BILL NUMBER: S314A
SPONSOR: SALAZAR
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to directing the
New York state energy research and development authority to establish a
ride clean rebate program
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
An act to direct NYSERDA to establish a Ride Clean Rebate Program. In
line with the legalization of class one, class two, and class three
bicycles with electric assist passed in the Governor's 2020 Budget (see:
Vehicle & Traffic Law Section 102-c), this bill will encourage the
expansion of electric bikes across New York State, thereby expanding
carbon-free mobility across New York State.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the public authorities law by adding a new section 1885
establishing a "ride clean program" to allow purchasers of bicycles with
electric assists and electric scooters to be eligible for a 50% (up to
$1,100) rebate, providing the battery on the bike or scooter has been
certified by an accredited testing laboratory for compliance with a safe
battery standard. NYSERDA is directed to establish and implement this
program and to issue annual reports detailing the status of the program.
Section 2 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
E-bikes and electric cars are part of the low carbon mobility future.
Given that seventy-five percent of auto trips and fifty-five percent of
transit trips in NYC are under five miles, this rebate would encourage
more New Yorkers to purchase and utilize e-bikes for trips under five-
miles removing congestion, traffic, and harmful emissions from our roads
and air. This would also be a stimulus to new entrepreneurship as elec-
tric bicycles are an emerging industry in New York State.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
This legislation would help to mitigate the impacts of climate change by
reducing carbon emissions, overall traffic and congestion, and encourag-
ing a shift to renewable modes of transportation.
 
AMENDED BILL
The "A" print of the bill makes technical changes and also explicitly
requires that batteries in e-bike or electric scooters eligible for the
rebate be certified by an accredited testing laboratory for compliance
with a safe battery standard.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
SENATE:
2020: S9019 - Referred to rules
2021: S3080A - Referred to Energy and Telecommunications, Referred to
Energy and Telecommunications, discharged to Rules, passed Senate, 60 -
3.
2022: Referred to Energy and Telecommunications, discharged to Rules,
passed Senate, 60-3.
2023: Referred to Energy and Telecommunications, reported. Passed
Senate, 4815.
ASSEMBLY:
2020: A10974 (Carroll)- Referred to Energy
2021: A516A (Caroll)- Referred to Energy, Amend, recommit to Energy,
referred to Ways and Means
2022: Referred to Ways and Means
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Minimal
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately