BILL NUMBER: S4915

SPONSOR: SCARCELLA-SPANTON
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to establishing
a central business district toll exemption for first responders

 
PURPOSE:

To provide an exemption for first responders employed by the State or
any municipality that is conducting official business in a central busi-
ness district from the central business district toll.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill would add a new subdivision 2-a to § 1704-a of the
Vehicle and Traffic Law to provide an exemption from the central busi-
ness district toll for any first responder.

Section 1 of the bill would add a new subdivision 2-b to § 1704-a of the
Vehicle and Traffic Law to clarify that for the purpose of this subdivi-
              

sion first responders who are employees of the State, any municipality,
a recognized corporation or authority, or a certified organization
performing any part of their duties in such a central business district
shall be exempt. For the purposes of this bill, "first responder" shall
mean police department or fire department, an emergency medical techni-
cian, correction officer, dispatcher or other uniformed officer.

Section 2 provides that the bill shall take effect immediately.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The Central Business District Tolling Zone extends from 60th Street in
Manhattan to all of the roadways south of 60th Street, with exceptions.
Under the toll zone program, passenger vehicles entering or remaining in
the Central Business District would be charged a toll. The purpose of
this bill is to clarify that in the event any first responder, which is
defined for the purpose of this bill to include but not be limited to a
member of a police department or fire department, an emergency medical
technician, correction officer, dispatcher or other uniformed officer
who is an employee of the State, any municipality, a recognized corpo-
ration or authority, or a certified organization, must drive into the
Central Business District to perform their duty, they will not be
charged the toll. This shall apply to any first responder who works for
the State or any municipality within New York State.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2024; Amended and held in Transportation Senate Committee.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This bill would take effect immediately.