BILL NUMBER:S742A

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the public authorities law, in relation to providing toll
exemptions for farmers transporting their goods to the city of New York

PURPOSE:
Provides that farmers shall receive an exemption from tolls
when transporting product to NYC for consumption in the city.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Public Authorities Law is amended by adding a
new section 2858 to provide an exemption from any toll imposed by an
authority for transportation across, on, or through any bridge, road,
or tunnel, for any farmer or food producer who: a) farms or produces
food, including fish and fish products, on a property located in the
state of New York; and b.) is transporting such food to the city of
New York for the purposes of consumption within such city. Any person
exempt from a toll pursuant to this law shall also be exempt from any
congestion pricing plan implemented in the City of New York. The
thruway authority shall establish acceptable forms of proof to show
that an individual is in compliance with this law and is eligible for
such an exemption.

JUSTIFICATION:
              

New York farmers struggle under the most stringent
regulations and onerous taxes in the country, yet produce the highest
quality product. Many of these products are marketed in various ways
in New York City. Consumers are able to express their preference and
purchase these products in many restaurants, bodegas and farmers
markets. However for the farmer to deliver their products to markets
in the city, the farmer is subject to additional expenses of bridge
tolls, tunnel tolls, and possibly an additional charge for delivery
in certain areas of Manhattan. Farmers should be exempt from any toll
imposed by public authority for transportation across, on, or through
any bridge, road, or tunnel for the purposes of consumption within
the city. The cost of fuel is escalating along with the cost of
tolls. Farmers are stressed with the price of gas to transport their
products to the city for consumption to make little profit after the
cost of gas and tolls are included. To help offset these expenses,
farmers should be exempt from tolls when transporting product to NYC
for consumption in the city.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2009-2010: S.2427/A.3628 Referred to Corporations, Authorities,
and Commissions
2007-2008: S.7463/A.9917 Referred to Transportation

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Undetermined at this time.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
180 days after enactment into law.