S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
6019
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
June 19, 2009
___________
Introduced by COMMITTEE ON RULES -- (at request of the Governor) -- read
twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the
Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the powers of
the New York state bridge authority
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Legislative findings and declaration. The legislature here-
by finds that Poughkeepsie-Highland railroad bridge played an important
role in the cultural and economic development of the state; that the
bridge was superbly designed and constructed and properly maintained;
that the bridge is listed on the state and national registers of histor-
ic places; that the continued integrity of the superstructure is neces-
sary to protect public safety, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Mid-Hudson
bridge located one-quarter mile downstream, and the commercial and
recreational vessel traffic of the Hudson river; that the deck of the
bridge should serve as a recreational asset to the people of the state
and provide a connection to existing and future Hudson valley trails;
that the preservation of the bridge will provide an alternative route
for emergency vehicles in the event of closure or blockage of the Frank-
lin Delano Roosevelt Mid-Hudson bridge; that the preservation of the
bridge will contribute to tourism and economic development within the
region; and that the preservation of the bridge to be known as the walk-
way over the Hudson should be a legacy of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain
Quadricentennial commemoration. Therefore, the legislature declares the
acquisition and preservation of the Poughkeepsie-Highland railroad
bridge, which will be known as the walkway over the Hudson bridge, to be
a public purpose.
S 2. Section 526 of the public authorities law is amended by adding a
new subdivision 7-b to read as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD12108-02-9
S. 6019 2
7-B. THE TERM "WALKWAY OVER THE HUDSON BRIDGE" SHALL BE DEEMED TO MEAN
THE POUGHKEEPSIE-HIGHLAND RAILROAD BRIDGE WHICH WAS CONSTRUCTED ACROSS
THE HUDSON RIVER NORTH OF THE FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT MID-HUDSON
BRIDGE.
S 3. Subdivision 9 of section 526 of the public authorities law, as
amended by chapter 698 of the laws of 1994, is amended to read as
follows:
9. The term "bridges" shall be deemed to mean collectively Mid-Hudson
bridge, Rip Van Winkle bridge, Bear Mountain bridge, Kingston-Rhinecliff
bridge, both spans of the Hamilton Fish Newburgh-Beacon bridge, WALKWAY
OVER THE HUDSON BRIDGE, and incidental roads, approaches, structures and
facilities;
S 4. Section 528 of the public authorities law is amended by adding a
new subdivision 1-b to read as follows:
1-B. TO ACCEPT OWNERSHIP OF THE WALKWAY OVER THE HUDSON BRIDGE IN THE
NAME OF THE STATE, AND TO ACQUIRE SUCH INCIDENTAL ROADS, APPROACHES,
STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES AS MAY BE NECESSARY.
S 5. Section 528 of the public authorities law is amended by adding a
new subdivision 1-c to read as follows:
1-C. TO ACCEPT FROM ANY PERSON GIFTS OF MONEY OR PROPERTY FOR ITS
CORPORATE PURPOSES.
S 6. Subdivision 8 of section 528 of the public authorities law, as
amended by chapter 698 of the laws of 1994, is amended to read as
follows:
8. To charge tolls for the use of the bridges, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF
THE WALKWAY OVER THE HUDSON BRIDGE, subject to and in accordance with
such agreements with bondholders and noteholders as may be made as here-
inafter provided, except, however, that subject to such agreements the
rates of tolls charged on the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Mid-Hudson
bridge, the Kingston Rhinecliff bridge, the Bear Mountain bridge, the
Rip Van Winkle bridge, and the Hamilton Fish Newburgh-Beacon bridge
shall be the same.
S 7. Section 528 of the public authorities law is amended by adding a
new subdivision 17 to read as follows:
17. TO ENTER INTO A LEASE OR OPERATING AGREEMENT, FOR A PERIOD NOT TO
EXCEED NINETY-NINE YEARS, WITH THE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND
HISTORIC PRESERVATION FOR ALL OR A PORTION OF THE WALKWAY OVER THE
HUDSON BRIDGE FOR THE PURPOSE OF A STATE PARK. SUCH AGREEMENT MAY ASSIGN
OR ALLOCATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, MAINTENANCE,
REPLACEMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE DECK AND APPROACHES AND STRUCTURES
PROVIDING PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE STATE PARK, BUT THE AUTHORITY SHALL
RETAIN RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTAINING THE SUPERSTRUCTURE OF THE WALKWAY
OVER THE HUDSON BRIDGE. THE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC
PRESERVATION IS AUTHORIZED TO ENTER INTO SUCH AGREEMENT, WHICH MAY
INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE BY THE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECRE-
ATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION OF ANY PERSONAL PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. THE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND
HISTORIC PRESERVATION SHALL PROPOSE IN ITS ANNUAL BUDGET AN AMOUNT FOR
ALL COSTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER SUCH AGREEMENT AND THESE COSTS MAY BE
SUPPLEMENTED BY PRIVATE DONATIONS.
S 8. Subdivision 2 of section 529 of the public authorities law, as
amended by chapter 516 of the laws of 1980, is amended to read as
follows:
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, the board of
supervisors of any county, the town board of any town, THE COMMON OR
CITY COUNCIL OF ANY CITY, or the trustees of any village, without any
S. 6019 3
election or meeting of the taxpayers or voters or other authorization,
is hereby authorized to dedicate to the state for any of the bridges or
for highway connections, any real property, easements or rights in land
owned by such county, town, CITY or village which the authority may deem
necessary.
S 9. This act shall take effect immediately.