WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 9750

Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Samra Brouk and 3 co-sponsors

Requires new York road projects funded with federal/state money to use complete street design, prioritizing pedestrians, cyclists, transit, and motorists alike.

REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 9750

Summary of Bill S.9750 (Session 2025-2026, New York)

Purpose

S.9750 seeks to enable safe access to public roads for all users by mandating the use of complete street design principles in state, county, and local transportation projects under New York’s Highway Law. The bill applies to projects overseen by the Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and those receiving both federal and state funding, expanding consideration of safety and multimodal access beyond motor vehicles to include pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transportation users.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1 (Amendment to Highway Law §331(a)):

    • For all major transportation projects undertaken by the department or funded with both federal and state dollars and subject to NYSDOT oversight:
    • Complete street design features must be considered in planning, design, construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation.
    • Complete street considerations must be included in resurfacing, maintenance, and pavement recycling projects only if the project’s service life is at least ten years.
    • The focus is on improving convenient access and mobility for all users (motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transportation users) across the road network.

  • Section 2 (Amendment to Highway Law §331(c)(iii)):

    • Clarifies factors for determining demonstrated lack of need for a project, including land use, current and projected traffic volumes, population density, and community support. The language emphasizes objective criteria to assess the necessity of projects.

  • Section 3 (Effective Date):

    • The act would take effect 180 days after becoming law.
    • It does not apply retroactively to transportation projects undertaken or approved before the act becomes law.
    • The act allows immediate action to adopt or amend rules and regulations necessary for implementation on the effective date.

Who/What is Affected

  • Government Agencies:

    • New York Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and other state, county, and local agencies responsible for transportation projects that receive federal and state funding or fall under NYSDOT oversight.

  • Projects:

    • State, county, and local transportation projects that involve planning, design, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, resurfacing, maintenance, or pavement recycling (subject to the ten-year service life condition for certain maintenance and resurfacing projects).

  • Public Users:

    • All users of the road network: motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit users, reflecting a complete streets approach.

Procedural/Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and Referral:

    • Introduced by Sen. Cooney (April 2, 2026) and referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation.

  • Effective Date:

    • Generally applies 180 days after enactment, with immediate authority to adjust implementing regulations.

  • Exclusions:

    • The bill does not apply to projects undertaken or approved before the act’s effective date.

Potential Impact

  • Promotes multimodal safety and accessibility by embedding complete street design principles into major transportation work.
  • May influence project planning and design decisions to better accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users.
  • Could affect project scope and funding considerations, particularly for resurfacing and maintenance projects with a projected service life of at least ten years.

Note: The bill maintains a framework for evaluating project necessity with defined criteria, potentially guiding more community- and land-use-aware decision-making.

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

Sign in to ask a question.