BILL NUMBER: S4679

SPONSOR: ORTT
 
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 trans-
porting product to NYC for consumption in the city.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: 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. Subject
to appropriation. Section 2: Establishes the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

New York farmers struggle under the most stringent regulations and oner-
ous taxes in the country, yet produce the highest quality product. Many
of these products are marketed in various ways in New York City. Consum-
ers 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 fanner is subject
to additiofial 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 transpor-
tation 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:

2018: S.1739-A Referred to Corporations, Authorities & Commissions
2017: S.1739 Reported and Committed to Finance
2016: S.3067-A/A.1494-A Referred to Corporations, Authorities & Commis-
sions
2015: S.3067/A.1494 Referred to Corporations, Authorities & Commissions
2013, 2014: S.2084/A.1749 Referred to Corporations, Authorities &
Commissions
2011,2012: S.7421A.258A Referred to Corporations, Authorities & Commis-
sions
2009,2010: S.2427/A.3628 Referred Corporations, Authorities & Commis-
sions
2007,2008: S.7463/A.9917 Referred Transportation

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Subject to appropriation.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
180 days after enactment into law.