What's happening
This bill exempts farmers transporting food to New York City from tolls and congestion pricing, pending state funding.
Why it matters
Reduces farm-to-city transportation costs. By exempting farmers and food producers from tolls and congestion pricing when delivering food into New York City, the bill aims to lower transportation expenses, potentially making local food more accessible and affordable for city residents.
Supports New York State agriculture. This measure could improve the competitiveness of New York State farmers and food producers in the NYC market, encouraging the sale and distribution of locally grown and produced food, and strengthening the state's agricultural economy.
Contingent on state funding. The exemption is only granted if the state allocates specific funds for this purpose in the 2021-2022 fiscal year, making its implementation dependent on legislative budget priorities and annual appropriations.
Requires verification process. The New York State Thruway Authority must create a system to verify that those claiming the exemption are genuinely transporting New York-grown or produced food to the city for consumption, aiming to prevent abuse and ensure the benefit is targeted.
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
No Tolls for Farmers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
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.
No Tolls for Farmers
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Clifford Crouch
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4679
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 20, 2019
Introduced by Sen. ORTT -- 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 providing toll exemptions for farmers transporting their goods to the city of New York
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section 2858 to read as follows:
§ 2858. Exemptions from tolls. 1. Subject to an appropriation made therefor during the two thousand twenty-one -- two thousand twenty-two state fiscal year, any public authority under title nine of article two, title two of article three or title three of article three of this chapter, shall provide an exemption from any toll imposed by such authority for transportation across, on or through any bridge, road or tunnel, for any farmer or food producer who:
a. farms or produces food, including fish and fish products, on a property located in the state; and
b. is transporting such food to the city of New York for the purposes of consumption within such city.
2. Any person exempt from a toll pursuant to subdivision one of this section shall also be exempt from any congestion pricing plan implemented in the city of New York.
3. The New York state thruway authority shall establish acceptable forms of proof to show that an individual does, in fact, comply with paragraphs a and b of subdivision one of this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02988-01-9
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 providing toll exemptions for farmers transporting their goods to the city of New York
Purpose
Provides that farmers shall receive an exemption from tolls when trans- porting product to NYC for consumption in the city.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Public Authorities Law is amended by adding a new section 2858 to provide an exemption from any toll imposed by an authority for transportation across, on, or through any bridge, road, or tunnel, for any farmer or food producer who: a) farms or produces food, including fish and fish products, on a property located in the state of New York; and b.) is transporting such food to the city of New York for the purposes of consumption within such city. Any person exempt from a toll pursuant to this law shall also be exempt from any congestion pricing plan implemented in the City of New. York. The thruway authority shall establish acceptable forms of proof to show that an individual is in compliance with this law and is eligible for such an exemption. Subject to appropriation. Section 2: Establishes the effective date.
Justification
New York farmers struggle under the most stringent regulations and oner- ous taxes in the country, yet produce the highest quality product. Many of these products are marketed in various ways in New York City. Consum- ers are able to express their preference and purchase these products in many restaurants, bodegas and farmers markets. However, for the farmer to deliver their products to markets in the city, the fanner is subject to additiofial expenses of bridge tolls, tunnel tolls, and possibly an additional charge for delivery in certain areas of Manhattan. Farmers should be exempt from any toll imposed by public authority for transpor- tation across, on, or through any bridge, road, or tunnel for the purposes of consumption within the city. The cost of fuel is escalating along with the cost of tolls. Farmers are stressed with the price of gas to transport their products to the city for consumption to make little' profit after the cost of gas and tolls are included. To help offset .these expenses, farmers should be exempt from tolls when transporting product to NYC for consumption in the city.
Legislative history
2018: S.1739-A Referred to Corporations, Authorities & Commissions 2017: S.1739 Reported and Committed to Finance 2016: S.3067-A/A.1494-A Referred to Corporations, Authorities & Commis- sions 2015: S.3067/A.1494 Referred to Corporations, Authorities & Commissions 2013, 2014: S.2084/A.1749 Referred to Corporations, Authorities & Commissions 2011,2012: S.7421A.258A Referred to Corporations, Authorities & Commis- sions 2009,2010: S.2427/A.3628 Referred Corporations, Authorities & Commis- sions 2007,2008: S.7463/A.9917 Referred Transportation
Fiscal implications
Subject to appropriation.
Effective date
180 days after enactment into law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.