What's happening
This bill requires an independent economic impact statement before any toll increases on Port Authority bridges or tunnels in New York.
Why it matters
Requires independent analysis. The bill mandates that any proposed toll increase must be evaluated by an independent contractor, not by the Port Authority itself, which could reduce conflicts of interest and bring more objectivity to the process.
Focuses on local economic impacts. The required economic impact statement must assess how toll hikes would affect all communities touched by the bridges and tunnels, potentially highlighting burdens on commuters, local businesses, and regional economies.
Delays immediate toll hikes. By instituting a minimum 30-day waiting period after the economic impact statement is issued, the bill gives the public and policymakers more time to review and respond to potential increases, enhancing transparency and public input.
Requires action from both states. The law only takes effect if New Jersey passes similar legislation, ensuring that both sides of the Port Authority partnership operate under the same rules and preventing regulatory loopholes.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Toll Impact Studies
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-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.
Require Toll Hike Impact Study
In Senate Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Andrew J. Lanza
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
949
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 14, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. CUSICK, COLTON, ABBATE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend chapter 47 of the laws of 1931 relating to declaring the policy of the states of New York and New Jersey in regard to certain vehicular bridges and tunnels within the port of New York district, in relation to economic impact statements prior to the increase of tolls for the use of bridges and tunnels
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The opening paragraph of section 11 of chapter 47 of the laws of 1931 relating to declaring the policy of the states of New York and New Jersey in regard to certain vehicular bridges and tunnels within the port of New York district, as amended by chapter 807 of the laws of 1955, is amended to read as follows:
The port authority is hereby authorized to make and enforce such rules and regulations and to establish, levy and collect such tolls and other charges in connection with any vehicular bridges and tunnels which it may now or hereafter be authorized to own, construct, operate or control (including the said Holland tunnel and the said Midtown Hudson tunnel), as it may deem necessary, proper or desirable, which said tolls and charges shall be at least sufficient to meet the expenses of the construction, operation and maintenance thereof, and to provide for the payment of, with interest upon, and the amortization and retirement of bonds or other securities or obligations issued or incurred for bridge or tunnel purposes. There shall be allocated to the cost of the construction, operation and maintenance of such bridges and tunnels, such proportion of the general expenses of the port authority as it shall deemed properly chargeable thereto. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no toll or other charge in connection with any vehicular bridge or tunnel shall be increased until not less than thirty days after the issuance of an economic impact statement on
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00172-01-9
A. 949 2
the proposed increase. Such economic impact statement shall be issued by an independent contractor engaged by the authority based on a study of the economic impact of such proposed increase of the toll or other charge upon all communities affected thereby.
§ 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, this act 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.
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.