BILL NUMBER: S1643

SPONSOR: TEDISCO
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to directing the
New York state thruway authority to develop and implement a toll
discount program waiving additional costs for tolls related to travel on
the New York state thruway for certain individuals who do not maintain
an E-ZPass account

 
PURPOSE:

This Legislation Directs the New York thruway authority to develop and
implement a toll discount program waiving additional costs for tolls
related to travel on the New York state thruway for certain individuals.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

§ 1: Establishes the title of this bill as the "thruway toll equality
act".

              

§ 2: The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section 378-b
to read as follows:

§ 378-b. E-ZPass discount program. 1. Notwithstanding any law, rule or
regulation to the contrary, the authority shall establish and implement
a discount. plan waiving any costs, including fees, penalties and
surcharges, beyond the amount of actual tolls incurred during travel on
the New York state thruway system for qualified residents who do not
have an E-ZPass account or transponder and who receive a toll bill by
mail. Qualified residents shall pay an amount for tolls not greater than
the amount paid by individuals who maintain an E-ZPass account, in good
standing, linked to a bank account or credit card.

2. As used in this section, a "qualified resident" means an individual
who:

(a) is a full-time resident of the state;

(b) receives benefits pursuant to the supplemental nutrition assistance
program (SNAP) or the special supplemental nutrition program for women,
infants and children (WIC) or who receives vouchers pursuant to Section
8 of the Housing Act of 1937;

(c) owns or rents a vehicle utilized for travel on the state thruway
system; and

(d) does not maintain an E-ZPass account or have an E-ZPass transponder.

3. (a) The authority shall not generate a bill or other demand for
payment for tolls incurred by qualified residents until the earlier of

(i) the toll amount due reaches a threshold of thirty dollars, or

(ii) a period of one year.

(b) If a bill for tolls is not paid within one hundred twenty days, fees
and charges may be assessed as determined by the authority.
4. (a) The provisions of this section shall apply only to persons who do
not otherwise qualify for an E-ZPass discount program.

(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any E-ZPass charg-
es incurred for any travel originating in or terminating in any other
state.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Since implementation of the New York State Thruway's cashless toll
system, New Yorkers of modest means who do not have available credit or
a bank account with sufficient funds to maintain an E-ZPass account are
now punished with higher fees.

The "Thruway Toll Equality Act," will waive any toll increase, fee or
surcharge for low-income New York State motorists, based on the Federal
Poverty Level guidelines.

Additionally, those who qualify will only be billed for a minimum of
$30.00 in usage, or annually for less frequent travelers to minimize
administrative costs.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

02/03/21: S.4363 REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

01/05/22: S.4363 REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have
become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
this act on its effective date are authorized to be made on or before
such date.