What's happening
This bill requires the MTA to hold additional public hearings if too many people are turned away due to insufficient seating, and mandates better accommodations for high-interest topics like fare increases or service reductions.
Why it matters
Ensures more meaningful public participation. By requiring additional hearings when over 75 people are turned away due to limited space, the bill addresses a major barrier that often prevents community members from voicing their concerns on important transit issues.
Improves transparency and accountability. The mandate to record the names and addresses of those unable to enter, and to notify them directly about a follow-up hearing, creates a documented process for public engagement and helps hold the MTA accountable for truly accessible hearings.
Recognizes the heightened importance of key issues. By presuming “substantial public interest” for fare hikes and service cuts, the bill ensures that especially controversial or impactful decisions are discussed in venues that can properly accommodate large crowds, reducing the perception that public input is being limited intentionally.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Guarantee Public Hearing Access
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 14
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- 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.
More Public Hearings Required
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Nily Rozic
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5351
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 29, 2019
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the conduct of public hearings by the metropolitan transportation authority
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1263 of the public authorities law is amended by adding a new subdivision 10 to read as follows:
10. Where a substantial number of persons are unable to attend a public hearing as the result of insufficient seating capacity, one subsequent, additional hearing shall be required in order to comply with public hearing requirements. Such subsequent hearing shall be held in reasonable proximity to the location of the hearing which did not provide adequate public accommodations. An officer or employee of the authority shall record the names and addresses of any interested persons who are unable to enter a hearing room due to capacity limitations and shall notify such persons by mail of the date and location of the subsequent hearing, in addition to any other hearing notice requirements. Where the authority determines that extensive public interest is anticipated regarding the issue being addressed, a required hearing shall be held in a venue designed to accommodate such public participation. The authority shall presume that there is a substantial public interest in fare increases or service reductions. For the purposes of this subdivision, "substantial number" shall be interpreted to mean more than seventy-five persons.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00820-01-9
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 the conduct of public hearings by the metropolitan transpor- tation authority
Purpose
To require the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to hold one addi- tional hearing in the event that a substantial number of attendees are unable to enter because of insufficient capacity.
Summary of provisions
Section I of the bill amends section 1263 of the public authorities law by adding a subdivision 10 requiring one subsequent additional hearing when seventy-five or more persons are unable to attend a Metropolitan Transportation Authority public hearing because of insufficient capacity of the hearing site.
Section II sets forth the effective date.
Justification
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) hearings are required by law to solicit public input on issues that profoundly affect riders and all New Yorkers. In order to effectively and adequately consider public opinion hearings must be truly open to the public. There have been MTA hearings at which a significant number of people wishing to testify have been unable to do so because of the size of the venue. These hearings do not fully meet the requirements for public input and should trigger an additional hearing.
Legislative history
2018:A01211(Rozic)- Corporations,Authorities and Commissions 2017:A01211(Rozic)- Corporations,Authorities and Commissions 2016:A00267(Rozic)- Corporations,Authorities and Commissions 2015:A00267(Rozic)- Corporations,Authorities and Commissions 2014:A02503(Rozic)-Corporations, Authorities and Commissions 2013:A02503(Rozic)-Corporations, Authorities and Commissions 2012:A03552(Kavanagh)-Corporations, Authorities and Commissions 2011:A03552(Kavanagh)-Corporations, Authorities and Commissions 2010:A08149A(Kavanagh)- Passed Assembly 2009:A08149A(Kavanagh)- Rules
Fiscal impact on the state
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.