What's happening
This bill requires at least one Port Authority commissioner from Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, or Westchester, and one from Nassau or Suffolk counties.
Why it matters
Broadens regional representation. By mandating that at least one commissioner come from either Nassau or Suffolk, and another from Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, or Westchester counties, the bill ensures that Long Island and the Mid-Hudson/Lower Hudson Valley have a direct voice in Port Authority decisions—areas that are heavily impacted by the agency’s transportation, infrastructure, and economic activities.
Potentially shifts priorities and resource allocation. Including commissioners from these regions could influence the Port Authority to pay greater attention to projects, services, and investments that affect suburban and exurban communities, such as commuter rail, airport access, and freight movement—potentially balancing the historical focus on New York City-centric interests.
Reflects changing demographic and economic realities. The populations of Long Island and the Hudson Valley have grown and their economic interdependence with New York City has deepened; this change in commissioner distribution acknowledges and may help address cross-regional challenges like congestion, environmental concerns, and equitable infrastructure development.
Promotes accountability and public trust. By requiring geographic diversity among commissioners, the bill could increase transparency and responsiveness to a broader set of constituents, making the Port Authority’s decision-making process more inclusive and possibly improving public perception of its governance.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Port Authority Representation
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 39
No co-sponsors yet.
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.
Add Upstate, Long Island Commissioners
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Kenneth Zebrowski
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4909
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 29, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend chapter 154 of the laws of 1921, relating to the port authority of New York and New Jersey, in relation to the commissioners of such authority
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Article 4 of section 1 of chapter 154 of the laws of 1921, relating to the port authority of New York and New Jersey, as amended by chapter 419 of the laws of 1930, is amended to read as follows:
ARTICLE IV
The port authority shall consist of twelve commissioners, six resident voters from the state of New York, [at least] four of whom shall be resident voters of the city of New York, one of whom shall be a resident voter from either the county of Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster or Westchester and one of whom shall be a resident voter from either the county of Nassau or Suffolk, and six resident voters from the state of New Jersey, at least four of whom shall be resident voters within the New Jersey portion of the district, the New York members to be chosen by the state of New York and the New Jersey members by the state of New Jersey in the manner and for the terms fixed and determined from time to time by the legislature of each state respectively, except as herein provided. Each commissioner may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state from which he shall be appointed.
§ 2. Subdivision 1 of article 4 of section 1 of chapter 154 of the laws of 1921, relating to the port authority of New York and New Jersey, as amended by chapter 559 of the laws of 2015, is amended to read as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01561-02-9
S. 4909 2
1. Commissioners. The port authority shall consist of twelve commissioners, six resident voters from the state of New York, [at least] four of whom shall be resident voters of the city of New York, one of whom shall be a resident voter from either the county of Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster or Westchester and one of whom shall be a resident voter from either the county of Nassau or Suffolk and six resident voters from the state of New Jersey, at least four of whom shall be resident voters within the New Jersey portion of the district, the New York members to be chosen by the state of New York and the New Jersey members by the state of New Jersey in the manner and for the terms fixed and determined from time to time by the legislature of each state respectively, except as herein provided. Each commissioner may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state from which he shall be appointed.
§ 3. 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, section one of this act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, if chapter 559 of the laws of 2015 shall not have taken effect on or before such date then section two of this act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as such chapter of the laws of 2015 takes effect, provided further, that the chairperson of the port authority shall notify the legislative bill drafting commission upon the enactment into law of such legislation by both such states 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 effecting 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend chapter 154 of the laws of 1921, relating to the port authority of New York and New Jersey, in relation to the commissioners of such authority
Purpose
The purpose of this bill would be to assign one of the two non-designat- ed seats to a Hudson Valley resident voter and the other non-designated seat to be a resident voter of Long Island. This would allow represen- tation from the Hudson Valley and Long Island to voice the concerns of local residents of these areas.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends article 4 of section 1 of chapter 154 of the laws of 1921 as it relates to assigning one of the two non-designated seats on the Port Authority board to a resident voter in one of the seven Hudson Valley counties (Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, Ulster, and Sullivan). It requires the other non-designated seat to be filled by resident voter of Long Island (Nassau or Suffolk Counties).
Justification
In November 2007 the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey assumed a 99 year lease of Stewart International Airport in New Windsor, 141. It would be beneficial to both the residents of the Hudson Valley and the Port Authority to create a permanent seat for a Hudson Valley commis- sioner. This will allow residents of the Hudson Valley to have a voice in the Port Authority through a permanent seat. It will benefit the Port Authority by allowing them to more intelligently manage its diverse geographical operations. Similarly, requiring that the Port Authority Board contain a geographical balance by including a member from Long Island is an important objective.
Legislative history
Assembly A.1477 of 2017-18 - Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commis- sions A.1717 of 2015-2016 - Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commis- sions A.1437 of 2013-2014 - Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commis- sions A.2214 of 2011-12 - Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commis- sions A.8084 of 2009-10 - Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commis- sions
Senate S.1531 of 2009-10 - Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commis- sions
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
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.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.