BILL NUMBER: S8566
SPONSOR: RHOADS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to require the department of transportation to study the regional
fairness of state funding for local roadway paving purposes; and provid-
ing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL::
This bill directs the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT)
to direct a study on the regional fairness of State funding for local
roadway paving and maintenance.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::
Section 1 establishes legislative intent, for the legislature to direct
the department of transportation to study the regional equity of exist-
ing local roadway aid formulas and programs and to make recommendations
as to whether adjustments are needed. This will include consideration of
whether SHIPS, or a substantially similar program be reestablished and
funded.
Section 2 directs the department of transportation to conduct a compre-
hensive study on the fairness and adequacy of state aid provided to
municipalities for local roadway paving, and lists the necessary content
the study must include.
Section 3 directs the commissioner to deliver a report on the findings
of the study and recommendations to the governor and specified legisla-
tive officials. This section also establishes that such report must be
made publicly available.
Section 4 establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION::
New York State residents pay hefty taxes, yet the road conditions in
their communities are in dire need of repair and paving. This is partic-
ularly true for Long Island and the Hudson Valley, where road-aid fund-
ing per capita falls far short than most other places in the State.
Studies conducted on road funding across New York State have shown that
Long Island, along with the Hudson Valley, do not get their fair share.
This study will show whether current funding streams for suburban road-
way systems provide regional fairness for Long Island and the Hudson
Valley. The study will provide recommendations to whether adjustments to
the current funding system must be made and offer suggestions in doing
so.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS::
TBD.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE::
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have
become law and shall expire and be deemed repealed one year after such
effective date.