BILL NUMBER: S533
SPONSOR: MARTINS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the public authorities
law, in relation to congestion pricing in New York city, and repealing
certain provisions of the vehicle and traffic law, the public authori-
ties law, the public officers law, the tax law, and subpart A of part
ZZZ of chapter 59 of the laws of 2019, amending the vehicle and traffic
law and the public authorities law relating to establishing a central
business district tolling program in the city of New York and amending
the public officers law relating to confidentiality of certain public
records, relating thereto (Part A); and to amend the public authorities
law, in relation to commissioning an independent forensic audit of the
metropolitan transportation authority; and providing for the repeal of
such provisions upon the expiration thereof (Part B)
 
PURPOSE:
Repeals congestion pricing and directs the Metropolitan Transportation
Authority to contract with a certified public accounting firm for the
conducting of an independent forensicòaudit.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Part A repeals article 44c of the vehicle and traffic law; amends subdi-
vison 4 of the vehicle and traffic law; repeals paragraph S of subdivi-
sion 9 of section 553 of the public authorities law; repeals subdivision
12-a of section 553 of the public authorities law; repeals section 553-j
of the public authorities law; repeals paragraph p of subdivision 2 of
section 87 of the public officers law; repeals section 553-): of the
public authorities law; repeals sections 9, 10 and 11 of subpart A of
part ZZZ of chap 59 of the laws of 2019; Amends section 566-a of the
public authorities law; and repeals subsection jjj of section 606 of the
tax law. Part B amends the public authorities law by adding a new
section 1265-c to establish an independent forensic audit of the Metro-
politan. Transportation Authority. Section 3 of part B is the effective
date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill is necessary to provide tax relief for people living and work-
ing around New York City and to ensure that the MTA is operating with
fiscally sound practices.
Congestion pricing increases the cost to suburban drivers and commuters
from areas outside of New York City and New York, adding additional
costs to the already skyrocketing cost of living in our state.. These
fees would be charged to every vehicle, including law enforcement and
emergency personnel, entering the congestion zone regardless of how many
times in one day they enter the zone. This includes whether they are
going home, to work, to a medical appointment, shopping or dining, etc.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority should not put the burden of
their mismanagement onto the drivers of New York. Furthermore, it is
also unacceptable and improper that the details were delegated to an
unelected commission to decide rather than to those who serve the
public.
The second part of this legislation is intended to provide clarity and
transparency regarding the finances-of the MTA. The MTA has been cutting
services and raising fares all while continuing to operate on a deficit
without the help of state or federal funds. To ensure that New Yorkers
tax dollars are being spent wisely, it is necessary to provide sunshine
over the MTA's financial practices.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S.5425; Referred to Transportation.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S533: 1630 vehicle and traffic law, 1630(4) vehicle and traffic law, 553 public authorities law, 553(9) public authorities law, 553(12-a) public authorities law, 553-j public authorities law, 553-k public authorities law, 566-a public authorities law, 606 tax law, 606(jjj) tax law