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.
STATE OF NEW YORK
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6645--A
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 3, 2023
___________
Introduced by Sens. COMRIE, BORRELLO -- read twice and ordered printed,
and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation --
recommitted to the Committee on Transportation in accordance with
Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered
reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
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. Section 378-a of the public authorities law, as added by
2 chapter 23 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
3 § 378-a. Emergency service permits. 1. The authority is hereby author-
4 ized and directed to [issue refunds for tolls incurred by ambulances or
5 fire vehicles engaged in an emergency operation, or, at the option of
6 the authority, to] issue emergency services permits for use by ambu-
7 lances and fire vehicles which shall provide for travel at no charge
8 between interchanges and barriers while such vehicles are engaged in an
9 emergency operation. For purposes of this section, the term "ambulance"
10 shall have the same meaning as such term is defined by section one
11 hundred-b of the vehicle and traffic law, the term "fire vehicle" shall
12 have the same meaning as such term is defined by section one hundred
13 fifteen-a of the vehicle and traffic law, and the term "emergency opera-
14 tion" shall have the same meaning as such term is defined by section one
15 hundred fourteen-b of the vehicle and traffic law. In any rules and
16 regulations promulgated for the implementation of this section, the
17 authority may establish the type of documentation or other proof satis-
18 factory to the authority that an ambulance or fire vehicle was engaged
19 in an emergency operation at the time a toll was incurred.
20 2. If, upon the completion of an audit conducted by a certified public
21 accountant selected by the authority, the authority can demonstrate that
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10280-05-4
S. 6645--A 2
1 the issuance of [refunds or] permits as authorized in subdivision one of
2 this section causes a significant loss of revenue to the authority, the
3 authority is authorized, pursuant to a resolution of the board, to offer
4 such [refunds or] permits at a discount of the cash cost per mile;
5 provided, however, that, prior to such board resolution, the authority
6 shall hold at least two public hearings, at a time and location which
7 will, to the extent practicable, maximize the participation of the
8 general public.
9 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
