Requires the MTA to hold hearings in each county affected by proposed fare increases, major reductions of transportation and/or major service changes; does not apply to standard seasonal or holiday adjustments, temporary changes due to routine maintenance and/or temporary changes in response to emergency situations; requires the authority to hold a hearing in each county of a service area that is affected by the proposed change(s) in fares or services, provided that such hearings be limited to one hearing per calendar day.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A642
SPONSOR: Rosenthal TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to requirements
for metropolitan transportation authority hearings for proposed fare
increases, major reductions of transportation and/or major service
changes
PURPOSE:
This bill requires the MTA to hold hearings regarding changes in fares
or service in each county and to limit the number of hearings per day to
one.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one amends Section 1263 of the public authorities law amended by
adding a new subdivision 10.
Section two sets forth the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
In the most recent round of public comment hearings regarding fare
increases and service cuts, the MTA held nine forums simultaneously in
different areas of the MTA region, inhibiting commuters' access to
information and their ability to publicly comment on the proposals in
three of the MTA regions affected by these increases and/or service
cuts. Holding multiple hearings on a single day also inhibits the
members of the MT A board from attending hearings in the regions they
were appointed to represent.
This legislation would require the MTA to hold a public hearing in each
county affected by a proposed fare increase or major change in service
and limit the number of hearings to one per calendar day. These changes
will ensure that the public will have the ability to comment on proposed
changes to the cost of and level of service that the MTA provides them.
They will also ensure that board members appointed to represent the
public are able to assess the impact that such proposals will have on
their everyday lives.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: A.388 - Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commissions;
S.2462 - Referred to Transportation
2021-22: A.1206 - Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commissions;
S.5823 - Referred to Transportation
2019-20: A.606 - Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commissions;
S.2816 - Referred to Transportation
2017-18: A.5182 - Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commissions;
S.4152 - Referred to Transportation
2015-16: A.1011 - Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commissions;
S.246 - Referred to Transportation
2013-14: A.9060 - Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commissions;
5.6399 - Referred to Transportation
2011-12: A.1726-A - Passed Assembly; S.7372 - Referred to Transportation
2009-10: A.10303-A Vetoed; S.7458 - Vetoed
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the State.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This bill shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
642
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY(Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to requirements
for metropolitan transportation authority hearings for proposed fare
increases, major reductions of transportation and/or major service
changes
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 1263 of the public authorities law is amended by
2 adding a new subdivision 10 to read as follows:
3 10. (a) The authority shall hold hearings in each county affected by
4 proposed fare increases, major reductions of transportation and/or major
5 service changes.
6 (b) The hearing requirements set forth in paragraph (a) of this subdi-
7 vision shall not apply to standard seasonal or holiday adjustments,
8 temporary changes due to routine maintenance and/or temporary changes in
9 response to emergency situations.
10 (c) The authority shall hold a hearing in each county of a service
11 area that is affected by the proposed change or changes in fares or
12 services, provided that such hearings be limited to one hearing per
13 calendar day.
14 § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
15 have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02406-01-5
