Senate Bill S5552A

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   5552
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 24, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. SALAZAR -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
 
 AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to  establishing
   the  green  accessible  transition authority; to amend the tax law, in
   relation to establishing a for-hire vehicle improvement surcharge; and
   making an appropriation therefor
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  Short  title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
 the "green accessible transition act".
   § 2. Legislative findings and declaration. The legislature  finds  and
 declares that:
   1.  New  York State's For-Hire Vehicle (FHV) industry is at the center
 of three interlinked crises that impact FHV drivers, people  with  disa-
 bilities, and the environment.
   a. FHV driver poverty. Rideshare driver earnings are in the lowest 10%
 of  all  occupations in the United States. This led the City of New York
 to establish the first-ever pay regulations for app-based  drivers,  but
 long  hours and low pay remain the norm for most of the for-hire vehicle
 industry's 91% immigrant, predominantly people  of  color  workforce  of
 over  60,000 active drivers in NYC and for thousands more drivers across
 the state. Earnings from trips are only half the problem. Union  surveys
 indicate  that  on  average, each driver must spend $31,000 per year for
 the things they need to do their  job:  a  vehicle,  gas,  repairs,  and
 insurance.  Vehicle  costs push drivers into poverty.  Unfunded mandates
 to transition to electric vehicles, such as that  of  the  City  of  New
 York's "Green Rides" program, risk deepening this crisis.
   b.   Climate change. New York's fleet of rideshare vehicles is a major
 source of greenhouse gas emissions that drive  climate  change.  In  New
 York  City  alone,  a fleet of 81,000 gasoline-fueled rideshare vehicles
 puts 1.4 million tons of   CO2 into the atmosphere  every  year,  a  62%

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD01021-02-5
              

 S. 5552                             2
 
 increase  from  2013  to 2018 as the FHV fleet ballooned. Transportation
 generates approximately 30% of New York City's total  carbon  emissions,
 with  the FHV fleet responsible for a substantial portion of this total.
 The  massive increase in emissions from the FHV fleet has moved New York
 City away from the goal established by the City Council of  zero  carbon
 emissions  by 2050. Statewide, rideshare vehicles are a disproportionate
 driver of greenhouse gas emissions that  cause  climate  change  because
 they  are  on  the  road  more hours than privately-used vehicles. Addi-
 tionally, the State is far behind the curve  in  meeting  its  emissions
 reductions  and  renewable  energy production established by the Climate
 Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).
   c.  Wheelchair accessibility. Very few rideshare vehicles  are  wheel-
 chair  accessible  across New York State. In 2011, people with disabili-
 ties launched a campaign to bring New York  City's  taxicab  fleet  into
 line with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
 In  2014,  the  campaign won a consent decree that mandated that half of
 the taxicab fleet of 13,587 vehicles would  be  made  up  of  Wheelchair
 Accessible  Vehicles (WAVs) by 2020.  The 2013 decree was enhanced by an
 August 29, 2024 court order requiring all new  taxis  to  be  wheelchair
 accessible until half of all taxis are accessible. To fund this mandate,
 in  2014  the City of New York created a 30-cent surcharge on all yellow
 and green cab rides to establish a Taxicab  Improvement Fund (TIF) which
 would issue grants of up to $30,000 to medallion owners to buy and main-
 tain accessible vehicles.  This  surcharge  was  recently  increased  to
 $1/trip.  To date, 3,564 WAV vehicles, which is less than half the fleet
 of 13,587 taxis, have been purchased and deployed as taxis. Only  around
 half  the  medallion  fleet has come back on the road since the start of
 the pandemic.  The Taxis For All Campaign advocated for accessibility in
 New York City's FHV fleets; in response, the  New  York  City  Taxi  and
 Limousine  Commission  approved  performance standards for these fleets,
 requiring them to serve wheelchair users within 15  minutes  of  a  ride
 request. However, with no funding available on the for-hire vehicle side
 of  the  industry,  only 3,373 out of a total of 94,000 FHVs in New York
 City are wheelchair accessible.  Statewide, there is no mandate for taxi
 or for-hire vehicle accessibility, and  wheelchair  accessible  vehicles
 are  essentially  non-existent,  in  spite  of  efforts  by advocates to
 require wheelchair accessibility when the state  passed  legislation  to
 allow FHVs to operate. In practical terms, the failure to provide wheel-
 chair accessible FHVs and taxis means that persons with disabilities who
 need  to  use  WAVs  are unable to get jobs, attend school, or otherwise
 fully participate in the civic and public  life  of  their  communities.
 Instead,  they  must  rely on woefully inadequate paratransit systems or
 infrequent and unreliable bus service, or are just isolated at home.
   2. It is in the interest of the state to establish a dedicated  public
 authority,  the  Green  Accessible  Transition Authority, to address the
 three crises of driver poverty, climate change, and lack  of  wheelchair
 accessible vehicles in the FHV industry. The Green Accessible Transition
 Authority  will  manage  funding  collected  through  a surcharge on FHV
 rides, additional government appropriations, and bond issuances to:
   a. Work with and incentivize auto manufacturers  and  retrofitters  to
 rapidly  develop  and  market zero-emissions wheelchair accessible vehi-
 cles;
   b. Establish a co-investment program to  incentivize  and  enable  FHV
 drivers  to purchase or retrofit zero-emission and wheelchair accessible
 vehicles;
 S. 5552                             3
 
   c. Develop zero-emission vehicle charging infrastructure  and  mainte-
 nance facilities for zero-emission and wheelchair accessible vehicles;
   d.  Establish  a  voluntary transition program for drivers who wish to
 leave the FHV industry to receive paid training for employment in  green
 jobs or jobs in disability advocacy;
   e.  Fund  other  initiatives  to advance economic development with the
 goal of decarbonizing the transportation sector and creating good, green
 jobs and jobs in disability advocacy; and
   f. Improve paratransit service across New York State.
   3. It is critical  that  the  Green  Accessible  Transition  Authority
 represent  the public, drivers, autoworkers, environmental justice advo-
 cates, and disability justice advocates, and be transparent and account-
 able to these stakeholders in managing funding and programs.
   § 3.  Article 8 of the public authorities law is amended by  adding  a
 new title 7 to read as follows:
                                   TITLE 7
                   GREEN ACCESSIBLE TRANSITION AUTHORITY
 SECTION 1750. DEFINITIONS.
         1751. GREEN ACCESSIBLE TRANSITION AUTHORITY.
         1752. MEMBERS.
         1753. PURPOSES, POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE AUTHORITY.
         1754. ADDITIONAL POWERS OF THE AUTHORITY.
         1755. GREEN ACCESSIBLE TRANSITION FUND.
         1756. ACCOUNTS AND FUNDING.
         1757. EXEMPTION FROM TAXES, ASSESSMENTS AND CERTAIN FEES.
         1758. AUDIT AND ANNUAL REPORT.
         1759. LABOR AND PROCUREMENT STANDARDS.
         1760. BONDS AND NOTES.
         1761. RESERVE FUNDS AND APPROPRIATIONS.
         1762. EXEMPTION FROM TAXATION OF BONDS AND NOTES.
         1763. BONDS AND NOTES LEGAL INVESTMENTS FOR FIDUCIARIES.
         1764. RIGHT OF STATE TO REQUIRE REDEMPTION OF BONDS.
         1765. RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF BONDHOLDERS AND NOTEHOLDERS.
         1766. STATE NOT LIABLE ON BONDS AND NOTES.
   §  1750. DEFINITIONS.   AS USED OR REFERRED TO IN THIS TITLE, UNLESS A
 DIFFERENT MEANING CLEARLY APPEARS FROM THE CONTEXT:
   1. "AUTHORITY" MEANS THE GREEN ACCESSIBLE TRANSITION AUTHORITY  ESTAB-
 LISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION SEVENTEEN HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE OF THIS TITLE.
   2. "DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES" MEANS COMMUNITIES THAT BEAR THE BURDENS
 OF  NEGATIVE PUBLIC HEALTH EFFECTS, ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, AND IMPACTS
 OF CLIMATE CHANGE, AND POSSESS CERTAIN SOCIOECONOMIC CRITERIA, AS  IDEN-
 TIFIED  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  75-0111 OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
 LAW.
   3. "DISADVANTAGED OR UNDERREPRESENTED WORKER" MEANS A RESIDENT OF  NEW
 YORK STATE WHO:
   (A) IS A WOMAN, WHEN CONSIDERING CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING CONTRACTS;
   (B)  HAS  A  HOUSEHOLD  INCOME  OF LESS THAN FIFTY PERCENT OF THE AREA
 MEDIAN INCOME;
   (C) IS AN INDIVIDUAL RESIDING IN AN AREA OF CONCENTRATED POVERTY;
   (D) HAS A DISABILITY;
   (E) IS A VETERAN;
   (F)  IS A  PERSON  PREVIOUSLY  INCARCERATED  OR  CONVICTED  OF A CRIM-
 INAL OFFENSE; OR
   (G) IS LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYED.
 S. 5552                             4
 
   4. "DOWNSTATE REGION" MEANS THAT PORTION OF THE  STATE  THAT  INCLUDES
 EACH OF THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES: NASSAU, SUFFOLK, PUTNAM, ROCKLAND, WEST-
 CHESTER, DUTCHESS, ORANGE, BRONX, KINGS, NEW YORK, QUEENS, AND RICHMOND.
   5.  "ELECTRIC  VEHICLE"  MEANS  A  VEHICLE POWERED ONLY BY AN ELECTRIC
 MOTOR THAT DRAWS  CURRENT  FROM  RECHARGEABLE  STORAGE  BATTERIES,  FUEL
 CELLS, PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAYS, OR OTHER SOURCES OF ELECTRIC CURRENT.
   6.  "ELECTRIC  VEHICLE  CHARGING  INFRASTRUCTURE"  MEANS  ANY PHYSICAL
 INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIRED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE  CHARG-
 ING STATIONS.
   7.  "ELECTRIC  VEHICLE  CHARGING  STATION" MEANS STATIONS THAT DELIVER
 ELECTRICITY FROM A SOURCE OUTSIDE AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE INTO ONE  OR  MORE
 ELECTRIC  VEHICLES, OR ANY RELATED EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO FACILITATE CHARG-
 ING ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
   8. "ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES" MEANS PRACTICES THAT PRIOR-
 ITIZE THE RESPONSIBLE USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES  TO  MAINTAIN  ECOLOGICAL
 BALANCE AND ENSURE THE CONSERVATION OF RESOURCES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
   9. "FOR-HIRE VEHICLE" MEANS ANY TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY VEHICLE
 (TNC  VEHICLE)  AS  DEFINED IN SECTION SIXTEEN HUNDRED NINETY-ONE OF THE
 VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW AND ANY FOR-HIRE VEHICLE AS DEFINED  IN  SECTION
 19-502 OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
   10.  "FOR-HIRE  VEHICLE  IMPROVEMENT SURCHARGE" MEANS THE SURCHARGE ON
 FOR-HIRE   VEHICLE   TRANSPORTATION   TRIPS   IMPOSED   UNDER    ARTICLE
 TWENTY-NINE-E OF THE TAX LAW.
   11.  "GREEN  JOB" MEANS EMPLOYMENT WITHIN INDUSTRIES THAT EMPLOY ENVI-
 RONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES.
   12. "UPSTATE REGION" MEANS THAT PORTION OF  THE  STATE  THAT  INCLUDES
 EACH AND EVERY COUNTY OF THE STATE NOT INCLUDED IN THE DOWNSTATE REGION,
 AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION FOUR OF THIS SECTION.
   13.  "WHEELCHAIR  ACCESSIBLE  VEHICLE" MEANS A VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A
 HYDRAULIC LIFT OR RAMPS DESIGNED FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRANSPORTING PERSONS
 USING WHEELCHAIRS OR A VEHICLE CONTAINING ANY OTHER PHYSICAL  DEVICE  OR
 ALTERATION DESIGNED TO PERMIT ACCESS TO AND ENABLE THE TRANSPORTATION OF
 PERSONS  USING  WHEELCHAIRS  AND  WHICH MEETS THE FEDERAL AMERICANS WITH
 DISABILITIES ACT REQUIREMENTS FOR A WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLE.
   14. "ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE" MEANS A VEHICLE THAT  PRODUCES  NO  DIRECT
 EXHAUST OR TAILPIPE EMISSIONS AND INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, ELEC-
 TRIC VEHICLES.
   15.  "PARATRANSIT"  MEANS    TRANSPORTATION  SERVICES  REQUIRED BY THE
 FEDERAL AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT FOR INDIVIDUALS  WITH  DISABILI-
 TIES WHO ARE UNABLE TO USE FIXED ROUTE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS AS DEFINED
 IN 49 CFR § 37.3.
   16. "PRESIDENT" MEANS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE AUTHORITY.
   § 1751. GREEN ACCESSIBLE TRANSITION AUTHORITY. THERE IS HEREBY CREATED
 THE GREEN ACCESSIBLE TRANSITION AUTHORITY (GREATA).  THE AUTHORITY SHALL
 BE  A  BODY  CORPORATE  AND POLITIC CONSTITUTING A PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPO-
 RATION.
   § 1752. MEMBERS.  1.  THE  AUTHORITY  SHALL  CONSIST  OF  NINE  VOTING
 MEMBERS, WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED AS FOLLOWS: TWO SHALL BE REPRESENTATIVES
 OF  ENVIRONMENTAL  JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS, ONE OF WHOM SHALL BE APPOINTED
 BY THE GOVERNOR, AND ONE OF WHOM SHALL BE APPOINTED BY  THE  SPEAKER  OF
 THE  ASSEMBLY; TWO SHALL BE REPRESENTATIVES OF DISABILITY JUSTICE ORGAN-
 IZATIONS AND SHALL BE PARATRANSIT USERS, ONE OF WHOM SHALL BE  APPOINTED
 BY  THE  GOVERNOR,  AND  ONE OF WHOM SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE TEMPORARY
 PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE; ONE SHALL BE A  REPRESENTATIVE  OF  DRIVERS  OF
 FOR-HIRE VEHICLES WHO IS A MEMBER OF A NEW YORK STATE WORKER COOPERATIVE
 CORPORATION  OWNED  BY  DRIVERS  LICENSED  BY THE NEW YORK CITY TAXI AND
 S. 5552                             5
 
 LIMOUSINE COMMISSION AND SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR;  ONE  SHALL
 BE  A  REPRESENTATIVE OF AN ORGANIZATION WITH A TRACK RECORD OF ADVOCACY
 FOR A JUST, GREEN TRANSITION OF THE FOR-HIRE VEHICLE INDUSTRY AND  SHALL
 BE  APPOINTED  BY  THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY; ONE SHALL BE A REPRESEN-
 TATIVE OF AUTOMOTIVE WORKERS' UNION AND SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE TEMPO-
 RARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE; ONE SHALL BE A REPRESENTATIVE OF A  BUILD-
 ING  TRADES  UNION AND SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR; AND ONE SHALL
 BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AS AN AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PUBLIC
 WITH CONSENT FROM BOTH HOUSES OF THE LEGISLATURE.  FOUR OF  THE  MEMBERS
 SHALL  RESIDE IN THE UPSTATE REGION OF THE STATE AND FIVE OF THE MEMBERS
 SHALL RESIDE IN THE DOWNSTATE REGION.   ALL  OF  THE  APPOINTED  MEMBERS
 SHALL  HAVE  RELEVANT  EXPERIENCE  IN ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
 ENVIRONMENTAL  JUSTICE,  DISABILITY  JUSTICE,  ENERGY  MARKETS,   ENERGY
 SYSTEMS,   ORGANIZED LABOR, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, SUSTAINABLE LAND USE,
 TRANSPORTATION, AND CLEAN ENERGY.
   2. ALL MEMBERS SHALL CONTINUE TO HOLD OFFICE  UNTIL  THEIR  SUCCESSORS
 ARE  APPOINTED AND QUALIFY. OF THE APPOINTED MEMBERS, SIX OF THE MEMBERS
 APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR SHALL SERVE INITIAL TERMS OF FOUR YEARS, WHILE
 THE REMAINING FIVE MEMBERS SHALL SERVE INITIAL  TERMS  OF  THREE  YEARS.
 THEREAFTER, ALL TERMS SHALL BE FOR A PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS.
   3.  VACANCIES  SHALL  BE  FILLED  IN  THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR ORIGINAL
 APPOINTMENTS. MEMBERS MAY BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE FOR  THE  SAME  REASONS
 AND  IN  THE  SAME  MANNER  AS MAY BE PROVIDED BY LAW FOR THE REMOVAL OF
 OFFICERS OF A COUNTY.
   4. THE MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY SHALL DESIGNATE THE CHAIR.  THE  CHAIR
 SHALL  PRESIDE  OVER  MEETINGS  OF  THE AUTHORITY AND SHALL SERVE AS THE
 PRIMARY LIAISON BETWEEN THE MEMBERS AND AUTHORITY  STAFF.  A  VICE-CHAIR
 MAY BE ELECTED BY THE AUTHORITY FROM AMONG ITS OTHER MEMBERS TO SERVE AS
 SUCH AT THE PLEASURE OF THE AUTHORITY. THE VICE-CHAIR SHALL PRESIDE OVER
 ALL MEETINGS OF THE AUTHORITY IN THE ABSENCE OF THE CHAIR AND SHALL HAVE
 SUCH OTHER DUTIES AS THE AUTHORITY MAY PRESCRIBE. THE PRESIDENT SHALL BE
 THE  CHIEF  EXECUTIVE  OFFICER  OF  THE AUTHORITY AND SHALL BE PRIMARILY
 RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISCHARGE OF THE EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE  FUNC-
 TIONS OF THE AUTHORITY.
   5.  THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  AUTHORITY SHALL RECEIVE NO COMPENSATION FOR
 THEIR SERVICES BUT SHALL BE REIMBURSED FOR ALL OTHER ACTUAL  AND  NECES-
 SARY  EXPENSES  INCURRED  IN  CONNECTION  WITH  THE  CARRYING OUT OF THE
 PURPOSES OF THIS TITLE.
   § 1753. PURPOSES, POWERS AND  DUTIES  OF  THE  AUTHORITY.    1.    THE
 PURPOSES  OF  THE AUTHORITY SHALL BE TO PROMOTE THE SIMULTANEOUS TRANSI-
 TION OF THE FOR-HIRE VEHICLE AND  OTHER  STATE  INDUSTRIES  TO  ENVIRON-
 MENTALLY  SUSTAINABLE  PRACTICES AND INCREASE UNIVERSAL ACCESSIBILITY OF
 FOR-HIRE VEHICLES, PARATRANSIT SERVICES, AND TAXI SERVICES STATEWIDE.
   2.  EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE LIMITED BY THIS  TITLE,  THE  AUTHORITY  SHALL
 HAVE THE POWER TO:
   (A)  SUE AND BE SUED;
   (B) HAVE A SEAL OR ALTER SUCH SEAL AT PLEASURE;
   (C)  MAKE AND ALTER BY-LAWS FOR ITS ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT AND TO
 MAKE AND ALTER RULES AND  REGULATIONS  GOVERNING  THE  EXERCISE  OF  ITS
 POWERS AND FULFILLMENT OF ITS PURPOSES UNDER THIS TITLE;
   (D) MAKE RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE EXERCISE OF ITS CORPORATE
 POWERS  AND  THE  FULFILLMENT OF ITS CORPORATE PURPOSES UNDER THIS TITLE
 AND TITLE NINE-A OF THIS ARTICLE, WHICH SHALL BE FILED WITH THE  DEPART-
 MENT  OF  STATE IN THE MANNER PROVIDED BY SECTION ONE HUNDRED TWO OF THE
 EXECUTIVE LAW;
 S. 5552                             6
 
   (E) APPOINT SUCH OFFICERS,  AGENTS, AND  EMPLOYEES, WITHOUT REGARD  TO
 ANY  PERSONNEL OR CIVIL SERVICE LAW, RULE OR REGULATION OF THE STATE AND
 IN ACCORDANCE WITH GUIDELINES  ADOPTED  BY  THE  AUTHORITY,  AS  IT  MAY
 REQUIRE FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS DUTIES AND TO FIX AND DETERMINE THEIR
 QUALIFICATIONS, DUTIES AND COMPENSATION;
   (F)  ACQUIRE,  LEASE, HOLD, AND DISPOSE OF REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY,
 WHETHER TANGIBLE OR INTANGIBLE, OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, BY ANY METHOD;
   (G) MAKE AND EXECUTE AGREEMENTS, CONTRACTS OR OTHER INSTRUMENTS NECES-
 SARY OR CONVENIENT FOR THE EXERCISE OF ITS FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND  DUTIES
 UNDER THIS TITLE;
   (H) FIX AND COLLECT FEES, RENTALS AND CHARGES FOR THE USE OF ANY PROP-
 ERTY OR FACILITY UNDER ITS JURISDICTION, OR FOR THE SALE OF ANY PRODUCT,
 BY-PRODUCT  OR SERVICE PRODUCED IN OR PROVIDED BY ANY SUCH FACILITY, AND
 ESTABLISH THE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES CREATED UPON PAYMENT  THEREOF.  SUCH
 FEES, RENTALS AND CHARGES SHALL BE ESTABLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY SO AS TO
 PRODUCE, IN THE JUDGMENT OF THE AUTHORITY, REVENUES SUFFICIENT, TOGETHER
 WITH ANY OTHER FUNDS AVAILABLE TO THE AUTHORITY, TO MEET THE EXPENSES OF
 MAINTENANCE  AND  OPERATION OF THE FACILITIES OF THE AUTHORITY, TO REPAY
 ANY MONEYS REPAYABLE TO THE STATE, TO FULFILL THE  TERMS  OF  AGREEMENTS
 WITH  THE  HOLDERS  OF  ITS  BONDS,  NOTES, OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS, AND TO
 PROVIDE FUNDS FOR SUCH OTHER CORPORATE PURPOSES  AS  THE  AUTHORITY  MAY
 DEEM APPROPRIATE;
   (I)  BORROW MONEY AND ISSUE SUCH NOTES, BONDS, OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS IN
 RELATION TO SUCH INDEBTEDNESS, AND SECURE ANY OF ITS   OBLIGATIONS    BY
 MORTGAGE  OR PLEDGE OF ALL OR ANY OF ITS PROPERTY OR ANY INTEREST THERE-
 IN, WHEREVER SITUATED;
   (J) ARRANGE FOR GUARANTEES OF ITS BONDS, NOTES, OR  OTHER  OBLIGATIONS
 BY  THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR BY ANY PRIVATE INSURER OR OTHERWISE AND TO
 PAY ANY PREMIUMS THEREFOR;
   (K) PURCHASE BONDS, NOTES, OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF  THE  AUTHORITY  AT
 SUCH PRICE OR PRICES AS THE AUTHORITY MAY DETERMINE;
   (L)  LEND MONEY, INVEST AND REINVEST ITS FUNDS, AND TAKE AND HOLD REAL
 AND PERSONAL PROPERTY AS SECURITY FOR THE PAYMENT OF FUNDS SO LOANED  OR
 INVESTED;
   (M)  PROCURE  INSURANCE  OR  OBTAIN  INDEMNIFICATION  FROM THE FEDERAL
 GOVERNMENT OR OTHER PERSONS AGAINST ANY  LOSS  IN  CONNECTION  WITH  ITS
 PROPERTIES  OR OPERATIONS IN SUCH AMOUNT OR AMOUNTS AND FROM SUCH INSUR-
 ERS, INCLUDING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT,  AS  IT  MAY  DEEM  NECESSARY  OR
 DESIRABLE, AND TO PAY ANY PREMIUMS THEREFOR;
   (N) ACCEPT ANY GIFTS OR GRANTS OR LOANS OF FUNDS OR PROPERTY OR FINAN-
 CIAL  OR OTHER AID IN ANY FORM FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR ANY AGENCY
 OR INSTRUMENTALITY THEREOF, THE STATE,  OR  ANY  OTHER  SOURCE,  AND  TO
 COMPLY  WITH  THE  PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
 THEREOF;
   (O) ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF BOND COUNSEL, FINANCIAL ADVISORS,  ACCOUNT-
 ANTS,  ENGINEERS, ATTORNEYS, AND OTHER PRIVATE CONSULTANTS ON A CONTRACT
 BASIS FOR RENDERING PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE;
   (P) CREATE OR ACQUIRE ONE OR MORE WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES AS MAY  BE
 NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE;
   (Q)  NEGOTIATE  AND  ENTER  INTO AGREEMENTS WITH TRUSTEES OR RECEIVERS
 APPOINTED BY UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURTS OR FEDERAL DISTRICT  COURTS
 OR  IN OTHER PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING ADJUSTMENT OF DEBTS, AND TO AUTHORIZE
 LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE AUTHORITY TO APPEAR IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDINGS;
   (R) FILE A PETITION UNDER CHAPTER NINE OF TITLE ELEVEN OF  THE  UNITED
 STATES  BANKRUPTCY CODE, OR TAKE OTHER SIMILAR ACTION FOR THE ADJUSTMENT
 OF ITS DEBTS;
 S. 5552                             7
 
   (S) ENTER INTO MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS FOR THE OPERATION OF ALL  OR  ANY
 OF THE PROPERTY OR FACILITIES OWNED BY THE AUTHORITY;
   (T) MAINTAIN AN OFFICE OR OFFICES AT SUCH PLACE OR PLACES IN THE STATE
 AS IT MAY DETERMINE;
   (U)  MAKE  ANY  INQUIRY,  INVESTIGATION,  SURVEY,  OR  STUDY WHICH THE
 AUTHORITY MAY DEEM  NECESSARY TO ENABLE IT TO EFFECTIVELY CARRY OUT  THE
 PROVISIONS  OF  THIS  TITLE  AND TO REQUIRE THE   PRODUCTION OF RECORDS,
 BOOKS, PAPERS, ACCOUNTS, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING PUBLIC  RECORDS,
 AND TO MAKE COPIES THEREOF OR EXTRACTS THEREFROM;
   (V)  ADOPT,  REVISE,  AMEND,  AND  REPEAL  RULES  AND REGULATIONS WITH
 RESPECT TO ITS OPERATIONS, PROPERTIES, FACILITIES, AND PROJECTS  AS  MAY
 BE  NECESSARY  OR  CONVENIENT  TO  CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES OF THIS TITLE,
 SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE STATE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT;
   (W) FROM TIME TO TIME ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS WITH THE  NEW  YORK  STATE
 ENERGY  RESEARCH  AND  DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRON-
 MENTAL CONSERVATION, THE NEW YORK POWER  AUTHORITY,  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF
 LABOR, THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORI-
 TY,  OTHER  STATE TRANSIT AUTHORITIES, THE NEW YORK CITY TAXI AND LIMOU-
 SINE COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER RELEVANT  ENTITY  TO  FINANCE  THE  CAPITAL
 COSTS  OF  PROJECTS AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO SECTION EIGHTY-EIGHT-B OF THE
 STATE FINANCE LAW, AND TO ISSUE BONDS AND  NOTES  FOR  CAPITAL  PROJECTS
 APPROVED  BY  THE  BOARD; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT EACH PROVISION OF THIS
 TITLE RELATING TO BONDS AND NOTES WHICH ARE NOT  INCONSISTENT  WITH  THE
 PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY TO THE BONDS AND NOTES AUTHORIZED
 BY THIS SECTION;
   (X) REQUEST SUPPORT AND SERVICES TO THE AUTHORITY FROM ANY OTHER STATE
 AGENCY OR AUTHORITY;
   (Y) LEVY FINES AND FEES;
   (Z)  ESTABLISH  AND  ISSUE GRANTS FOR PROGRAMS, JOBS, UPGRADES, OR FOR
 ANY OTHER PURPOSE WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE AUTHORITY;
   (AA) PRIORITIZE GRANTING FUNDS TO PROJECTS, PROGRAMS  AND  INITIATIVES
 IN DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES OR DISADVANTAGED WORKERS; AND
   (BB)  ASSIST  OTHER  STATE  AND  LOCAL AGENCIES AND AUTHORITIES IN THE
 PROCUREMENT OF ZERO-EMISSION WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES.
   3. (A) THE AUTHORITY SHALL NOT GIVE, GRANT, GIFT, OR LOAN MONEY TO ANY
 PROJECTS, JOBS, PROGRAMS, OR  INITIATIVES  THAT  FURTHER  DEPENDENCE  ON
 FOSSIL  FUELS OR ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILI-
 TIES ACT.
   (B) THE AUTHORITY SHALL NOT GRANT OR GIFT MONEY TO ANY PROJECTS, JOBS,
 PROGRAMS, OR INITIATIVES WHOSE SHARES CONTAIN A FIFTY PERCENT OR GREATER
 INTEREST FROM A FOSSIL FUEL COMPANY OR THAT ARE BEING LED  BY  A  FOSSIL
 FUEL COMPANY.
   (C)  THE  AUTHORITY  SHALL NOT GIVE, GRANT, GIFT, OR LOAN MONEY TO ANY
 PROJECTS, JOBS,  PROGRAMS  OR  INITIATIVES  THAT  USE  BLUE,  TURQUOISE,
 BROWN/BLACK, YELLOW, WHITE OR GREY HYDROGEN, OR ANY COMBINATION THEREOF,
 OR  THE  PRODUCTION  THEREOF  IN  ANY  AMOUNT. ANY USE OF SUCH COLORS OF
 HYDROGEN THAT ARE COMBINED WITH GREEN HYDROGEN  SHALL  NOT  RECEIVE  ANY
 FUNDING FROM THE AUTHORITY.
   (D) THE AUTHORITY SHALL HAVE THE ABILITY TO ESTABLISH AND ISSUE GRANTS
 FOR  PROGRAMS,  JOBS,  UPGRADES,  OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT FALLS WITHIN THE
 SCOPE OF THE AUTHORITY, AND AT A MINIMUM, SHALL GRANT FIFTY  PERCENT  OF
 VEHICLE PURCHASE FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE PURCHASE OR RETROFIT OF ZERO-EMIS-
 SION  WHEELCHAIR  ACCESSIBLE  FOR-HIRE  VEHICLES  IN THE FIRST YEAR, AND
 INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE BY TEN PERCENT EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER  UNTIL  ONE
 HUNDRED  PERCENT  OF  VEHICLE  AT  PURCHASE FUNDS HAVE BEEN DEDICATED TO
 ZERO-EMISSION WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE FOR-HIRE VEHICLES.
 S. 5552                             8
 
   (E) THE AUTHORITY SHALL ENSURE THAT AT LEAST FORTY PERCENT OF SPENDING
 ON TRANSPORTATION AND CLEAN ENERGY BENEFITS DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES IN
 ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 75-0117 OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW.
   § 1754. ADDITIONAL POWERS OF THE AUTHORITY.  IN ADDITION TO THE POWERS
 ENUMERATED  IN  SECTION SEVENTEEN HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE OF THIS TITLE, THE
 AUTHORITY SHALL HAVE THE POWER AND OBLIGATION TO:
   1. COLLECT DATA FROM TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY PROVIDERS  OPERAT-
 ING IN THE STATE INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: (A) THE NUMBER OF WHEEL-
 CHAIR-ACCESSIBLE  AND  ELECTRIC  VEHICLES  OPERATING  IN  EACH COUNTY OR
 REGION; (B) THE NUMBER OF TRIPS, AND MILEAGE DRIVEN BY FOR-HIRE VEHICLES
 AND TAXIS; (C) THE ANNUAL ESTIMATED EMISSIONS OF FOR-HIRE  VEHICLES  AND
 TAXIS  STATEWIDE;  AND  (D)  THE  NUMBER  OF WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE TRIPS
 REQUESTED AND COMPLETED BY FOR-HIRE VEHICLES AND TAXIS STATEWIDE.
   2. CONDUCT AND PUBLISH ANNUAL STUDIES OF THE FOR-HIRE VEHICLE INDUSTRY
 TO SET STANDARDS AND GOALS FOR THE TRANSITION OF  THE  FOR-HIRE  VEHICLE
 AND  PARATRANSIT FLEETS TO THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF ZERO-EMISSION AND WHEEL-
 CHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES;
   3. CONVENE A GREEN ACCESSIBLE VEHICLE  TASKFORCE,  INCLUDING  ENVIRON-
 MENTAL  JUSTICE,  DISABILITY JUSTICE, AND LABOR ADVOCATES TO: (A) ASSESS
 THE AVAILABILITY OF ZERO-EMISSION AND  WHEELCHAIR  ACCESSIBLE  VEHICLES;
 (B) WORK WITH GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES AND AUTOMAKERS TO ENSURE THAT VEHI-
 CLES  MEETING  APPROPRIATE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS ARE
 BROUGHT TO MARKET, INCLUDING ISSUING A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TO INCENTIV-
 IZE PRODUCTION OF ZERO-EMISSION WHEELCHAIR  ACCESSIBLE  VEHICLES  WITHIN
 SIX  MONTHS  OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ARTICLE; AND (C) VET VEHICLES
 ELIGIBLE FOR INCLUSION IN THE CO-INVESTMENT PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SUBDIVI-
 SION FOUR OF THIS SECTION BASED ON  THEIR  AVAILABLE  FEATURES  AND  THE
 AUTOMAKERS' COMMITMENT TO LABOR, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS;
   4.  ADMINISTER  A CO-INVESTMENT PROGRAM FOR THE PURCHASE OF QUALIFYING
 VEHICLES, UNDER THE TERMS OF WHICH FOR-HIRE VEHICLE  DRIVERS  AND  PARA-
 TRANSIT  AGENCIES  AND  PROGRAMS  SHALL  BE ELIGIBLE FOR A VOUCHER OF AN
 AMOUNT AND UNDER THE TERMS TO BE DETERMINED BY THE AUTHORITY TOWARD  THE
 PURCHASE  OF  ZERO-EMISSION  VEHICLES AND WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES
 APPROVED FOR INCLUSION IN THE PROGRAM BY THE  GREEN  ACCESSIBLE  VEHICLE
 TASKFORCE  PURSUANT  TO SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION.  IN THE EVENT
 THE AUTHORITY MAKES A DETERMINATION THAT INSUFFICIENT  ACCESSIBLE  ZERO-
 EMISSIONS  VEHICLES  ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE OR RETROFIT TO MEET THIS
 GOAL IN A GIVEN YEAR, THE AUTHORITY MAY INSTEAD UTILIZE FUNDS TO SUPPORT
 EXPANSION OF ON-DEMAND PARATRANSIT SERVICE STATEWIDE AND ELECTRIFICATION
 OF DEDICATED PARATRANSIT FLEETS;
   5. AFTER THE ZERO-EMISSION AND WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE  VEHICLE  TRANSI-
 TION GOALS ARE MET, DEVELOP AND ADMINISTER A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM FOR DRIV-
 ERS  OF  FOR-HIRE  VEHICLES TO RECEIVE TRAINING AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO
 ENTER INTO ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT IN PUBLIC SERVICE, GREEN, OR DISABILI-
 TY JUSTICE JOBS;
   6. FUND THE DEVELOPMENT OF  INFRASTRUCTURE  REQUIRED  TO  SUPPORT  THE
 EXPANDING  USE  OF  ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
 ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE;
   7. FUND THE PURCHASE OF ZERO-EMISSION AND WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE  VEHI-
 CLES, EXCLUDING ANY HYDROGEN-BASED VEHICLES THAT OPERATE ON ANY COLOR OF
 HYDROGEN OTHER THAN GREEN HYDROGEN, AND INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO RAPIDLY
 TRANSITION PUBLIC PARATRANSIT SERVICES TO ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES;
   8.  FUND ANY AND ALL OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE AND FACILITATE: (A)
 THE TRANSITION OF NEW YORK STATE TOWARD ONE HUNDRED  PERCENT  ZERO-EMIS-
 SION  WHEELCHAIR  ACCESSIBLE  VEHICLES;  (B) AFTER THE PRIMARY GOAL OF A
 TRANSITION OF THE FOR-HIRE VEHICLE INDUSTRY TO ZERO-EMISSION  WHEELCHAIR
 S. 5552                             9
 
 ACCESSIBLE  VEHICLES  HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY ACHIEVED, OTHER INITIATIVES
 THAT HELP ACHIEVE COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATE'S GREENHOUSE  GAS  EMISSIONS
 REDUCTIONS   MANDATES   UNDER   THE  CLIMATE  LEADERSHIP  AND  COMMUNITY
 PROTECTION  ACT,  THE  CITY OF NEW YORK'S 80 X 2050 INITIATIVE AND LOCAL
 LAW NINETY-SEVEN, AND/OR FUTURE REQUIREMENTS FOR  ADDITIONAL  REDUCTIONS
 IN  GREENHOUSE  GAS  OR  CO-POLLUTANT EMISSIONS THAT THE LEGISLATURE MAY
 IMPOSE; AND (C) THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE  PRAC-
 TICES, AND IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST;
   9.  FUND  PROGRAMS  TO  EXPAND  AND IMPROVE RELIABILITY OF PARATRANSIT
 SERVICES IN THE STATE INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:  (A)  PURCHASE  AND
 OPERATION OF ZERO-EMISSION WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES BY PARATRANSIT
 AGENCIES AND THEIR CONTRACTORS; (B) ADOPTION OF, EXPANSION OF, AND ONGO-
 ING  SUPPORT  FOR ON-DEMAND PARATRANSIT SERVICE STATEWIDE; (C) EXPANSION
 OF PARATRANSIT SERVICE TO BROADER GEOGRAPHIC AREAS; AND (D) OTHER  INNO-
 VATIVE PROJECTS THAT SEEK TO ENHANCE PARATRANSIT SERVICE QUALITY THROUGH
 IMPROVED  TECHNOLOGY,  EDUCATION,  AND OTHER STRATEGIES.   THE AUTHORITY
 SHALL ENSURE THAT AT LEAST TWENTY PERCENT OF OVERALL FUNDS ARE  USED  TO
 SUPPORT  PARATRANSIT  SERVICES  AND  SHALL  FURTHER ENSURE THAT AT LEAST
 FIFTY PERCENT OF SUCH FUNDS  ARE  ALLOCATED  TO  SUPPORTING  PARATRANSIT
 SERVICES OPERATING IN THE UPSTATE REGION, WITH THE GOAL OF MAKING ON-DE-
 MAND  PARATRANSIT  SERVICE AVAILABLE STATEWIDE WITH AVAILABILITY TWENTY-
 FOUR HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, AT LEAST THREE MILES BEYOND  EXIST-
 ING PUBLIC TRANSIT ROUTES; AND
   10.  PROVIDE  TEN PERCENT OF OVERALL FUNDS TO GRANTS FOR ORGANIZATIONS
 TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE FOR DRIVERS  TO  ACCESS  AND  OPERATE
 ZERO-EMISSION  WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES AND SUBSIDIES, WITH AWARDS
 TO NO LESS THAN FIVE PROVIDERS  ANNUALLY.  AWARDED  PROVIDERS  SHALL  BE
 NONPROFIT  ORGANIZATIONS  OR LABOR UNIONS, AND SHALL HAVE A TRACK RECORD
 OF PROVIDING SERVICES FOR FOR-HIRE VEHICLE DRIVERS IN NEW YORK STATE.
   § 1755. GREEN ACCESSIBLE  TRANSITION  FUND.  1.  THE  AUTHORITY  SHALL
 CREATE AND ESTABLISH A FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE "GREEN ACCESSIBLE TRANSI-
 TION FUND" WHICH SHALL BE KEPT SEPARATE FROM AND SHALL NOT BE COMMINGLED
 WITH  ANY OTHER MONEYS OF THE AUTHORITY. THE GREEN ACCESSIBLE TRANSITION
 FUND SHALL CONSIST OF MONEYS RECEIVED BY THE AUTHORITY PURSUANT  TO  THE
 PROVISIONS  OF  SECTION  TWELVE HUNDRED NINETY-NINE-FF OF THE TAX LAW IN
 ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS THEREOF.
   2.  MONEYS IN THE FUND SHALL BE USED  FOR  THE  EXCLUSIVE  PURPOSE  OF
 FUNDING PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE AUTHORITY.
   3.  ANY  REVENUES  DEPOSITED  IN  THE GREEN ACCESSIBLE TRANSITION FUND
 PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION SHALL  BE  USED  EXCLUSIVELY
 FOR  THE  PURPOSES  DESCRIBED  IN  SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION. SUCH
 REVENUES SHALL ONLY SUPPLEMENT  AND  SHALL  NOT  SUPPLANT  ANY  FEDERAL,
 STATE,  OR  LOCAL  FUNDS  EXPENDED  BY THE AUTHORITY OR SUCH AUTHORITY'S
 AFFILIATES OR SUBSIDIARIES FOR SUCH PURPOSES.
   4.  ANY REVENUES DEPOSITED INTO THE GREEN ACCESSIBLE  TRANSITION  FUND
 PURSUANT  TO  SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE DIVERTED INTO
 THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE, ANY OTHER FUND MAINTAINED FOR THE SUPPORT
 OF ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL PURPOSE, OR FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE NOT  AUTHOR-
 IZED BY SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION.
   5.  THE  AUTHORITY  SHALL  REPORT ON THE RECEIPT AND USES OF ALL FUNDS
 RECEIVED BY THE GREEN ACCESSIBLE TRANSITION FUND TO THE DIRECTOR OF  THE
 BUDGET,  THE  TEMPORARY  PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, AND THE SPEAKER OF THE
 ASSEMBLY, ON AN ANNUAL BASIS NO LATER THAN THE FIRST DAY OF FEBRUARY.
   § 1756.  ACCOUNTS AND FUNDING.  1. THE PROGRAMS  ADMINISTERED  BY  THE
 AUTHORITY  SHALL  BE  FUNDED  IN PART BY THE GREEN ACCESSIBLE TRANSITION
 FUND ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION  SEVENTEEN  HUNDRED  FIFTY-FIVE  OF
 S. 5552                            10
 
 THIS  TITLE  AND  ANY  OTHER MONEYS RECEIVED BY THE AUTHORITY, INCLUDING
 PAYMENTS, GIFTS, OR APPROPRIATIONS  TO  THE  AUTHORITY  FROM  ANY  OTHER
 SOURCE.
   2.  THE AUTHORITY SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO SET A STANDARD RATE FOR VEHI-
 CLE CHARGING STATIONS OWNED BY THE AUTHORITY AND TO COLLECT ANY  REVENUE
 GENERATED FROM SUCH CHARGING STATIONS.
   3.  THE  AUTHORITY  SHALL HAVE THE POWER AND IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED FROM
 TIME TO TIME TO ISSUE ITS NEGOTIABLE BONDS IN CONFORMITY WITH APPLICABLE
 PROVISIONS OF THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE FOR ANY PURPOSE AUTHORIZED  BY
 THIS TITLE.
   §  1757.  EXEMPTION  FROM  TAXES, ASSESSMENTS AND CERTAIN FEES.  IT IS
 HEREBY DETERMINED THAT THE CREATION OF THE AUTHORITY  AND  THE  CARRYING
 OUT  OF ITS CORPORATE PURPOSES IS IN ALL RESPECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE
 PEOPLE OF THE MUNICIPALITY AND THE STATE AND IS A PUBLIC PURPOSE AND THE
 AUTHORITY SHALL BE REGARDED AS PERFORMING A GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTION IN THE
 EXERCISE OF THE POWERS CONFERRED UPON IT BY THIS TITLE AND SHALL NOT  BE
 REQUIRED  TO PAY ANY TAXES, SPECIAL AD VALOREM LEVIES OR SPECIAL ASSESS-
 MENTS UPON ANY PROPERTY OWNED BY IT OR UNDER ITS  JURISDICTION,  CONTROL
 OR SUPERVISION OR UPON ITS ACTIVITIES OR ANY FILING, RECORDING OR TRANS-
 FER  FEES  OR TAXES IN RELATION TO INSTRUMENTS FILED, RECORDED OR TRANS-
 FERRED BY IT OR ON ITS BEHALF.  THE  CONSTRUCTION,  USE,  OCCUPATION  OR
 POSSESSION  OF  ANY PROPERTY OWNED BY THE AUTHORITY OR THE MUNICIPALITY,
 INCLUDING IMPROVEMENTS THEREON, BY  ANY  PERSON  OR  PUBLIC  CORPORATION
 UNDER A LEASE, LEASE AND SUBLEASE OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT SHALL NOT OPER-
 ATE  TO  ABROGATE OR LIMIT THE FOREGOING EXEMPTION, NOTWITHSTANDING THAT
 THE LESSEE, USER, OCCUPANT OR PERSON IN POSSESSION SHALL CLAIM OWNERSHIP
 FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. MORTGAGES MADE OR FINANCED, DIRECTLY OR
 INDIRECTLY, BY THE AUTHORITY SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE MORTGAGE RECORDING
 TAXES IMPOSED BY ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THE TAX LAW. THE AUTHORITY  SHALL  BE
 DEEMED  A  PUBLIC  AUTHORITY  FOR  THE  PURPOSES OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED
 TWELVE OF THE REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW.
   § 1758. AUDIT AND ANNUAL REPORT. IN CONFORMITY WITH THE PROVISIONS  OF
 SECTION  FIVE  OF  ARTICLE  TEN OF THE CONSTITUTION, THE ACCOUNTS OF THE
 AUTHORITY SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE SUPERVISION OF THE  STATE  COMPTROLLER
 AND  AN  ANNUAL  AUDIT  SHALL  BE  PERFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED
 ACCOUNTANT. THE AUTHORITY SHALL ANNUALLY SUBMIT TO THE  GOVERNOR,  STATE
 COMPTROLLER  AND  STATE  LEGISLATURE  A  DETAILED REPORT PURSUANT TO THE
 PROVISIONS OF SECTION TWENTY-EIGHT HUNDRED OF THIS CHAPTER, AND  A  COPY
 OF  SUCH  REPORT  SHALL BE FILED WITH EVERY MUNICIPALITY INCLUDED IN THE
 REPORT. THE AUTHORITY SHALL COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS TWEN-
 TY-EIGHT HUNDRED ONE, TWENTY-EIGHT HUNDRED TWO AND TWENTY-EIGHT  HUNDRED
 THREE OF THIS CHAPTER.
   § 1759. LABOR AND PROCUREMENT STANDARDS. 1. ANY PROJECT THAT IS FUNDED
 BY THE AUTHORITY SHALL:
   (A)  BE  DEEMED  A PUBLIC WORK PROJECT SUBJECT TO ARTICLE EIGHT OF THE
 LABOR LAW;
   (B) REQUIRE THAT ANY MATERIALS USED IN THE  PROJECT  ARE  PRODUCED  OR
 MADE  IN WHOLE OR SUBSTANTIAL PART IN THE UNITED STATES, ITS TERRITORIES
 OR POSSESSIONS; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH
 SHALL NOT APPLY IN ANY CASE OR CATEGORY OF CASES IN WHICH  THE  HEAD  OF
 THE  CONTRACTING  PUBLIC  ENTITY FINDS THAT: (I) APPLYING THIS PARAGRAPH
 WOULD BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE PUBLIC INTEREST; (II)  PRODUCTS  ARE  NOT
 PRODUCED  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES IN SUFFICIENT AND REASONABLY AVAILABLE
 QUANTITIES AND OF A SATISFACTORY QUALITY; OR (III) INCLUSION OF PRODUCTS
 PRODUCED IN THE UNITED STATES WILL INCREASE  THE  COST  OF  THE  OVERALL
 PROJECT BY MORE THAN TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT. IF THE HEAD OF THE CONTRACTING
 S. 5552                            11
 
 PUBLIC  ENTITY  RECEIVES A REQUEST FOR A WAIVER FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF
 THIS PARAGRAPH, SUCH PERSON SHALL MAKE AVAILABLE TO  THE  PUBLIC  ON  AN
 INFORMAL  BASIS  A COPY OF THE REQUEST AND INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO SUCH
 PERSON CONCERNING THE REQUEST, AND SHALL ALLOW FOR INFORMAL PUBLIC INPUT
 ON THE REQUEST FOR AT LEAST FIFTEEN DAYS PRIOR TO MAKING A FINDING BASED
 ON THE REQUEST. THE HEAD OF THE CONTRACTING PUBLIC ENTITY SHALL MAKE THE
 REQUEST  AND  ACCOMPANYING  INFORMATION  AVAILABLE  BY ELECTRONIC MEANS,
 INCLUDING ON THE OFFICIAL PUBLIC WEBSITE OF THE PUBLIC ENTITY;  PROVIDED
 FURTHER,  HOWEVER, THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL NOT APPLY
 TO PRODUCTS PURCHASED PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE  OF  THIS  TITLE.  THE
 HEAD  OF  THE  CONTRACTING  PUBLIC ENTITY MAY, AT THE CONTRACTING PUBLIC
 ENTITY'S SOLE DISCRETION, PROVIDE FOR A SOLICITATION OF  A  REQUEST  FOR
 PROPOSAL,  INVITATION FOR BID, OR SOLICITATION OF PROPOSAL, OR ANY OTHER
 METHOD PROVIDED FOR BY LAW OR REGULATION FOR SOLICITING A RESPONSE  FROM
 OFFERORS  INTENDING  TO  RESULT IN A CONTRACT PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH
 INVOLVING A COMPETITIVE PROCESS IN WHICH  THE  EVALUATION  OF  COMPETING
 BIDS  GIVES  SIGNIFICANT  CONSIDERATION IN THE EVALUATION PROCESS TO THE
 PROCUREMENT OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES FROM  BUSINESSES  LOCATED  IN  NEW
 YORK STATE;
   (C)  REQUIRE THAT ANY PUBLIC OWNER OR THIRD PARTY ACTING ON THE BEHALF
 OF A PUBLIC OWNER ENTER INTO A PROJECT LABOR  AGREEMENT  AS  DEFINED  BY
 SECTION  TWO  HUNDRED  TWENTY-TWO  OF THE LABOR LAW FOR ALL CONSTRUCTION
 WORK;
   (D) REQUIRE THE PAYMENT OF PREVAILING WAGE STANDARDS  CONSISTENT  WITH
 ARTICLE NINE OF THE LABOR LAW FOR BUILDING SERVICES WORK; AND
   (E)  REQUIRE  THAT  ALL RIGHTS OR BENEFITS, INCLUDING TERMS AND CONDI-
 TIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, AND PROTECTION  OF  CIVIL  SERVICE  AND  COLLECTIVE
 BARGAINING  STATUS  OF ALL EXISTING PUBLIC EMPLOYEES AND THE WORK JURIS-
 DICTION, COVERED JOB TITLES, AND WORK  ASSIGNMENTS,  SET  FORTH  IN  THE
 CIVIL SERVICE LAW AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS WITH LABOR ORGAN-
 IZATIONS REPRESENTING PUBLIC EMPLOYEES SHALL BE PRESERVED AND PROTECTED.
   2. ANY SUCH PROJECT SHALL NOT RESULT IN THE:
   (A) DISPLACEMENT OF ANY CURRENTLY EMPLOYED WORKER OR LOSS OF POSITION,
 INCLUDING  PARTIAL DISPLACEMENT SUCH AS A REDUCTION IN THE HOURS OF NON-
 OVERTIME WORK, WAGES, OR EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, OR RESULT IN  THE  IMPAIR-
 MENT OF EXISTING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS;
   (B)  TRANSFER  OF EXISTING DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS RELATED TO MAINTENANCE
 AND OPERATIONS PERFORMED BY EXISTING EMPLOYEES OF AUTHORIZED ENTITIES TO
 A CONTRACTING ENTITY; OR
   (C) TRANSFER OF FUTURE DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS  ORDINARILY  PERFORMED  BY
 EMPLOYEES OF AUTHORIZED ENTITIES TO A CONTRACTING ENTITY.
   3.  ANY PROJECT FUNDED BY THE AUTHORITY SHALL CERTIFY THAT THE MATERI-
 ALS, COMPONENTS, PARTS OR VEHICLES ARE PRODUCED  OR  MADE  IN  WHOLE  OR
 SUBSTANTIAL  PART  IN THE UNITED STATES, ITS TERRITORIES OR POSSESSIONS;
 PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE AUTHORITY,  OR  THE  PRESI-
 DENT'S DESIGNEE MAY WAIVE THE PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN THIS
 SUBDIVISION  IF  SUCH  OFFICIAL  DETERMINES THAT:   (A) THE REQUIREMENTS
 WOULD RESULT IN UNREASONABLE COSTS; (B) OBTAINING  SUCH  INFRASTRUCTURE-
 RELATED  MATERIALS,  COMPONENTS  OR  PARTS  IN  THE  UNITED STATES WOULD
 INCREASE THE COST OF A PROJECT BY AN UNREASONABLE  AMOUNT;  OR  (C)  ANY
 SUCH  VEHICLES, PARTS, OR COMPONENTS CANNOT BE PRODUCED, MADE, OR ASSEM-
 BLED IN THE UNITED STATES IN SUFFICIENT AND REASONABLY AVAILABLE QUANTI-
 TIES OR OF SATISFACTORY QUALITY.  ANY SUCH WAIVER SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT
 ONLY SO LONG AS THE CONDITIONS NECESSITATING THE WAIVER ARE  IN  EFFECT.
 ALL  DETERMINATIONS ON WAIVERS SHALL BE MADE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS NO LATER
 THAN DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST, AFTER PROVIDING NOTICE AND  OPPORTUNITY  FOR
 S. 5552                            12
 
 PUBLIC COMMENT, AND SUCH DETERMINATION SHALL BE MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE,
 IN  WRITING,  ON  THE AUTHORITY'S WEBSITE WITH A DETAILED EXPLANATION OF
 THE FINDINGS LEADING TO SUCH A DETERMINATION. IF THE  PRESIDENT  OR  THE
 PRESIDENT'S  DESIGNEE  HAS  ISSUED  DETERMINATIONS FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE
 YEARS FINDING THAT NO SUCH WAIVER IS WARRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVI-
 SION, THEN THE AUTHORITY SHALL NO LONGER  BE  REQUIRED  TO  PROVIDE  THE
 ANNUAL DETERMINATION REQUIRED BY THIS SUBDIVISION.
   4. (A) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL
 HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
   (I) "CONTRACTOR" MEANS AN ENTITY THAT SELLS AN APPROVED ELIGIBLE VEHI-
 CLE TO A VEHICLE PURCHASER AND THAT MEETS THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
   (1) IS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ENTITIES:
   (A)  A ZERO-EMISSION WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLE DEALERSHIP THAT HAS
 A WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH A ZERO-EMISSION WHEELCHAIR  ACCESSIBLE  VEHICLE
 ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER AND THAT SELLS OR LEASES COMPLETE ELIGI-
 BLE VEHICLES TO VEHICLE OWNER-OPERATORS;
   (B) AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER THAT BUILDS AND SELLS OR LEASES
 COMPLETE  ELIGIBLE  VEHICLES  DIRECTLY TO FLEETS OR VEHICLE OWNER-OPERA-
 TORS;
   (C) AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE UPFIT OR RETROFIT MANUFACTURER  THAT  HAS  A
 WRITTEN  AGREEMENT  WITH  AN  ORIGINAL  EQUIPMENT  MANUFACTURER AND THAT
 UPFITS, RETROFITS, OR PERFORMS  FINAL  EQUIPMENT  INSTALLATIONS  ON  NEW
 REPLACEMENT  OR  REPOWERED  VEHICLES  AND  SELLS OR LEASES THE COMPLETED
 ELIGIBLE VEHICLE TO A LEASING COMPANY, FLEET, OR VEHICLE OWNER-OPERATOR;
 OR
   (D) A RETROFIT KIT COMPANY THAT PRODUCES AND  INSTALLS  SUCH  KITS  ON
 EXISTING VEHICLES, SUCH AS A BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLE KIT ON AN EXISTING
 DIESEL-POWERED VEHICLE;
   (2) HAS A VALID BUSINESS LICENSE FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS; AND
   (3)  IS  THE  ENTITY  THAT  SELLS  OR  LEASES  THE FULLY ASSEMBLED AND
 COMPLETED NEW ELIGIBLE VEHICLE OR REPOWERED VEHICLE.
   (II) "DISADVANTAGED  COMMUNITIES"  SHALL  HAVE  THE  SAME  MEANING  AS
 DEFINED BY SECTION 75-0101 OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW.
   (III)  "DISPLACED  WORKERS"  MEANS WORKERS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS IN
 THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS DUE TO LACK OF BUSINESS, A  REDUCTION  IN  WORK-
 FORCE, OR OTHER ECONOMIC, NON-DISCIPLINARY REASONS RELATED TO A PANDEMIC
 OR  TO  THE TRANSITION FROM THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY TO RENEWABLE ENERGY
 OR ELECTRIC TRANSPORTATION, AND WHO HAVE  NOT  BEEN  ABLE  TO  SECURE  A
 COMPARABLY COMPENSATED POSITION.
   (IV)  "ELIGIBLE  VEHICLE"  MEANS A ZERO-EMISSION WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
 VEHICLE THAT MEETS ALL OF THE RULES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE AUTHORITY.
   (V) "NEW YORK JOBS  PLAN"  MEANS  A  COMPONENT  OF  THE  DOCUMENTATION
 SUBMITTED  DURING  THE ELIGIBILITY APPLICATION PROCESS AND THAT SHALL BE
 USED TO DETERMINE CERTAIN PLUS-UPS AND DEDUCTIONS FROM THE  BASE  INCEN-
 TIVE  AMOUNT.  THE  NEW  YORK  JOBS  PLAN  SHALL INCLUDE THE INFORMATION
 SUBMITTED BY THE CONTRACTOR, THE CONTRACTOR'S SUPPLIER, AND THE CONTRAC-
 TOR'S MAJOR SUPPLIER, WHICH STATES: (1) THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF JOBS;  (2)
 PROPOSED  WAGES,  BENEFITS,  AND  INVESTMENT  IN  TRAINING; (3) TARGETED
 HIRING PLANS FOR DISADVANTAGED WORKERS, DISPLACED WORKERS, AND  INDIVID-
 UALS  FACING  BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT FOR JOBS CREATED OR RETAINED IN THE
 STATE; (4) LIFECYCLE EMISSIONS ANALYSIS; (5) USE  OF  RECYCLED  CONTENT;
 (6)  PLANS TO MAXIMIZE REUSE AND RECYCLING OF BATTERIES; AND (7) THE USE
 OF RECYCLED OR RESPONSIBLY-MINED MINERALS.
   (VI) "ORIGINAL  EQUIPMENT  MANUFACTURER"  MEANS  A  MANUFACTURER  THAT
 BUILDS  OR ASSEMBLES, AT A MINIMUM, THE COMPLETED DRIVETRAIN AND CHASSIS
 FOR AN ELIGIBLE VEHICLE.
 S. 5552                            13
 
   (VII) "SUPPLIER" MEANS A COMPANY  THAT  SELLS  VEHICLES  OR  COMPONENT
 PARTS  OF  VEHICLES TO AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER OR AN UPFIT OR
 RETROFIT MANUFACTURER.
   (VIII)   "RESPONSIBLE   MINERAL  SOURCING"  MEANS  ORIGINAL  EQUIPMENT
 MANUFACTURER PROCUREMENT PRACTICES FOR COMPONENTS AND RAW MATERIALS THAT
 ENABLE THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT  MANUFACTURER  TO  ACCURATELY  ASSESS  AND
 REPORT THE SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF MINED MINERALS USED IN THE
 PRODUCTION  OF THE VEHICLE, AND IN WHICH THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFAC-
 TURER TAKES ACTIVE STEPS TO IMPROVE THE SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL  IMPACT
 OF THE MINED MINERALS USED IN THE PRODUCTION OF SUCH VEHICLE BY ENSURING
 THAT  ANY  MINED  MINERALS  USED  IN  THE VEHICLE CONFORM TO THE HIGHEST
 POSSIBLE STANDARDS OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, INCLUDING FREE, PRIOR,  AND
 INFORMED  CONSENT,  HUMAN  RIGHTS,  LABOR  RIGHTS,  WORKER AND COMMUNITY
 HEALTH  AND  SAFETY,  CONFLICT  INVOLVEMENT,  COMMUNITY  ENGAGEMENT  AND
 CONSULTATION,  AND  CULTURAL HERITAGE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY,
 INCLUDING WATER MANAGEMENT, AIR QUALITY, GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, NOISE
 MANAGEMENT, PROTECTION OF ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY, AND MANAGEMENT OF
 TOXINS INCLUDING MERCURY AND CYANIDE. WHENEVER AVAILABLE, STANDARDS  AND
 EVALUATIONS  SHALL  CONFORM  TO  THOSE OF THE INITIATIVE FOR RESPONSIBLE
 MINING ASSURANCE.
   (IX) "UPFIT  OR  RETROFIT  MANUFACTURER"  MEANS  A  MANUFACTURER  THAT
 INSTALLS  EQUIPMENT  ON  AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE CHASSIS PURCHASED FROM AN
 ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER.  THE  UPFIT  OR  RETROFIT  MANUFACTURER
 SHALL BEAR FULL RESPONSIBILITY UNDER FEDERAL LAW FOR ANY VEHICLE DEFECTS
 AND  SHALL  BE  RESPONSIBLE  FOR  CERTIFYING  THAT THE VEHICLE MEETS ALL
 APPLICABLE FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS.
   (B) THE AUTHORITY SHALL ESTABLISH GUIDELINES GOVERNING THE  QUALIFICA-
 TIONS  OF  ELIGIBLE  VEHICLES  AND  SHALL  CONSIDER  PROSPECTIVE VEHICLE
 CONTRACTORS' EXPERIENCE, FINANCIAL CAPABILITY  AND  RESPONSIBILITY,  AND
 PAST  PERFORMANCE,  INCLUDING  PERFORMANCE ON MEETING NEW YORK JOBS PLAN
 COMMITMENTS.
   (C) THE AUTHORITY SHALL DEVELOP PROCEDURES FOR  DETERMINING  INCENTIVE
 AMOUNTS  FOR ELIGIBLE VEHICLES. AS PART OF THE ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATION
 PROCESS, THE AUTHORITY SHALL REQUIRE PROSPECTIVE CONTRACTORS  TO  SUBMIT
 NEW  YORK  JOBS PLAN INFORMATION FOR THEMSELVES AS WELL AS THEIR SUPPLI-
 ERS.  IF A CONTRACTOR IS A ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE DEALERSHIP THAT  HAS  A
 WRITTEN  AGREEMENT  WITH  A  ZERO-EMISSION  VEHICLE  ORIGINAL  EQUIPMENT
 MANUFACTURER, THEN THE CONTRACTOR SHALL SUBMIT NEW YORK JOBS PLAN INFOR-
 MATION FROM THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER. AT A MINIMUM,  THE  NEW
 YORK JOBS PLAN SHALL REQUIRE PROSPECTIVE CONTRACTORS AND THEIR SUPPLIERS
 TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
   (I)  THE  MINIMUM  NUMBER  OF  FULL-TIME  EQUIVALENT PERMANENT JOBS IN
 PRODUCTION OCCUPATIONS TO BE RETAINED AND CREATED PER TEN VEHICLE SALES;
   (II) THE MINIMUM WAGE LEVELS BY JOB CLASSIFICATION;
   (III) THE MINIMUM AMOUNTS THAT WILL BE PAID FOR FRINGE BENEFITS BY JOB
 CLASSIFICATION;
   (IV) THE MINIMUM AMOUNTS THAT WILL BE PAID FOR WORKER TRAINING BY  JOB
 CLASSIFICATION;
   (V)  INFORMATION ON RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAMS TARGETED SPECIF-
 ICALLY TOWARDS INDIVIDUALS  FACING  BARRIERS  TO  EMPLOYMENT,  DISPLACED
 WORKERS, AND DISADVANTAGED WORKERS;
   (VI) LIFECYCLE EMISSIONS ANALYSIS OF THE VEHICLES;
   (VII)  THE  MINIMUM  PERCENT  TOTAL  VALUES OF RECYCLED CONTENT IN THE
 CHASSIS, BODY, BATTERY, AND MOTOR, ALONG WITH THE TOTAL VALUE OF EACH OF
 THESE COMPONENTS;
 S. 5552                            14
 
   (VIII) A PLAN TO MAXIMIZE REUSE AND RECYCLING OF THE TRACTION  BATTERY
 AT END OF USE IN VEHICLES; AND
   (IX)  A  PLAN  TO  PURCHASE  MOTORS MANUFACTURED USING RECYCLED (FIRST
 PRIORITY) OR RESPONSIBLY-MINED (SECOND PRIORITY)  COPPER  AND  BATTERIES
 USING RECYCLED OR RESPONSIBLY-MINED LITHIUM, NICKEL, AND COBALT, ACCORD-
 ING  TO  THE STANDARDS AND ASSESSMENTS ESTABLISHED BY THE INITIATIVE FOR
 RESPONSIBLE MINING ASSURANCE.
   (D) UPON CERTIFICATION OF AN ELIGIBLE VEHICLE, THE NEW YORK JOBS  PLAN
 INFORMATION SHALL BE INCORPORATED AS A MATERIAL TERM OF THE CONTRACT.
   (E)  TO  DETERMINE THE INCENTIVE AMOUNT FOR EACH ELIGIBLE VEHICLE, THE
 AUTHORITY SHALL SCORE THE CONTRACTOR'S AND THE  CONTRACTOR'S  SUPPLIERS'
 NEW  YORK JOBS PLAN COMMITMENTS FROM ZERO TO ONE HUNDRED, ACCORDING TO A
 FORMULA WHICH INCLUDES COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENTS OF:
   (I) ECONOMIC BENEFITS:  FIFTY  PERCENT.  ECONOMIC  BENEFITS  SHALL  BE
 CALCULATED  AS  THE PRODUCT OF FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT POSITIONS CREATED OR
 RETAINED AT EACH CLASSIFICATION AND THE SQUARE OF EACH  CLASSIFICATION'S
 TOTAL COMPENSATION, WAGES, AND MONETARY FRINGE BENEFITS.
   (II)  WORKFORCE  DEVELOPMENT: TEN PERCENT. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SHALL
 BE CALCULATED AS THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT IN WORKER  TRAINING  FOR
 EMPLOYEES  OF  THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER OVER THE TWELVE-MONTH
 PERIOD PRIOR TO FINAL DELIVERY OF  THE  VEHICLE.  WORKFORCE  DEVELOPMENT
 SHALL ACCOUNT FOR TEN PERCENT OF THE COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT.
   (III)  INCLUSION:  FIFTEEN PERCENT. INCLUSION SHALL BE CALCULATED AS A
 QUALITATIVE EVALUATION OF THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER'S RECRUIT-
 ING AND TRAINING  PROGRAMS  TARGETED  SPECIFICALLY  TOWARDS  INDIVIDUALS
 FACING BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT AND DISPLACED WORKERS.
   (IV)  ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT. ENVIRONMENTAL
 SUSTAINABILITY SHALL  BE  CALCULATED  AS  AN  INTEGRATED  EVALUATION  OF
 SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING PRACTICES, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING FACTORS:
   (1) LIFECYCLE EMISSIONS ANALYSIS: TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT;
   (2)  COMMITMENTS FOR PERCENT OF TOTAL VALUE OF RECYCLED CONTENT IN THE
 CHASSIS, BODY, BATTERY, AND MOTOR: TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT;
   (3) QUALITATIVE EVALUATION OF THE PLAN TO MAXIMIZE REUSE AND RECYCLING
 OF THE TRACTION BATTERY: TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT; AND
   (4) QUALITATIVE EVALUATION OF THE PLAN  FOR  RESPONSIBLE  SOURCING  OF
 MOTOR  AND  BATTERY MINERALS AND/OR REDUCING MINERAL USE IN THE VEHICLE:
 TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT.
   (V) NEW YORK'S REGIONAL EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: UP TO TEN BONUS POINTS.
   (F) CONTRACTORS SHALL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE QUARTERLY REPORTS TO  THE
 AUTHORITY  FOR THE FIRST YEAR AFTER A CONTRACT IS AWARDED AND THEN ANNU-
 ALLY THEREAFTER. SUCH REPORTS SHALL DETAIL PROGRESS AND COMPLIANCE  WITH
 THE  CONTRACTOR'S  NEW YORK JOBS PLAN COMMITMENTS AND THE COMMITMENTS OF
 THEIR SUPPLIERS ON FORMS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHORITY. IF ANY  SUCH  REPORT
 INDICATES  A  FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE CONTRACTOR'S NEW YORK JOBS PLAN
 COMMITMENTS, THE AUTHORITY SHALL NOTIFY SUCH CONTRACTOR OF THEIR NONCOM-
 PLIANCE AND THE TIME FRAME WITHIN WHICH COMPLIANCE MUST BE MET.  FAILURE
 TO COMPLY WITH THEIR NEW YORK JOBS PLAN  COMMITMENTS  WITHIN  THE  GIVEN
 TIME  FRAME SHALL RESULT IN FORFEITURE OF THE ENTIRE VALUE OF THE VOUCH-
 ER.
   (G) THE AUTHORITY SHALL PUBLISH NEW YORK  JOBS  PLAN  COMMITMENTS  AND
 REPORTS  TO  THE AUTHORITY'S WEBSITE WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF VEHICLE CERTIF-
 ICATION AND SHALL PUBLISH QUARTERLY REPORTS WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF  RECEIPT
 BY THE AUTHORITY.
   §  1760. BONDS AND NOTES. 1. THE AUTHORITY SHALL HAVE THE POWER AND IS
 HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE AT ONE TIME OR IN SERIES FROM  TIME  TO  TIME
 ITS  NEGOTIABLE BONDS AND NOTES IN CONFORMITY WITH APPLICABLE PROVISIONS
 S. 5552                            15
 
 OF THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE IN SUCH  PRINCIPAL  AMOUNTS  AS,  IN  THE
 OPINION  OF  THE  AUTHORITY,  SHALL  BE  NECESSARY TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT
 MONEYS FOR ACHIEVING THE AUTHORITY'S CORPORATE PURPOSES,  INCLUDING  THE
 ESTABLISHMENT  OF RESERVES TO SECURE THE BONDS AND NOTES AND THE PAYMENT
 OF INTEREST ON BONDS AND NOTES.
   2. THE AUTHORITY SHALL HAVE POWER FROM TIME TO TIME TO RENEW BONDS  OR
 NOTES  OR  TO  ISSUE  RENEWAL  BONDS OR NOTES FOR SUCH PURPOSE, TO ISSUE
 BONDS OR NOTES TO PAY BONDS OR NOTES, AND, WHENEVER IT  DEEMS  REFUNDING
 EXPEDIENT,  TO  REFUND  ANY BOND OR NOTE BY THE ISSUANCE OF NEW BONDS OR
 NOTES, WHETHER THE BONDS OR NOTES  TO  BE  REFUNDED  HAVE  OR  HAVE  NOT
 MATURED,  AND  MAY  ISSUE BONDS OR NOTES PARTLY TO REFUND BONDS OR NOTES
 THEN OUTSTANDING AND PARTLY FOR  ANY  OTHER  CORPORATE  PURPOSE  OF  THE
 AUTHORITY.  BONDS  OR  NOTES ISSUED FOR REFUNDING PURPOSES SHALL BE SOLD
 AND THE PROCEEDS APPLIED TO THE PURCHASE, REDEMPTION OR PAYMENT  OF  THE
 BONDS OR NOTES TO BE REFUNDED.
   3.  EXCEPT  AS  MAY  OTHERWISE BE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED BY THE AUTHORITY,
 EVERY ISSUE OF BONDS OR NOTES SHALL BE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS  PAYABLE  OUT
 OF  ANY  MONEYS OR REVENUES OF THE AUTHORITY, SUBJECT ONLY TO ANY AGREE-
 MENTS WITH THE HOLDERS OF BONDS OR NOTES PLEDGING ANY RECEIPTS OR REVEN-
 UES.
   4. THE BONDS AND NOTES  SHALL  BE  AUTHORIZED  BY  RESOLUTION  OF  THE
 AUTHORITY,  SHALL  BEAR  SUCH  DATE  OR DATES AND MATURE AT SUCH TIME OR
 TIMES AS SUCH RESOLUTION  SHALL  PROVIDE,  EXCEPT  THAT  NOTES  AND  ANY
 RENEWALS  THEREOF  SHALL  MATURE WITHIN FIVE YEARS FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE
 DATES OF ISSUANCE OR RENEWAL, AS THE CASE MAY BE, AND BONDS SHALL MATURE
 WITHIN FORTY YEARS FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE DATES OF ISSUANCE  OR  RENEWAL,
 AS THE CASE MAY BE. THE BONDS AND NOTES SHALL BEAR INTEREST AT SUCH RATE
 OR  RATES,  BE  IN  SUCH DENOMINATION, BE IN SUCH FORM, EITHER COUPON OR
 REGISTERED, CARRY SUCH REGISTRATION  PRIVILEGES,  BE  EXECUTED  IN  SUCH
 MANNER,  BE  PAYABLE  IN SUCH MEDIUM OF PAYMENT AT SUCH PLACE OR PLACES,
 AND BE SUBJECT TO SUCH TERMS OF REDEMPTION AS SUCH RESOLUTION OR  RESOL-
 UTIONS MAY PROVIDE.
   5.  BONDS  AND  NOTES  SHALL  BE  SOLD  BY THE AUTHORITY, AT PUBLIC OR
 PRIVATE SALE, AT SUCH PRICE OR PRICES AS THE  AUTHORITY  MAY  DETERMINE.
 BONDS  AND  NOTES OF THE AUTHORITY SHALL NOT BE SOLD BY THE AUTHORITY AT
 PRIVATE SALE UNLESS SUCH SALE AND THE TERMS THEREOF HAVE  BEEN  APPROVED
 IN  WRITING  BY  THE  COMPTROLLER,  WHERE  SUCH SALE IS NOT TO THE COMP-
 TROLLER, OR BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUDGET, WHERE SUCH  SALE  IS  TO  THE
 COMPTROLLER.
   6.  IN  THE DISCRETION OF THE AUTHORITY ANY BONDS OR ISSUE OF BONDS OR
 NOTES OR ISSUE OF NOTES MAY BE SECURED BY SUCH RESOLUTION OR BY A  TRUST
 INDENTURE BY AND BETWEEN THE AUTHORITY AND A CORPORATE TRUSTEE WHICH MAY
 BE ANY TRUST COMPANY OR BANK HAVING THE POWERS OF A TRUST COMPANY IN THE
 STATE  OR  BY  A SECURED LOAN AGREEMENT OR OTHER INSTRUMENT. SUCH RESOL-
 UTION, TRUST INDENTURE, LOAN AGREEMENT OR OTHER INSTRUMENT  MAY  CONTAIN
 ANY USUAL OR CUSTOMARY PROVISIONS, COVENANTS OR LIMITATIONS FOR BONDS OR
 NOTES  OF  SIMILAR NATURE WHICH SHALL BE A PART OF THE CONTRACT WITH THE
 HOLDERS THEREOF, INCLUDING SUCH PROVISIONS FOR PROTECTING AND  ENFORCING
 THE RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF BONDHOLDERS AND NOTEHOLDERS AS MAY BE REASON-
 ABLE AND PROPER AND NOT IN VIOLATION OF LAW.
   7. ANY RESOLUTION OR RESOLUTIONS AUTHORIZING ANY NOTES OR BONDS OR ANY
 ISSUE  THEREOF  MAY  CONTAIN  PROVISIONS,  WHICH  SHALL BE A PART OF THE
 CONTRACT WITH THE HOLDERS THEREOF, AS TO:
   (A) PLEDGING ALL OR PART OF THE FEES, CHARGES, GIFTS,  GRANTS,  RENTS,
 REVENUES OR OTHER MONEYS RECEIVED OR TO BE RECEIVED AND LEASES OR AGREE-
 MENTS TO SECURE THE PAYMENT OF THE NOTES OR BONDS OR OF ANY ISSUE THERE-
 S. 5552                            16

 OF  SUBJECT  TO  SUCH AGREEMENTS WITH BONDHOLDERS AND NOTEHOLDERS AS MAY
 THEN EXIST;
   (B)  THE  RATES  OF  THE  FEES  OR  CHARGES TO BE ESTABLISHED, AND THE
 AMOUNTS TO BE RAISED IN EACH YEAR THEREBY AND THE USE AND DISPOSITION OF
 THE FEES, CHARGES,  GIFTS,  GRANTS,  RENTS,  REVENUES  OR  OTHER  MONEYS
 RECEIVED OR TO BE RECEIVED;
   (C) THE SETTING ASIDE OF RESERVES OR SINKING FUNDS, AND THE REGULATION
 AND DISPOSITION THEREOF;
   (D)  LIMITATIONS  ON  THE PURPOSE TO WHICH THE PROCEEDS OF SALE OF ANY
 ISSUE OF NOTES OR BONDS THEN OR THEREAFTER TO BE ISSUED MAY  BE  APPLIED
 AND  PLEDGING  SUCH PROCEEDS TO SECURE THE PAYMENT OF THE NOTES OR BONDS
 OR OF ANY ISSUE THEREOF;
   (E) LIMITATIONS ON THE ISSUANCE OF  ADDITIONAL  NOTES  OR  BONDS;  THE
 TERMS  UPON  WHICH  ADDITIONAL NOTES OR BONDS MAY BE ISSUED AND SECURED;
 THE REFUNDING OF OUTSTANDING OR OTHER NOTES OR BONDS;
   (F) THE PROCEDURE, IF ANY, BY WHICH THE TERMS  OF  ANY  CONTRACT  WITH
 BONDHOLDERS  OR  NOTEHOLDERS  MAY BE AMENDED OR ABROGATED, THE AMOUNT OF
 NOTES OR BONDS THE HOLDERS OF WHICH MUST CONSENT THERETO, AND THE MANNER
 IN WHICH SUCH CONSENT MAY BE GIVEN; AND
   (G) ANY OTHER MATTERS, OF LIKE OR DIFFERENT CHARACTER,  WHICH  IN  ANY
 WAY AFFECT THE SECURITY OR PROTECTION OF THE NOTES OR BONDS.
   8.  IT  IS  THE INTENTION HEREOF THAT ANY PLEDGE MADE BY THE AUTHORITY
 SHALL BE VALID AND BINDING FROM THE TIME WHEN THE PLEDGE IS  MADE,  THAT
 THE  MONEYS  SO  PLEDGED  AND THEREAFTER RECEIVED BY THE AUTHORITY SHALL
 IMMEDIATELY BE SUBJECT TO THE LIEN OF SUCH PLEDGE WITHOUT  ANY  PHYSICAL
 DELIVERY  THEREOF  OR  FURTHER ACT, AND THAT THE LIEN OF ANY SUCH PLEDGE
 SHALL BE VALID AND BINDING AS AGAINST ALL PARTIES HAVING CLAIMS  OF  ANY
 KIND  IN  TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE AGAINST THE AUTHORITY IRRESPECTIVE
 OF WHETHER SUCH PARTIES HAVE NOTICE THEREOF. NEITHER THE RESOLUTION  NOR
 ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT BY WHICH A PLEDGE IS CREATED NEED BE RECORDED.
   9.  NEITHER  THE MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY NOR ANY PERSON EXECUTING THE
 BONDS OR NOTES SHALL BE LIABLE PERSONALLY ON THE BONDS OR  NOTES  OR  BE
 SUBJECT  TO  ANY  PERSONAL  LIABILITY OR ACCOUNTABILITY BY REASON OF THE
 ISSUANCE THEREOF.
   10. SUBJECT TO SUCH AGREEMENTS WITH BONDHOLDERS OR NOTEHOLDERS AS  MAY
 THEN  EXIST,  THE  AUTHORITY SHALL HAVE POWER OUT OF ANY FUNDS AVAILABLE
 THEREFOR TO PURCHASE BONDS OR NOTES AT A PRICE NOT EXCEEDING (A) IF  THE
 NOTES OR BONDS ARE THEN REDEEMABLE, THE REDEMPTION PRICE THEN APPLICABLE
 PLUS  ACCRUED INTEREST TO THE NEXT INTEREST PAYMENT DATE THEREON, OR (B)
 IF THE NOTES OR BONDS ARE NOT  THEN  REDEEMABLE,  THE  REDEMPTION  PRICE
 APPLICABLE ON THE FIRST DATE AFTER SUCH PURCHASE UPON WHICH THE NOTES OR
 BONDS  BECOME  SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION PLUS ACCRUED INTEREST TO SAID DATE.
 BONDS AND NOTES SO PURCHASED SHALL THEREUPON BE CANCELLED.
   11. THE STATE DOES HEREBY PLEDGE TO AND AGREE WITH THE HOLDERS OF  ANY
 BONDS  OR  NOTES  THAT  THE STATE WILL NOT LIMIT OR ALTER THE RIGHTS AND
 POWERS VESTED IN THE AUTHORITY BY THIS TITLE TO FULFILL THE TERMS OF ANY
 CONTRACT MADE BY THE AUTHORITY WITH SUCH HOLDERS, OR IN ANY  WAY  IMPAIR
 THE  RIGHTS  AND  REMEDIES  OF  SUCH HOLDERS UNTIL SUCH BONDS AND NOTES,
 TOGETHER WITH THE INTEREST THEREON, WITH INTEREST ON ANY UNPAID INSTALL-
 MENTS OF INTEREST, AND ALL COSTS AND EXPENSES  IN  CONNECTION  WITH  ANY
 ACTION  OR PROCEEDING BY OR ON BEHALF OF SUCH HOLDERS, ARE FULLY MET AND
 DISCHARGED. THE AUTHORITY IS  AUTHORIZED  TO  INCLUDE  THIS  PLEDGE  AND
 AGREEMENT  OF THE STATE, INSOFAR AS IT REFERS TO HOLDERS OF ANY BONDS OR
 NOTES, IN ANY CONTRACT WITH SUCH HOLDERS.
   § 1761. RESERVE FUNDS AND APPROPRIATIONS. 1. THE AUTHORITY MAY  CREATE
 AND  ESTABLISH  ONE  OR  MORE  RESERVE FUNDS TO BE KNOWN AS DEBT SERVICE
 S. 5552                            17
 
 RESERVE FUNDS AND MAY PAY INTO SUCH RESERVE FUNDS (A) ANY MONEYS  APPRO-
 PRIATED  AND MADE AVAILABLE BY THE STATE FOR THE PURPOSES OF SUCH FUNDS,
 (B) ANY PROCEEDS OF SALE OF BONDS AND NOTES TO THE  EXTENT  PROVIDED  IN
 THE  RESOLUTION  OF  THE AUTHORITY AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE THEREOF, (C)
 ANY MONEYS DIRECTED TO BE TRANSFERRED BY THE AUTHORITY  TO  SUCH  FUNDS,
 AND  (D)  ANY  OTHER MONEYS WHICH MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE AUTHORITY
 FOR THE PURPOSES OF SUCH FUNDS FROM ANY OTHER  SOURCE  OR  SOURCES.  THE
 MONEYS  HELD IN OR CREDITED TO ANY DEBT SERVICE RESERVE FUND ESTABLISHED
 UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION, EXCEPT AS HEREINAFTER PROVIDED,  SHALL  BE  USED
 SOLELY  FOR  THE  PAYMENT  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  OF BONDS OF THE AUTHORITY
 SECURED BY SUCH RESERVE FUND, AS THE SAME MATURE, REQUIRED  PAYMENTS  TO
 ANY SINKING FUND ESTABLISHED FOR THE AMORTIZATION OF SUCH BONDS (HEREIN-
 AFTER  REFERRED  TO AS "SINKING FUND PAYMENTS"), THE PURCHASE OR REDEMP-
 TION OF SUCH BONDS OF THE AUTHORITY, THE PAYMENT  OF  INTEREST  ON  SUCH
 BONDS OF THE AUTHORITY OR THE PAYMENT OF ANY REDEMPTION PREMIUM REQUIRED
 TO  BE  PAID  WHEN  SUCH BONDS ARE REDEEMED PRIOR TO MATURITY; PROVIDED,
 HOWEVER, THAT MONEYS IN ANY SUCH FUND SHALL NOT BE  WITHDRAWN  THEREFROM
 AT  ANY  TIME  IN SUCH AMOUNT AS WOULD REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF SUCH FUND TO
 LESS THAN THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF  PRINCIPAL  AND  INTEREST  MATURING  AND
 BECOMING DUE IN ANY SUCCEEDING CALENDAR YEAR ON THE BONDS OF THE AUTHOR-
 ITY  THEN  OUTSTANDING  AND SECURED BY SUCH RESERVE FUND, EXCEPT FOR THE
 PURPOSE OF PAYING PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS OF  THE  AUTHORITY
 SECURED  BY SUCH RESERVE FUND MATURING AND BECOMING DUE AND SINKING FUND
 PAYMENTS FOR THE PAYMENT OF WHICH OTHER MONEYS OF THE AUTHORITY ARE  NOT
 AVAILABLE.  ANY  INCOME OR INTEREST EARNED BY, OR INCREMENT TO, ANY SUCH
 DEBT SERVICE RESERVE FUND DUE TO THE INVESTMENT THEREOF  MAY  BE  TRANS-
 FERRED  TO  ANY  OTHER FUND OR ACCOUNT OF THE AUTHORITY TO THE EXTENT IT
 DOES NOT REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF SUCH DEBT SERVICE RESERVE FUND  BELOW  THE
 MAXIMUM  AMOUNT  OF  PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST MATURING AND BECOMING DUE IN
 ANY SUCCEEDING  CALENDAR  YEAR  ON  ALL  BONDS  OF  THE  AUTHORITY  THEN
 OUTSTANDING  AND  SECURED BY SUCH RESERVE FUND.  IN COMPUTING THE AMOUNT
 OF ANY DEBT SERVICE RESERVE FUND FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, SECU-
 RITIES IN WHICH ALL OR A PORTION OF SUCH RESERVE FUND ARE INVESTED SHALL
 BE VALUED AT PAR OR, IF PURCHASED AT LESS THAN PAR, AT THEIR COST TO THE
 AUTHORITY.
   2. THE AUTHORITY SHALL NOT ISSUE BONDS AT  ANY  TIME  IF  THE  MAXIMUM
 AMOUNT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST MATURING AND BECOMING DUE IN A SUCCEED-
 ING  CALENDAR  YEAR  ON  THE BONDS OUTSTANDING AND THEN TO BE ISSUED AND
 SECURED BY A DEBT SERVICE RESERVE FUND WILL EXCEED THE  AMOUNT  OF  SUCH
 RESERVE  FUND AT THE TIME OF ISSUANCE, UNLESS THE AUTHORITY, AT THE TIME
 OF ISSUANCE OF SUCH BONDS, SHALL DEPOSIT IN SUCH RESERVE FUND  FROM  THE
 PROCEEDS  OF  THE  BONDS  SO TO BE ISSUED, OR OTHERWISE, AN AMOUNT WHICH
 TOGETHER WITH THE AMOUNT THEN IN SUCH RESERVE FUND,  WILL  BE  NOT  LESS
 THAN  THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST MATURING AND BECOMING
 DUE IN ANY SUCCEEDING CALENDAR YEAR ON THE BONDS THEN TO BE  ISSUED  AND
 ON ALL OTHER BONDS OF THE AUTHORITY THEN OUTSTANDING AND SECURED BY SUCH
 RESERVE FUND.
   3. TO ASSURE THE CONTINUED OPERATION AND SOLVENCY OF THE AUTHORITY FOR
 THE  CARRYING OUT OF THE PUBLIC PURPOSES OF THIS TITLE PROVISION IS MADE
 IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION FOR THE  ACCUMULATION  IN  EACH  DEBT
 SERVICE RESERVE FUND OF AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF PRINCI-
 PAL  AND  INTEREST  MATURING AND BECOMING DUE IN ANY SUCCEEDING CALENDAR
 YEAR ON ALL BONDS OF THE AUTHORITY THEN OUTSTANDING AND SECURED BY  SUCH
 RESERVE  FUND.   IN ORDER FURTHER TO ASSURE THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH DEBT
 SERVICE RESERVE FUNDS, THERE SHALL BE ANNUALLY APPORTIONED AND  PAID  TO
 THE AUTHORITY FOR DEPOSIT IN EACH DEBT SERVICE RESERVE FUND SUCH SUM, IF
 S. 5552                            18
 
 ANY, AS SHALL BE CERTIFIED BY THE CHAIR OF THE AUTHORITY TO THE GOVERNOR
 AND  STATE  DIRECTOR  OF THE BUDGET AS NECESSARY TO RESTORE SUCH RESERVE
 FUND TO AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF PRINCIPAL AND  INTEREST
 MATURING  AND  BECOMING DUE IN ANY SUCCEEDING CALENDAR YEAR ON THE BONDS
 OF THE AUTHORITY THEN OUTSTANDING AND SECURED BY SUCH RESERVE FUND.  THE
 CHAIR OF THE AUTHORITY SHALL ANNUALLY, ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER FIRST, MAKE
 AND  DELIVER  TO THE GOVERNOR AND STATE DIRECTOR OF THE BUDGET A CERTIF-
 ICATE STATING THE SUM, IF  ANY,  REQUIRED  TO  RESTORE  EACH  SUCH  DEBT
 SERVICE  RESERVE  FUND  TO  THE AMOUNT AFORESAID, AND THE SUM OR SUMS SO
 CERTIFIED, IF ANY, SHALL BE APPORTIONED AND PAID TO THE AUTHORITY DURING
 THE THEN CURRENT STATE  FISCAL  YEAR.  THE  PRINCIPAL  AMOUNT  OF  BONDS
 SECURED BY A DEBT SERVICE RESERVE FUND OR FUNDS TO WHICH STATE FUNDS ARE
 APPORTIONABLE PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE TOTAL
 AMOUNT  OF  BONDS  AND  NOTES  OUTSTANDING ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS
 TITLE, PLUS THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF BONDS AND  NOTES  CONTRACTED  AFTER  THE
 EFFECTIVE  DATE  OF  THIS  TITLE  TO FINANCE PROJECTS IN PROGRESS ON THE
 EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS TITLE AS DETERMINED BY THE NEW YORK STATE  PUBLIC
 AUTHORITIES  CONTROL  BOARD  CREATED  PURSUANT  TO SECTION FIFTY OF THIS
 CHAPTER WHOSE AFFIRMATIVE DETERMINATION SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE  AS  TO  ALL
 MATTERS  OF  LAW  AND  FACT  SOLELY  FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE LIMITATIONS
 CONTAINED IN THIS SUBDIVISION, BUT IN NO EVENT SHALL THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF
 BONDS SO SECURED BY SUCH A DEBT SERVICE RESERVE  FUND  OR  FUNDS  EXCEED
 NINE  MILLION SIX HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS, EXCLUDING BONDS ISSUED
 TO REFUND SUCH OUTSTANDING BONDS UNTIL THE DATE OF  REDEMPTION  OF  SUCH
 OUTSTANDING  BONDS. AS OUTSTANDING BONDS SO SECURED ARE PAID, THE AMOUNT
 SO SECURED SHALL BE REDUCED  ACCORDINGLY  BUT  THE  REDEMPTION  OF  SUCH
 OUTSTANDING  BONDS FROM THE PROCEEDS OF REFUNDING BONDS SHALL NOT REDUCE
 THE AMOUNT SO SECURED.
   4. ALL AMOUNTS PAID OVER TO THE AUTHORITY BY THE STATE PURSUANT TO THE
 PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL CONSTITUTE  AND  BE  ACCOUNTED  FOR  AS
 ADVANCES  BY  THE STATE TO THE AUTHORITY AND, SUBJECT ONLY TO THE RIGHTS
 OF THE HOLDERS OF ANY BONDS OR NOTES OF  THE  AUTHORITY  THERETOFORE  OR
 THEREAFTER ISSUED, SHALL BE REPAID TO THE STATE FROM ALL AVAILABLE OPER-
 ATING  REVENUES  OF THE AUTHORITY IN EXCESS OF DEBT SERVICE RESERVE FUND
 REQUIREMENTS AND OPERATING EXPENSES.
   5. AS USED IN THIS SECTION, (A) THE TERM  "OPERATING  EXPENSES"  SHALL
 MEAN  ORDINARY  EXPENDITURES  FOR  OPERATION  AND  ADMINISTRATION OF THE
 AUTHORITY, INCLUDING MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND  REPLACEMENT  OF  AUTHORITY
 PROPERTY; AND (B) THE TERM "AVAILABLE OPERATING REVENUES" SHALL MEAN ALL
 AMOUNTS  RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT OF RENTALS AND FEES CHARGED BY THE AUTHORI-
 TY, IF ANY, AND INCOME OR INTEREST EARNED  OR  ADDED  TO  FUNDS  OF  THE
 AUTHORITY  DUE  TO  THE  INVESTMENT  THEREOF, AND NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE
 TERMS OR PROVISIONS OF ANY COVENANT OR AGREEMENT  WITH  HOLDERS  OF  ANY
 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE AUTHORITY TO BE APPLIED TO ANY PURPOSES OTHER THAN
 PAYMENT OF OPERATING EXPENSES OF THE AUTHORITY.
   §  1762.  EXEMPTION FROM TAXATION OF BONDS AND NOTES. THE STATE COVEN-
 ANTS WITH THE PURCHASERS AND WITH ALL SUBSEQUENT HOLDERS AND TRANSFEREES
 OF BONDS AND NOTES, IN CONSIDERATION OF THE ACCEPTANCE  OF  AND  PAYMENT
 FOR  THE BONDS AND NOTES, THAT THE BONDS AND NOTES AND THE INCOME THERE-
 FROM, AND ALL MONEYS, FUNDS AND REVENUES PLEDGED TO PAY  OR  SECURE  THE
 PAYMENT  OF  SUCH  BONDS AND NOTES SHALL AT ALL TIMES BE FREE FROM TAXA-
 TION, EXCEPT FOR ESTATE AND GIFT TAXES AND TAXES ON TRANSFERS.
   § 1763. BONDS AND NOTES LEGAL INVESTMENTS FOR FIDUCIARIES.  THE  BONDS
 AND  NOTES  ARE  HEREBY MADE SECURITIES IN WHICH ALL PUBLIC OFFICERS AND
 BODIES OF THE STATE AND ALL MUNICIPALITIES AND  MUNICIPAL  SUBDIVISIONS,
 ALL  INSURANCE  COMPANIES AND ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER PERSONS CARRYING ON
 S. 5552                            19
 
 AN INSURANCE BUSINESS, ALL  BANKS,  BANKERS,  TRUST  COMPANIES,  SAVINGS
 BANKS, SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS, INCLUDING SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND
 BUILDING  AND  LOAN ASSOCIATIONS, INVESTMENT COMPANIES AND OTHER PERSONS
 CARRYING  ON  A  BANKING BUSINESS, ALL ADMINISTRATORS, GUARDIANS, EXECU-
 TORS, TRUSTEES AND OTHER FIDUCIARIES, AND ALL OTHER  PERSONS  WHATSOEVER
 WHO  ARE  NOW  OR  WHO MAY HEREAFTER BE AUTHORIZED TO INVEST IN BONDS OR
 OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF THE STATE, MAY PROPERLY AND  LEGALLY  INVEST  FUNDS
 INCLUDING CAPITAL IN THEIR CONTROL OR BELONGING TO THEM. NOTWITHSTANDING
 ANY  OTHER  PROVISIONS  OF LAW, THE BONDS AND NOTES OF THE AUTHORITY ARE
 ALSO HEREBY MADE SECURITIES WHICH MAY  BE  DEPOSITED  WITH  AND  MAY  BE
 RECEIVED BY ALL PUBLIC OFFICERS AND BODIES OF THIS STATE AND ALL MUNICI-
 PALITIES AND MUNICIPAL SUBDIVISIONS FOR ANY PURPOSE FOR WHICH THE DEPOS-
 IT OF BONDS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF THE STATE IS NOW OR MAY HEREAFTER BE
 AUTHORIZED.
   § 1764. RIGHT OF STATE TO REQUIRE REDEMPTION OF BONDS. NOTWITHSTANDING
 AND  IN ADDITION TO ANY PROVISIONS FOR THE REDEMPTION OF BONDS WHICH MAY
 BE CONTAINED IN ANY CONTRACT WITH THE HOLDERS OF THE  BONDS,  THE  STATE
 MAY, UPON FURNISHING SUFFICIENT FUNDS THEREFOR, REQUIRE THE AUTHORITY TO
 REDEEM,  PRIOR TO MATURITY, AS A WHOLE, ANY ISSUE OF BONDS ON ANY INTER-
 EST PAYMENT DATE NOT LESS THAN TWENTY YEARS AFTER THE DATE OF THE  BONDS
 OF  SUCH  ISSUE  AT  ONE  HUNDRED  FIVE  PERCENT OF THEIR FACE VALUE AND
 ACCRUED INTEREST OR AT SUCH LESSER REDEMPTION PRICE AS MAY  BE  PROVIDED
 IN THE BONDS IN CASE OF THE REDEMPTION THEREOF AS A WHOLE ON THE REDEMP-
 TION  DATE. NOTICE OF SUCH REDEMPTION SHALL BE PUBLISHED IN AT LEAST TWO
 NEWSPAPERS PUBLISHED AND CIRCULATING RESPECTIVELY IN THE CITIES OF ALBA-
 NY AND NEW YORK AT LEAST TWICE, THE FIRST PUBLICATION  TO  BE  AT  LEAST
 THIRTY DAYS BEFORE THE DATE OF REDEMPTION.
   §  1765. RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF BONDHOLDERS AND NOTEHOLDERS. THE HOLD-
 ERS OF BONDS AND NOTES SHALL HAVE THE  FOLLOWING  RIGHTS  AND  REMEDIES,
 SUBJECT  TO THE TERMS OF THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUCH BONDS AND NOTES
 OR ANY TRUST INDENTURE,  SECURED  LOAN  AGREEMENT  OR  OTHER  INSTRUMENT
 RELATED THERETO:
   1.  IN  THE  EVENT  THAT THE AUTHORITY SHALL DEFAULT IN THE PAYMENT OF
 PRINCIPAL OF OR INTEREST ON ANY ISSUE OF BONDS OR NOTES AFTER  THE  SAME
 SHALL  BECOME  DUE, WHETHER AT MATURITY OR UPON CALL FOR REDEMPTION, AND
 SUCH DEFAULT SHALL CONTINUE FOR A PERIOD OF THIRTY DAYS, OR IN THE EVENT
 THAT THE AUTHORITY SHALL FAIL OR REFUSE TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF
 THIS TITLE, OR SHALL DEFAULT IN ANY CONTRACT MADE WITH  THE  HOLDERS  OF
 ANY  ISSUE  OF  BONDS OR NOTES, THE HOLDERS OF TWENTY-FIVE PER CENTUM IN
 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE BONDS OR  NOTES  OF  SUCH  ISSUE  THEN
 OUTSTANDING,  BY  INSTRUMENT  OR  INSTRUMENTS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE
 CLERK IN THE COUNTY OF ALBANY AND APPROVED OR ACKNOWLEDGED IN  THE  SAME
 MANNER  AS A DEED TO BE RECORDED, MAY APPOINT A TRUSTEE TO REPRESENT THE
 HOLDERS OF SUCH BONDS OR NOTES FOR THE PURPOSES HEREIN PROVIDED.
   2. SUCH TRUSTEE MAY, AND UPON WRITTEN REQUEST OF THE HOLDERS OF  TWEN-
 TY-FIVE  PER  CENTUM  IN  PRINCIPAL  AMOUNT  OF SUCH BONDS OR NOTES THEN
 OUTSTANDING SHALL, IN SUCH TRUSTEE'S OR ITS OWN NAME:
   (A) BY SUIT, ACTION OR SPECIAL PROCEEDING, ENFORCE ALL RIGHTS  OF  THE
 BONDHOLDERS OR NOTEHOLDERS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE AUTHORITY
 TO  COLLECT  FEES,  RENTALS AND CHARGES ADEQUATE TO CARRY OUT ANY AGREE-
 MENTS WITH THE HOLDERS OF SUCH BONDS OR NOTES AND TO PERFORM ITS  DUTIES
 UNDER THIS TITLE;
   (B) BRING SUIT UPON SUCH BONDS OR NOTES;
   (C)  BY  ACTION OR SUIT IN EQUITY, REQUIRE THE AUTHORITY TO ACCOUNT AS
 IF IT WERE THE TRUSTEE OF AN EXPRESS TRUST FOR THE HOLDERS OF SUCH BONDS
 OR NOTES;
 S. 5552                            20
 
   (D) BY ACTION OR SUIT IN EQUITY, ENJOIN ANY ACT OR THINGS WHICH MAY BE
 UNLAWFUL OR IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE HOLDERS OF SUCH  BONDS  OR
 NOTES; AND
   (E)  DECLARE  ALL  SUCH  BONDS  OR  NOTES  DUE AND PAYABLE, AND IF ALL
 DEFAULTS SHALL BE MADE GOOD THEN WITH THE  CONSENT  OF  THE  HOLDERS  OF
 TWENTY-FIVE  PER  CENTUM  OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SUCH BONDS OR NOTES
 THEN OUTSTANDING, TO ANNUL SUCH DECLARATION AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.
   3. SUCH TRUSTEE, WHETHER OR NOT THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS OR NOTES REPRES-
 ENTED BY SUCH TRUSTEE HAD BEEN DECLARED DUE AND PAYABLE, SHALL BE  ENTI-
 TLED AS OF RIGHT TO THE APPOINTMENT OF A RECEIVER OF ANY PROPERTY OF THE
 AUTHORITY,  THE  FEES,  RENTALS,  CHARGES OR OTHER REVENUES OF WHICH ARE
 PLEDGED FOR THE SECURITY OF THE BONDS OR NOTES OF SUCH  ISSUE  AND  SUCH
 RECEIVER  MAY ENTER AND TAKE POSSESSION OF SUCH PROPERTY, OR ANY PART OR
 PARTS THEREOF AND OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE SAME AND  RECEIVE  ALL  FEES,
 CHARGES,  RENTALS  AND  OTHER  REVENUES THEREAFTER ARISING THEREFROM AND
 EXERCISE SUCH OTHER POWERS OF THE AUTHORITY AS THE COURT MAY DEEM ADVIS-
 ABLE AND PERFORM THE PUBLIC DUTIES AND  CARRY  OUT  THE  AGREEMENTS  AND
 OBLIGATIONS  OF  THE  AUTHORITY UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE COURT. IN ANY
 SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE TRUSTEE THE  FEES,  COUNSEL  FEES  AND
 EXPENSES  OF  THE  TRUSTEE AND OF THE RECEIVER, IF ANY, SHALL CONSTITUTE
 TAXABLE DISBURSEMENTS AND ALL COSTS AND  DISBURSEMENTS  ALLOWED  BY  THE
 COURT  SHALL  BE  A FIRST CHARGE ON ANY FEES, CHARGES, RENTALS AND OTHER
 REVENUES DERIVED FROM SUCH PROPERTIES.
   4. SUCH TRUSTEE SHALL IN ADDITION TO THE FOREGOING  HAVE  AND  POSSESS
 ALL OF THE POWERS NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE FOR THE EXERCISE OF ANY FUNC-
 TIONS SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH HEREIN OR INCIDENT TO THE GENERAL REPRESEN-
 TATION  OF  BONDHOLDERS OR NOTEHOLDERS IN THE ENFORCEMENT AND PROTECTION
 OF THEIR RIGHTS.
   5. THE SUPREME COURT SHALL HAVE JURISDICTION OF ANY  SUIT,  ACTION  OR
 PROCEEDING  BY THE TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF SUCH BONDHOLDERS OR NOTEHOLDERS.
 THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE  LAID  IN  THE
 COUNTY OF ALBANY.
   6.  BEFORE  DECLARING THE PRINCIPAL OF BONDS OR NOTES DUE AND PAYABLE,
 THE TRUSTEE SHALL FIRST GIVE THIRTY  DAYS'  NOTICE  IN  WRITING  TO  THE
 GOVERNOR,  TO  THE  AUTHORITY,  TO  THE  COMPTROLLER AND TO THE ATTORNEY
 GENERAL OF THE STATE.
   § 1766. STATE NOT LIABLE ON BONDS AND NOTES. THE BONDS AND NOTES SHALL
 NOT BE A DEBT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK NOR SHALL  THE  STATE  BE  LIABLE
 THEREON  AND  SUCH  BONDS  AND NOTES SHALL CONTAIN ON THE FACE THEREOF A
 STATEMENT TO THAT EFFECT.
   § 4. The tax law is amended by adding a new article 29-E  to  read  as
 follows:
                                ARTICLE 29-E
                  FOR-HIRE VEHICLE IMPROVEMENT SURCHARGE
 SECTION 1299-AA. DEFINITIONS.
         1299-BB. IMPOSITION OF TAX.
         1299-CC. LIABILITY FOR SURCHARGE.
         1299-DD. RETURNS AND PAYMENT OF SURCHARGE.
         1299-EE. RECORDS TO BE KEPT.
         1299-FF. DEPOSIT AND DISPOSITION OF REVENUE.
   § 1299-AA. DEFINITIONS. AS USED OR REFERRED TO IN THIS ARTICLE, UNLESS
 A DIFFERENT MEANING CLEARLY APPEARS FROM THE CONTEXT:
   (A)  "PERSON"  MEANS  AN  INDIVIDUAL,  PARTNERSHIP,  LIMITED LIABILITY
 COMPANY, SOCIETY, ASSOCIATION, JOINT STOCK COMPANY, CORPORATION, ESTATE,
 RECEIVER, TRUSTEE, ASSIGNEE, REFEREE OR ANY OTHER  PERSON  ACTING  IN  A
 FIDUCIARY  OR  REPRESENTATIVE  CAPACITY, WHETHER APPOINTED BY A COURT OR
 S. 5552                            21
 
 OTHERWISE, ANY COMBINATION OF INDIVIDUALS AND ANY OTHER FORM OF UNINCOR-
 PORATED ENTERPRISE OWNED OR CONDUCTED BY TWO OR MORE PERSONS.
   (B)    "AUTHORITY"  MEANS  THE  GREEN  ACCESSIBLE TRANSITION AUTHORITY
 ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO  SECTION  SEVENTEEN  HUNDRED  FIFTY-ONE  OF  THE
 PUBLIC AUTHORITIES LAW.
   (C)  "FOR-HIRE VEHICLE" MEANS ANY TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY VEHI-
 CLE (TNC VEHICLE) AS DEFINED IN SECTION SIXTEEN  HUNDRED  NINETY-ONE  OF
 THE  VEHICLE  AND  TRAFFIC  LAW  AND  ANY FOR-HIRE VEHICLE AS DEFINED IN
 SECTION 19-502 OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
   (D) "FOR-HIRE TRANSPORTATION TRIP" MEANS TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED IN  A
 FOR-HIRE  VEHICLE  AS  DEFINED  IN  SUBDIVISION (C) OF THIS SECTION, FOR
 WHICH A CHARGE IS MADE.
   (E) "HIGH-VOLUME FOR-HIRE SERVICE" SHALL  HAVE  THE  SAME  MEANING  AS
 DEFINED  IN SECTION 19-502 OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF THE CITY OF NEW
 YORK.
   § 1299-BB. IMPOSITION OF TAX.  (A) IN ADDITION TO  ANY  OTHER  TAX  OR
 ASSESSMENT IMPOSED BY THIS CHAPTER OR OTHER LAW, THERE IS HEREBY IMPOSED
 A  SURCHARGE    OF  ONE  DOLLAR  FOR  EACH  FOR-HIRE TRANSPORTATION TRIP
 CONDUCTED IN A TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY VEHICLE OR BY  A  HIGH-VO-
 LUME  FOR-HIRE  SERVICE,  OTHER  THAN  TRIPS DISPATCHED BY A PARATRANSIT
 SERVICE.
   (B) RECEIPTS SUBJECT TO TAX UNDER PARAGRAPH TEN OF SUBDIVISION (C)  OF
 SECTION  ELEVEN  HUNDRED FIVE OF THIS CHAPTER SHALL BE DEEMED TO EXCLUDE
 ANY SURCHARGE IMPOSED BY THIS ARTICLE.
   § 1299-CC. LIABILITY FOR SURCHARGE. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY  PROVISION
 OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, ANY PERSON WHO DISPATCHES A MOTOR VEHICLE BY ANY
 MEANS  THAT  PROVIDES  TRANSPORTATION  THAT  IS  SUBJECT  TO A SURCHARGE
 IMPOSED BY THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE LIABLE FOR  THE  SURCHARGE  IMPOSED  BY
 THIS ARTICLE.
   (B) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY LAW TO THE CONTRARY: (1) THE SURCHARGE IMPOSED
 BY THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE PASSED ALONG TO PASSENGERS AND SEPARATELY STAT-
 ED ON ANY RECEIPT THAT IS PROVIDED TO SUCH PASSENGERS. THE PASSING ALONG
 OF  SUCH SURCHARGE SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED BY ANY COURT OR ADMINISTRATIVE
 BODY AS THE IMPOSITION OF THE SURCHARGE ON THE  PERSON  OR  ENTITY  THAT
 PAYS FOR THE FOR-HIRE TRANSPORTATION TRIP. ALL REGULATORY AGENCIES SHALL
 ADJUST  ANY  FARES  THAT  ARE AUTHORIZED BY SUCH AGENCIES TO INCLUDE THE
 SURCHARGE IMPOSED BY THIS ARTICLE AND SHALL REQUIRE THAT  ANY  METER  OR
 OTHER  INSTRUMENT  USED IN ANY FOR-HIRE VEHICLE REGULATED BY SUCH AGENCY
 TO CALCULATE FARES BE ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE THE SURCHARGE.
   (2) NEITHER THE FAILURE OF A REGULATORY AGENCY TO ADJUST FARES NOR THE
 FAILURE TO ADJUST A METER OR OTHER INSTRUMENT USED IN A FOR-HIRE VEHICLE
 TO CALCULATE FARES SHALL RELIEVE ANY PERSON  LIABLE  FOR  THE  SURCHARGE
 IMPOSED BY THIS ARTICLE FROM THE OBLIGATION TO PAY SUCH SURCHARGE.
   §  1299-DD.  RETURNS AND PAYMENT OF SURCHARGE. (A) EVERY PERSON LIABLE
 FOR THE SURCHARGE IMPOSED BY THIS ARTICLE SHALL FILE A RETURN  WITH  THE
 COMMISSIONER  ON  A  MONTHLY BASIS. EACH RETURN SHALL SHOW THE NUMBER OF
 FOR-HIRE TRANSPORTATION TRIPS SUBJECT TO THE SURCHARGE IMPOSED  BY  THIS
 ARTICLE  IN  THE  MONTH  FOR  WHICH THE RETURN IS FILED, ALONG WITH SUCH
 OTHER INFORMATION AS THE COMMISSIONER MAY REQUIRE. THE RETURNS  REQUIRED
 BY  THIS  SECTION SHALL BE FILED WITHIN TWENTY DAYS AFTER THE END OF THE
 MONTH COVERED THEREBY. IF THE COMMISSIONER DEEMS IT NECESSARY TO  ENSURE
 THE  PAYMENT  OF THE SURCHARGE IMPOSED BY THIS ARTICLE, THE COMMISSIONER
 MAY REQUIRE RETURNS TO BE MADE FOR SHORTER PERIODS  THAN  PRESCRIBED  BY
 THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION, AND UPON SUCH DATES AS MAY BE SPECIFIED.
 THE  FORM  OF  RETURNS SHALL BE PRESCRIBED BY THE COMMISSIONER AND SHALL
 CONTAIN SUCH INFORMATION AS THE COMMISSIONER MAY DEEM NECESSARY FOR  THE
 S. 5552                            22
 
 PROPER ADMINISTRATION OF THIS ARTICLE. THE COMMISSIONER MAY REQUIRE THAT
 RETURNS BE FILED ELECTRONICALLY.
   (B)  EVERY  PERSON  LIABLE  FOR  THE SURCHARGE IMPOSED BY THIS ARTICLE
 SHALL, AT THE TIME OF FILING SUCH RETURN, PAY TO  THE  COMMISSIONER  THE
 TOTAL AMOUNT OF ALL SURCHARGES DUE UNDER THIS ARTICLE. SUCH AMOUNT SHALL
 BE  DUE  AND  PAYABLE ON THE DATE SPECIFIED FOR THE FILING OF THE RETURN
 FOR SUCH PERIOD, WITHOUT REGARD TO WHETHER A RETURN IS FILED, OR WHETHER
 THE RETURN THAT IS FILED CORRECTLY SHOWS THE CORRECT NUMBER OF  FOR-HIRE
 TRIPS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO THE SURCHARGE, OR THE CORRECT SURCHARGE AMOUNT
 DUE  THEREON.  THE  COMMISSIONER  MAY REQUIRE THAT THE SURCHARGE BE PAID
 ELECTRONICALLY.
   (C) IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER PENALTY OR INTEREST  PROVIDED  FOR  UNDER
 THIS  ARTICLE  OR OTHER LAW, AND UNLESS IT IS SHOWN THAT SUCH FAILURE IS
 DUE TO REASONABLE CAUSE AND NOT  DUE  TO  WILLFUL  NEGLECT,  ANY  PERSON
 LIABLE  FOR THE SURCHARGE IMPOSED BY THIS ARTICLE THAT FAILS TO PAY SUCH
 SURCHARGE WHEN DUE SHALL BE LIABLE FOR A PENALTY IN AN AMOUNT  EQUAL  TO
 TWO HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE TOTAL SURCHARGE AMOUNT THAT IS DUE.
   §  1299-EE. RECORDS TO BE KEPT.  EVERY PERSON LIABLE FOR THE SURCHARGE
 IMPOSED BY THIS ARTICLE SHALL KEEP, AND SHALL MAKE AVAILABLE FOR  REVIEW
 UPON DEMAND BY THE COMMISSIONER:
   (A)  RECORDS  OF  EVERY  TRIP  PROVIDED OR ARRANGED BY SUCH PERSON, OR
 PROVIDED THROUGH THE USE OF A FOR-HIRE VEHICLE OWNED OR LEASED  BY  SUCH
 PERSON,  INCLUDING  ALL  AMOUNTS  PAID, CHARGED, OR DUE THEREON, IN SUCH
 FORM AS THE COMMISSIONER MAY REQUIRE;
   (B) TRUE AND COMPLETE COPIES OF ANY RECORDS REQUIRED TO BE KEPT BY ANY
 APPLICABLE REGULATORY DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY; AND
   (C) SUCH OTHER RECORDS AND INFORMATION AS THE COMMISSIONER MAY REQUIRE
 TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES UNDER THIS ARTICLE.
   § 1299-FF. DEPOSIT AND DISPOSITION  OF  REVENUE.  (A)  ANY  SURCHARGE,
 INTEREST,  AND PENALTIES COLLECTED OR RECEIVED BY THE COMMISSIONER SHALL
 BE DEPOSITED DAILY WITH SUCH RESPONSIBLE BANKS, BANKING HOUSES, OR TRUST
 COMPANIES, AS MAY BE DESIGNATED BY THE COMPTROLLER, TO THE CREDIT OF THE
 COMPTROLLER IN TRUST FOR THE GREEN ACCESSIBLE TRANSITION  AUTHORITY.  AN
 ACCOUNT  MAY  BE  ESTABLISHED  IN ONE OR MORE OF SUCH DEPOSITORIES. SUCH
 DEPOSITS SHALL BE KEPT SEPARATE AND APART FROM ALL OTHER  MONEY  IN  THE
 POSSESSION  OF  THE  COMPTROLLER. THE COMPTROLLER SHALL REQUIRE ADEQUATE
 SECURITY FROM ALL SUCH DEPOSITORIES. OF THE TOTAL REVENUE  COLLECTED  OR
 RECEIVED UNDER THIS ARTICLE, THE COMPTROLLER SHALL RETAIN SUCH AMOUNT AS
 THE  COMMISSIONER  MAY  DETERMINE TO BE NECESSARY FOR REFUNDS UNDER THIS
 ARTICLE. THE COMMISSIONER IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO DEDUCT FROM  THE
 AMOUNTS  THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES UNDER THIS ARTICLE, BEFORE DEPOSIT INTO
 THE TRUST ACCOUNTS DESIGNATED BY THE COMPTROLLER,  A  REASONABLE  AMOUNT
 NECESSARY  TO  EFFECTUATE REFUNDS OF APPROPRIATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT TO
 REIMBURSE THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE COSTS INCURRED TO  ADMINISTER,  COLLECT
 AND  DISTRIBUTE  THE  SURCHARGE, INTEREST, AND PENALTIES IMPOSED BY THIS
 ARTICLE.
   (B) ON OR BEFORE THE TWELFTH DAY OF EACH MONTH, AFTER  RESERVING  SUCH
 AMOUNT  FOR  SUCH  REFUNDS AND DEDUCTING SUCH AMOUNTS FOR SUCH COSTS, AS
 PROVIDED FOR IN SUBDIVISION (A) OF THIS SECTION, THE COMMISSIONER  SHALL
 CERTIFY TO THE COMPTROLLER THE AMOUNT OF REVENUES SO RECEIVED DURING THE
 PRIOR  MONTH  AS  A  RESULT OF THE SURCHARGE, INTEREST, AND PENALTIES SO
 IMPOSED. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF LAW  TO  THE  CONTRARY,  AFTER
 DEDUCTING THE AMOUNTS SPECIFIED IN THIS SUBDIVISION, THE REMAINING FUNDS
 COLLECTED  SHALL BE DEPOSITED BY THE COMPTROLLER, WITHOUT APPROPRIATION,
 INTO THE  GREEN  ACCESSIBLE  TRANSITION  FUND  ESTABLISHED  PURSUANT  TO
 SECTION SEVENTEEN HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE OF THE PUBLIC AUTHORITIES LAW.
 S. 5552                            23
 
   §  5. The sum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000), or so much thereof
 as may be necessary, is hereby  appropriated  to  the  green  accessible
 transition authority from any moneys in the state treasury in the gener-
 al fund to the credit of the state purposes account not otherwise appro-
 priated  for  the  purposes  of carrying out the provisions of this act.
 Such sum shall be payable on the audit and warrant of  the  state  comp-
 troller  on  vouchers certified or approved by the secretary of state or
 such secretary's duly designated representative in the  manner  provided
 by law.
   § 6. This act shall take effect immediately.