What's happening
This bill exempts the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority from bond issuance charges to support its operations and maintenance.
Why it matters
Relieves the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) from fees tied to issuing bonds, freeing up more of its budget for transit operations and maintenance. This could allow the RGRTA to allocate savings directly to improving or maintaining current service levels rather than paying state-imposed administrative costs.
Addresses a regional funding disparity. The bill’s intent language highlights that, unlike the New York City area’s transit systems, Rochester-Genesee’s transit has not seen similar state support, suggesting this exemption is aimed at correcting an imbalance and supporting upstate transit riders.
Reduces the risk of service cuts for local transit users. By explicitly stating that savings should be used to prevent further reductions in service, the legislation aims to protect and potentially enhance public transit access for the Rochester-Genesee region’s residents.
Could set a precedent for other regional transit authorities. If successful, this exemption might encourage similar measures for other upstate or non-NYC transit agencies seeking relief from state-imposed financial burdens.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
End RGRTA Bond Fees
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2952
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 31, 2019
Introduced by Sens. RANZENHOFER, FUNKE, GALLIVAN, ROBACH -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to exempting the Rochester-Genesee regional transportation authority from bond issuance charges
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative intent. Over the past several years, while support of mass transit in the greater New York City metropolitan area has expanded, state support for regional transit in the greater Rochester Genesee area has not seen similar support. This lack of support has adversely impacted mass transit riders in the greater Rochester Genesee region serviced by the Rochester-Genesee regional transportation authority (RGRTA). It is the intent of the legislature that the RGRTA use the savings that accrue from this act for maintenance and operations and to ensure that mass transit riders do not face any further service cuts.
§ 2. Subdivision 4 of section 2976 of the public authorities law, as added by section 12 of part E of chapter 494 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows:
4. The provisions of subdivisions one and two of this section shall not apply to bonds issued by the Rochester-Genesee regional transportation authority and to recovery act bonds issued by the state of New York municipal bond bank agency in connection with local American Recovery and Reinvestment Act pursuant to section two thousand four hundred thirty-six-b of this chapter.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01619-01-9
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 exempting the Rochester-Genesee regional transportation authority from bond issuance charges
Purpose
To exempt the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) from bond issuance fees required under current law.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of the bill states the Legislative intent.
Section 2 of the bill amends subdivision 4 of section 2976 of the Public Authorities Law to exempt the RGRTA from the state bond issuance charge
Section 3 of the bill provides that this act shall take effect imme- diately.
Existing law
Currently, bonds issued by the RGRTA are subject to the bond issuance charge imposed by Public Authorities Law section 2976.
Justification
This proposal will reduce the cost of doing business for the RGRTA, and thus offer more funds to provide better service and maintenance and reduce the need for future fare and toll increases.
Prior legislative history
2014 - S.6892 - PASSED SENATE 2015-16 - S.3386 - PASSED SENATE 2017-18 - S.3143 - PASSED SENATE/RULES
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
This bill shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.