What's happening
This bill establishes a toll advisory task force to review and recommend changes to New York State thruway toll policies.
Why it matters
Direct public input is mandated. By requiring at least four public hearings—including in Rockland and Westchester counties—the bill ensures local residents, commuters, and businesses have a formal chance to voice concerns or support, potentially improving the responsiveness and legitimacy of toll policies.
Focus on affordability and equity. The task force will specifically review discount programs for commuters and residents, which could lead to targeted changes aimed at reducing toll burdens for frequent local travelers and potentially addressing regional disparities in toll costs.
Commercial vehicle impact. By including commercial vehicle rates in its review, the task force could propose changes that affect shipping costs, the trucking industry, and ultimately consumer prices for goods transported via the thruway.
Implications for major infrastructure funding. The bill directs the task force to examine possible toll increases in relation to funding for the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, highlighting the tension between keeping tolls affordable and generating revenue for large transportation projects.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study Bridge Toll Discounts
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 38
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to transportation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 48–14
- Ordered to third reading cal.1602
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- 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.
Study Bridge and Road Tolls
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Kenneth Zebrowski
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4664
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 20, 2019
Introduced by Sen. CARLUCCI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to establish the toll advisory task force, and providing for the powers and duties thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Toll advisory task force. 1. The commissioner of transportation and the chairman of the New York state thruway authority shall convene a toll advisory task force to review the New York state thruway authority's current toll rates, commuter discount options, resident discount programs and commercial vehicle rates in order to ensure affordable travel on the toll roads and bridges within the state.
2. Such task force shall consist of eight members. Such members shall be as follows: two members appointed by the governor; two members appointed by the temporary president of the senate; two members appointed by the speaker of the assembly; the commissioner of transportation, or his or her designee; and the chairman of the New York state thruway authority, or his or her designee.
3. The task force shall be co-chaired by the commissioner of transportation and the chairman of the New York state thruway authority, or their designees.
4. The goals of the task force shall include, but are not limited to, the study and evaluation of the New York state thruway authority's:
(a) current toll rates;
(b) commuter discount programs;
(c) resident discount programs;
(d) rates issued for commercial vehicles;
(e) any other special toll discount plans; and
(f) potential toll increases as related to funding for the Governor Mario M. Cuomo bridge.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01230-01-9
S. 4664 2
5. The task force shall hold a minimum of four public hearings. At least one public hearing shall be held in the county of Rockland and one public hearing shall be held in the county of Westchester. During the public hearings, the task force shall hear the testimony of voluntary witnesses, shall provide an opportunity for public comment, and may request the production of any documents the task force deems reasonably necessary to carry out its responsibilities.
6. The task force shall make a report to the governor and the legislature of its findings, conclusions and recommendations on or before December 31, 2020.
§ 2. 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 establish the toll advisory task force, and providing for the powers and duties thereof
Purpose or general idea of the bill
Establishes the Toll Advisory Task Force to study and report upon the current road and bridge toll rates, commuter discounts, resident discounts, and funding for the Governor Mario M. Cuomo bridge.
Summary of provisions
Section one of the bill creates the Toll Advisory Task Force requiring the commissioner of transportation and the chairperson of the thruway authority to convene a Toll Advisory Task Force to review toll rates, commuter discount options, resident discount programs, and commercial vehicle rates in order to ensure affordable travel on New York roads and bridges.
The task force shall be made up of eight members and shall hold at least four public hearings. The task force shall be required to make a report on their findings by December 31, 2020.
Section two of the bill relates to the effective date.
Justification
Currently, a toll freeze is in place until 2020. In connection with that freeze, the Thruway Authority committed to convene a toll advisory task force by the end of 2016 and hold hearings on the topic of a resident toll discount as well as other cost-saving measures for toll-payers on the Governor Mario M. Cuomo bridge and the Thruway as a whole. However, this task force never convened nor did it ever hold any public hearings. This is concerning because the freeze that is in place is costing the state over a billion dollars and once lifted, it will have to be compen- sated for in some way, likely through increased tolls or taxpayer dollars.
The Toll Advisory Task Force will therefore be tasked with reviewing toll rates, potential commuter discount options, a resident discount program, commercial vehicle rates, and ways to properly secure funding for the Governor Mario M. Cuomo bridge. Through this task force, thruway users and taxpayers concerns regarding the Thruway and the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge will be addressed.
Legislative history
A.8437A of 2017-18
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.