Provides that the thruway authority shall issue permits for ambulances and fire vehicles exempting such vehicles from paying tolls on the thruway when engaged in an emergency operation.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A34
SPONSOR: Eachus TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the issuance
of permits to exempt ambulances and fire vehicles from paying tolls on
the New York state thruway when engaged in an emergency operation
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation requires the thruway authority to issue emergency
services permits to ambulance and fire vehicles, which would exempt such
vehicles from paying tolls while engaged in an emergency operation.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends section 378-a of the public authorities law, in
relation to requiring the thruway authority to issue emergency services
permits for certain emergency vehicles, exempting such vehicles from
tolls. Requires the thruway authority to promulgate rules and regu-
lations to establish a process for applications for emergency service
permits and issue refunds in the interim period.
Section 2. Sets effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
The New York State Thruway Authority currently issues emergency services
permits to fire vehicles which exempt such vehicles from paying tolls
while they are engaged in an emergency operation. This is a great idea,
however, this exemption is not currently automatically given to ambu-
lances. EMS agencies are currently allowed to apply for reimbursement
for toll expenses, but the process is often complicated, lengthy, and
costly, leading many agencies to the conclusion that it is not worth it
to apply for reimbursement. Because of the costs associated with tolls,
some EMS agencies find ways to avoid the thruway, which increases
response times. No New Yorker's life should be put at risk because an
emergency services vehicle is unable to reach them in time because of
tolls. Requiring such an exemption would save our EMS agencies money
while they are in the process of saving lives.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24
A6136-B: Passed Assembly, S6645-B: Referred to Transportation
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Minimal, as charges are already reimbursable.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
34
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY(Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. EACHUS, LUPARDO, BUTTENSCHON, SHIMSKY, LEVENBERG,
SIMON, OTIS, LUNSFORD, DE LOS SANTOS, ZACCARO, JACOBSON, BLANKENBUSH,
GALLAHAN, TAGUE, BRABENEC, MAHER, DeSTEFANO, ANGELINO, BERGER, PAULIN,
WILLIAMS, BLUMENCRANZ, REYES, GANDOLFO, BEEPHAN, MANKTELOW, JENSEN,
GIBBS, SEAWRIGHT, LUCAS, SIMPSON, SANTABARBARA, TAYLOR, LEMONDES,
STIRPE, BARRETT, COOK, SAYEGH, WOERNER, WALSH, COLTON, EICHENSTEIN,
KELLES, STECK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corpo-
rations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the issuance
of permits to exempt ambulances and fire vehicles from paying tolls on
the New York state thruway when engaged in an emergency operation
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 378-a of the public authorities
2 law, as added by chapter 23 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as
3 follows:
4 1. The authority is hereby authorized and directed to [issue refunds
5 for tolls incurred by ambulances or fire vehicles engaged in an emergen-
6 cy operation, or, at the option of the authority, to] issue emergency
7 services permits for use by ambulances and fire vehicles which shall
8 provide for travel at no charge between interchanges and barriers while
9 such vehicles are engaged in an emergency operation, provided that the
10 authority is authorized and directed to issue refunds for tolls incurred
11 by such ambulances and fire vehicles engaged in an emergency operation
12 while the applicable application for emergency services permits is pend-
13 ing. The authority shall promulgate rules and regulations establishing
14 the process by which such ambulances and fire vehicles can apply for
15 emergency services permits. For purposes of this section, the term
16 "ambulance" shall have the same meaning as such term is defined by
17 section one hundred-b of the vehicle and traffic law, the term "fire
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00222-01-5
A. 34 2
1 vehicle" shall have the same meaning as such term is defined by section
2 one hundred fifteen-a of the vehicle and traffic law, and the term
3 "emergency operation" shall have the same meaning as such term is
4 defined by section one hundred fourteen-b of the vehicle and traffic
5 law. In any rules and regulations promulgated for the implementation of
6 this section, the authority may establish the type of documentation or
7 other proof satisfactory to the authority that an ambulance or fire
8 vehicle was engaged in an emergency operation at the time a toll was
9 incurred.
10 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
