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Bill

A 379

Allows the New York state thruway authority to provide a discounted toll rate to farmers transporting agricultural products

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Berger and 6 co-sponsors

Bill A 379 allows discounted toll rates for farmers transporting agricultural products, reducing their costs and supporting New York's agricultural economy and consumer prices.

REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
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Bill Summary · A 379

Summary of Bill A 379

Bill Information

  • Bill Number: A 379
  • Title: Allows the New York State Thruway Authority to provide a discounted toll rate to farmers transporting agricultural products
  • Status: Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
  • Introduced: January 08, 2025
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

Bill A 379 aims to support the agricultural sector in New York by enabling the New York State Thruway Authority to offer discounted toll rates specifically for farmers transporting agricultural products. The intent behind this legislation is to reduce transportation costs for farmers, thereby promoting the local agricultural economy and ensuring that consumers have access to affordable agricultural goods.

Key Provisions

  • Discounted Toll Rates: The bill authorizes the New York State Thruway Authority to establish a program that provides reduced toll rates for farmers. This program would apply to vehicles transporting agricultural products, which may include crops, livestock, and other farm-related goods.
  • Eligibility Criteria: While the specific eligibility criteria for farmers to qualify for the discounted rates are not detailed in the current version of the bill, it is expected that the Thruway Authority will define these parameters based on the needs of the agricultural community.
  • Implementation Timeline: The bill does not specify an exact timeline for implementation; however, once passed, it is anticipated that the Thruway Authority will move quickly to develop the necessary regulations and procedures to facilitate the discount program.

Impact

  • Farmers: The primary beneficiaries of this bill will be farmers who rely on the Thruway for transporting their products to markets. The reduced toll rates could significantly lower their operational costs, allowing them to allocate more resources towards production and sustainability.
  • Agricultural Economy: By easing transportation costs, the bill aims to enhance the competitiveness of New York's agricultural sector, potentially leading to increased production and sales.
  • Consumers: Ultimately, consumers may benefit from lower prices on agricultural products as farmers save on transportation costs and pass those savings on to buyers.

Legislative Process

  • Current Status: As of January 08, 2025, the bill has been referred to the Corporations, Authorities and Commissions committee for further consideration.
  • Related Bills: This bill is related to several prior-session bills (S 4826, A 10493, A 1265, A 3568, A 1012) and has a companion bill (S 2168) that may address similar issues or provide additional context for the proposed legislation.

In summary, Bill A 379 represents a targeted effort to support New York's farmers by reducing transportation costs through discounted tolls, with the potential to positively impact the agricultural economy and consumer prices.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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