Albany, NY – Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D–New Rochelle) announced the passage of her bill, A.589/S.4204, in both the New York State Assembly and Senate. The legislation, which now awaits the Governor’s signature, brings needed improvements to the oversight and accountability of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, a bi-state agency that manages regional airports, bridges, tunnels, and mass transit systems.

“The Port Authority is one of the most powerful and far-reaching public agencies in our region— but for far too long, it has operated without enough oversight or public accountability,” said Assemblywoman Paulin. “This legislation is about giving riders, taxpayers, and workers a seat at the table and ensuring the Port Authority never again becomes a tool for political gamesmanship.”

This reform effort stems from the 2013 Bridgegate scandal, in which senior officials ordered the closure of lanes on the George Washington Bridge for political retribution, causing massive gridlock and risking public safety. The fallout exposed serious governance failures and led to widespread, bipartisan demands for structural reform and greater public transparency at the Port Authority.

Building on the Port Authority Transparency and Accountability Act of 2015, this legislation addresses outstanding reforms and aligns New York's and New Jersey’s efforts to ensure ethical governance. Key provisions include:

• Adding four new non-voting commissioners to the Port Authority Board, including two mass transit riders recommended by rider advocacy organizations and two representatives recommended by labor unions.
• Mandating practical qualifications for Port Authority Commissioners, such as expertise in transportation, labor relations, engineering, or finance.
• Expanding whistleblower protections by allowing anonymous reports via email and text message.
• Ensuring that employee interviews conducted by the Inspector General follow collective bargaining agreements.
• Requiring Port Authority needs assessments and capital plans to be publicly posted and mandating 60-day notice to the legislatures of both states prior to any subsidiary issuing debt.
• Requiring Port Authority representatives to appear before the New York or New Jersey Legislature upon request, and to host annual public hearings on capital plan implementation.
• Creating a Transportation Advisory Committee to enhance coordination among regional transit leaders.
• Launching a formal MWBE (Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise) program within the Port Authority.
• Requiring retention of independent engineering consultants to monitor large capital projects and provide added public accountability.

The Senate companion bill, S.4204, was sponsored by State Senator Leroy Comrie, who said, “The Port Authority touches nearly every aspect of life in our region from how we get to work, to how goods move through our communities. With that reach comes a responsibility to be open, responsive, and grounded in the public good. This bill brings long-overdue reforms that strengthen transparency, elevate the voices of transit riders and workers, and improve coordination across the region. I’m proud to have worked alongside Assemblymember Paulin to move this forward and to ensure the people we serve are never left out of the conversation.”

“The Bridgegate scandal exposed deep flaws in the Port Authority’s internal governance. New Yorkers and New Jerseyans deserve a Port Authority that puts the public interest—not political manipulation—first,” Paulin added. “This bill closes longstanding gaps, creates new guardrails, and ensures that riders and workers have a voice in how the Port Authority operates.”

The legislation takes effect upon New Jersey enacting a bill with identical provisions.