivision 1 of article 4 of section 1 of chapter 154 of the laws of 1921, relating to the port authority of New York and New Jersey, as amended by chapter 559 of the laws of 2015, is amended to read as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01561-02-9
A. 2398 2
1. Commissioners. The port authority shall consist of twelve commissioners, six resident voters from the state of New York, [at least] four of whom shall be resident voters of the city of New York, one of whom shall be a resident voter from either the county of Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster or Westchester and one of whom shall be a resident voter from either the county of Nassau or Suffolk and six resident voters from the state of New Jersey, at least four of whom shall be resident voters within the New Jersey portion of the district, the New York members to be chosen by the state of New York and the New Jersey members by the state of New Jersey in the manner and for the terms fixed and determined from time to time by the legislature of each state respectively, except as herein provided. Each commissioner may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state from which he shall be appointed.
§ 3. 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, section one of this act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, if chapter 559 of the laws of 2015 shall not have taken effect on or before such date then section two of this act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as such chapter of the laws of 2015 takes effect, provided further, that the chairperson of the port authority shall notify the legislative bill drafting commission upon the enactment into law of such legislation by both such states 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 effecting the provisions of section 44 of the legislative law and section 70-b of the public officers law.
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.