S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4141--A
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 30, 2009
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ABBATE -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COOK,
HOOPER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations,
Authorities and Commissions -- committee discharged, bill amended,
ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT creating a first responder task force to improve the margin of
public safety on facilities of public transportation authorities by
increasing the ridership of specially trained first responder fire
officers, firefighters, paramedics and EMTS; and providing for the
repeal of certain provisions upon expiration thereof
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Legislative findings. The legislature finds that providing
safety for passengers who ride mass transit in our communities is a
crucial issue. Granting localities with the tools to provide such
protection to its citizens is one of the essential roles the state
plays.
S 2. First responder transportation task force. 1. There is hereby
created a thirteen-member task force on permitting all uniformed members
of the FDNY employed as emergency medical technicians (EMTs), advanced
emergency medical technicians, firefighters, fire marshals and fire
officers to ride for no fare on the facilities of public transportation
authorities, in the performance of their official duties. The members
of the task force shall be:
(a) the chair of the senate committee on transportation, the chair of
the assembly committee on transportation, and the chair of the Metropol-
itan Transit Authority, or their designees, who shall serve as
co-chairs;
(b) three members appointed by the governor, one of whom shall be
appointed upon the joint recommendation of the presidents of the
uniformed firefighters association, uniformed fire officers association
and the uniformed EMTs and paramedics, Local 2507;
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06943-02-9
A. 4141--A 2
(c) two members appointed by the temporary president of the senate,
one of whom shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the New York
State AFL-CIO;
(d) two members appointed by the speaker of the assembly, one of whom
shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the New York State
AFL-CIO;
(e) the New York City comptroller, or his or her designee;
(f) one member appointed by the minority leader of the senate; and
(g) one member appointed by the minority leader of the assembly.
2. Task force members shall receive no compensation for their
services, but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses
incurred in the performance of their duties.
3. The task force shall meet at least four times and shall hold at
least one public hearing.
4. The task force shall consult with, and seek advice and recommenda-
tions from, public officers, organizations, and entities affected,
including but not limited to, the mayor of the city of New York, the
speaker of the New York City Council, the commissioner of FDNY, the
commissioner of NYPD, the commissioner of New York City DOT and his or
her designees with particular expertise in mass transit operations, and
employee organizations representing emergency medical technicians
(EMTs), advanced emergency medical technicians, firefighters, fire offi-
cers and fire marshals.
5. The co-chairs shall provide the task force with personnel and
support services necessary to accomplish its duties.
S 3. Report of the task force. No later than May 1, 2010, the task
force shall transmit to the governor, the temporary president of the
senate, and the speaker of the assembly a report with recommendations as
to the outcome of allowing all uniformed members of the FDNY employed as
emergency medical technicians (EMTs), advanced emergency medical techni-
cians, firefighters, fire marshals and fire officers to ride for no
fare on the facilities of public transportation authorities, in the
performance of their official duties and the cost impact of the program.
S 4. Pilot No Fare Transit Program. 1. From January 1, 2010 until
December 31, 2010 all uniformed members of the FDNY employed as emergen-
cy medical technicians (EMTs), advanced emergency medical technicians,
firefighters, fire marshals and fire officers may ride for no fare on
the facilities of public transportation authorities, in the performance
of their official duties. Such members shall have free use of passenger
transportation facilities operated by the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-
politan Transportation Authority and every public transportation author-
ity located in a city with a population of one million or more receiving
operating assistance pursuant to section 18-b of the transportation law,
provided, however each member is required to display an authorization
shield and identification card evidencing that they are members of the
fire department of the city of New York and are performing their offi-
cial duties or on their way to or from performing their official duties.
2. Nothing contained in this act shall supersede or diminish the terms
of a collective bargaining agreement.
S 5. This act shall take effect immediately. The task force created by
section two of this act shall expire and be deemed repealed on and after
December 31, 2010.