What's happening
This bill increases pilotage fees for vessels in certain New York waters through 2032.
Why it matters
Affects commercial shipping costs in Long Island Sound/Block Island Sound. This bill directly impacts all vessels transiting these key New York waters east of Execution Rocks or Sand Point, a major shipping corridor for goods entering and leaving the greater New York metropolitan area.
Significantly increases fees over a multi-year period. The legislation introduces a schedule of annual pilotage fee increases through 2032, with rates rising from $10.89 per pilotage unit in 2026 to $13.91 per unit by 2032—a substantial increase compared to the previous incremental rate changes.
Impacts shipping companies, pilots, and potentially consumers. Higher pilotage fees will increase operational costs for shipping companies, may boost compensation or resources for maritime pilots, and could ultimately affect the price of goods transported through these waters, with possible downstream effects for regional businesses and consumers.
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Who cares
Commercial Shipping and Maritime Companies
Companies operating vessels through Long Island Sound or Block Island Sound will be directly affected by the increased pilotage fees per unit, impacting their operating costs.
Licensed Maritime Pilots and Pilot Associations
Pilots who guide vessels through these state waters stand to benefit from higher pilotage fees, potentially improving their compensation and resources for training or safety.
Importers, Exporters, and Freight Forwarders
Businesses relying on goods transported through these waters may see increased shipping costs, which could affect pricing and logistics strategies.
Port Authorities and Local Economies
Entities managing ports and local governments may care about the bill's effects on shipping traffic, regional competitiveness, and potential economic impacts if higher fees influence shipping patterns.
Headline styles
Raise Pilotage Fees Gradually
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Returned to assembly
- Passed senateVote 58–3
- 3rd reading cal.1678
- Substituted for S10275
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.246
- Rules report cal.246
- Reported
- Reported referred to rules
- Reported referred to ways and means
Show 1 earlier action
- 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.
Raise Pilotage Fees
Senate Floor Calendar · Sponsor Monica Martinez
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
11188
IN ASSEMBLY
May 1, 2026
Introduced by M. of A. LAVINE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT An act to amend the navigation law, in relation to pilotage fees on vessels transiting the New York state waters of Long Island Sound or Block Island Sound east of Execution Rocks of Sand Point
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraph 1 of paragraph (b) of subdivision 4 of section 89-b of the navigation law, as amended by chapter 427 of the laws of 2022, is amended to read as follows:
(1) Upon the effective date of this paragraph and thereafter:
All vessels shall pay [eight dollars and eighty-six cents per pilotage unit; from January first, two thousand twenty-three until January first, two thousand twenty-four all vessels shall pay nine dollars and ninetyseven cents per pilotage unit; from January first, two thousand twentyfour until January first, two thousand twenty-five, all vessels shall pay ten dollars and twenty-seven cents per pilotage unit; from January first, two thousand twenty-five until January first, two thousand twenty-six all vessels shall pay ten dollars and fifty-eight cents per pilotage unit; from January first, two thousand twenty-six until January first, two thousand twenty-seven all vessels shall pay] ten dollars and eighty-nine cents per pilotage unit; [on and after] from January first, two thousand twenty-seven until January first, two thousand twenty-eight all vessels shall pay eleven dollars and twenty-two cents per pilotage unit; from January first, two thousand twenty-eight until January first, two thousand twenty-nine, all vessels shall pay eleven dollars and eighty-nine cents per pilotage unit; from January first, two thousand twenty-nine until January first, two thousand thirty all vessels shall pay twelve dollars and thirty-seven cents per pilotage unit; from January first, two thousand thirty until January first, two thousand thirty-one all vessels shall pay twelve dollars and eighty-six cents per pilotage unit; from January first, two thousand thirty-one until January first, two thousand thirty-two all vessels shall pay thirteen dollars and thirty-eight cents per pilotage unit; on and after January first, two thousand thirty-two all vessels shall pay [eleven dollars and twenty-two cents] thirteen dollars and ninety-one cents per pilotage unit.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15733-01-6
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.