What's happening
The bill allows county boards in New York to require ferries to transport uniformed armed forces members for free within the state.
Why it matters
Provides local flexibility. By allowing county boards to make this decision, the bill empowers local governments to tailor ferry fare policies for service members based on local needs and circumstances, rather than imposing a statewide mandate.
Potential financial impact on ferry operators. The requirement for free transportation of uniformed armed forces members could reduce revenue for privately or county-operated ferries, which may affect their finances or lead to adjustments in fare structures for other passengers.
Explicit exclusion of certain municipal ferries. The bill specifically excludes ferries owned or operated by municipalities already governed by section 104 of the transportation law, preventing overlapping or conflicting regulations for those services.
Recognizes and supports military service. By offering free ferry rides to uniformed armed forces members, the bill aims to honor and facilitate the mobility of those serving in the military, potentially making commutes or travel within the state easier for them.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Free Ferry Rides for Military
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Print number 4315a
- Amend (t) and recommit to transportation
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
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.
Free Ferry Rides for Soldiers
In Assembly Committee · Rules · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 4315--A A. 6365--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
March 7, 2019
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation -- recommitted to the Committee on Transportation in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation -- recommitted to the Committee on Transportation in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the highway law, in relation to providing that a county board of supervisors shall be authorized to require that a ferry shall carry without charge or fee of any kind for transportation any member of the United States armed forces in uniform during their term of enlistment in the service of the United States
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 131-g of the highway law, as amended by chapter 897 of the laws of 1971, is amended to read as follows:
§ 131-g. Regulation of toll rates. 1. Such boards shall have power by a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to authorize an alteration, reduction or change of the rates of toll charged or received by any turnpike, plank or gravel road, or other toll road within such county, or by any bridge company or ferry within such county, or, if within more than one county, then by joint action with the supervisors of such counties, provided such alteration shall be asked for by the directors, trustees or owners of such road, bridge or ferry; but that no increase of toll shall be so authorized unless notice of such proposed increase shall have been published once each week for three successive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in each town in which such road or
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03221-02-0
S. 4315--A 2 A. 6365--A
bridge is located or in which such ferry is operated, commencing at least thirty days prior to the date of such authorization; and any alteration in rates of toll authorized by any board of supervisors may be changed or modified by any subsequent board, on their own motion, by a like vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to such board; but nothing [herein] in this section contained shall affect or abridge the powers of any city.
2. In the case of rates of toll for a ferry, such boards shall be authorized to adopt a local law to provide that a ferry shall carry without charge or fee of any kind for transportation between points wholly within the state of New York any member of the United States armed forces in uniform during their term of enlistment in the service of the United States. Provided, however, that the provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to a ferry owned or operated by a municipality that is subject to the provisions of section one hundred four of the transportation law.
§ 2. Severability. The provisions of this act shall be severable and if any portion thereof or the applicability thereof to any person or circumstances shall be held invalid, the remainder of this act and the application thereof shall not be affected thereby.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the highway law, in relation to providing that a county board of supervisors shall be authorized to require that a ferry shall carry without charge or fee of any kind for transportation any member of the United States armed forces in uniform during their term of enlist- ment in the service of the United States
Purpose
To authorize a county board of supervisors to require ferries operating within such county to provide free transportation to any member of the United States armed forces in uniform during their term of enlistment in the service of the State or the United States.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends section 131-g of the highway law to authorize a county board of supervisors to require ferries operating within such county to carry without charge or fee of any kind for transportation any member of the United States armed forces in uniform during their term of enlist- ment in the service of the United States, excluding municipal ferries that are subject to the provisions of section 104 of the transportation law.
Section 2 severability.
Section 3 is the effective date (immediately).
Justification
Our nation's service men and service women provide an invaluable service to our country and the State of New York, putting their lives at risk every day for the greater good. This bill would allow a County, at their discretion, to require a waiver of charges or fees for ferry transporta- tion for these dedicated service members.
Legislative history
2017-18 S.5133A/A.6547A
Fiscal implications
To be determined
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.