BILL NUMBER: S4530A
SPONSOR: SCARCELLA-SPANTON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to exempting
active duty military members based at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, NY and
Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, New York who reside in a city with a
population of one million or more from E-ZPass tolls associated with the
Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to provide toll exemptions for active duty.
military personnel who are based at Fort Hamilton and Fort Wadsworth who
often must travel throughout New York City for healthcare needs and
military service requirements.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Section 2855 of the public authorities law, as added by
section 1 of part KK of chapter of the laws of 2006, is amended to allow
any authority to exempt all military members in active military service
of the United States, as defined by section one of the military law, who
are based in Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn and Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island
using a New York customer service E-ZPass account for travel within the
state from the payment of any tolls therefor; provided, however, that
such exemption shall not apply to trips made by vehicles that are used
for commercial purposes.
Application for such toll exemption shall be made in such manner as
shall be prescribed by the New York E-ZPass customer service center or
successor entity and shall contain such information as such entity may
require.
The provisions of paragraph (a) of this subdivision shall also apply to
spouses and dependent children of all military members in active mili-
tary service of the United States who are affiliated with Fort Hamilton
and Fort Wadsworth if such family members reside in the same household
as such military members.
Section 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it
shall have become law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendments
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such an effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Current New York Military Law grants free passage through bridges,
tunnels and toll booths and ferries for members belonging to branches of
the New York Military Force when they are traveling on official govern-
ment business. It includes the New York National Guard, New York Air
National Guard, New York Naval Militia & New York Guard.
Members of the New York Military Force have used government vehicles
with E-ZPass. Alternatively, use a special government pass called
"Tag9". Prior to cashless toll implementation, the toll booth operator
would stamp it, and the toll would be waived. The passes will not work
with new gantries, which will replace toll booths along the NYS Thruway
by the end of 2020.
Service members who use their own private vehicles end up paying a tot
more. These tolls add up. Especially if you must go to a military base
downstate or wherever the case may be. It can add up to hundreds of
dollars.
Active military members using personal vehicles are often on their way
to military bases with orders in hand, traveling throughout New York
City seeking accessible medical and mental healthcare. This legislation
is set to ensure that active military, using their own vehicles, should
not be charged even if the only solution they can give them is being
reimbursed.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024; Held in Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Senate
Committee.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Yet to be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have
become 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 and completed on or
before such an effective date.

Statutes affected:
S4530: 2855 public authorities law
S4530A: 2855 public authorities law