Exempts Staten Island residents from Verrazzano-Narrows bridge tolls

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Charles Fall

Exempts Staten Island residents from Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge tolls, requiring tolling authorities to implement an eligibility exemption and adjust revenue systems.

REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS

Summary of Bill A 2099 — Exempts Staten Island residents from Verrazzano-Narrows bridge tolls

What this bill is

Bill number: A 2099

Title: Exempts Staten Island residents from Verrazzano-Narrows bridge tolls

Purpose: To remove toll charges for residents of Staten Island when crossing the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge

Sponsor: Charles Fall (primary)

Status: REFERRED to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions

Introduced: January 15, 2025

Related actions: The bill shows two identical legislative actions on January 15, 2025 (likely a duplicate entry in the record)

What the bill would do

The bill would amend applicable New York State tolling laws to exempt Staten Island residents from tolls on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.

The core effect is a toll exemption specifically for Staten Island residents when using the bridge linking Staten Island to Brooklyn.

Who would be affected

Primary beneficiaries: Residents of Staten Island who travel across the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.

Implications for tolling authorities: The bridge tolling entity would need to implement or adjust systems to recognize and apply the exemption to eligible Staten Island residents, potentially altering revenue collection, residency verification processes, and administrative procedures.

Key provisions and implementation notes (as available)

The text of the bill is not provided here, so the exact statutory amendments, eligibility criteria, verification methods, and timelines for any phased implementation or sunsets are not specified in the summary.

Given the scope, if enacted, the measure would require changes to the tolling statute governing the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge (and potentially related tolling authorities) to authorize and administer the exemption.

Legislative context and related bills

Related prior-session bills: A 9075, A 3396

Companion bills: S 3520 (listed as a companion, with duplication in the record)

These related measures suggest ongoing or repeated consideration of a Staten Island toll exemption in both Assembly and Senate tracks.

Procedural/timeline considerations

Current status: Referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions. No further action is listed in this summary.

Next steps (typical for this stage): Committee hearings, potential amendments, committee vote, consideration by the full Assembly, and eventually movement toward the Senate version or floor votes, depending on the legislative process and cross-chamber actions.

Potential impacts and considerations

Fiscal: Potential revenue impact on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge tolling authority; may necessitate offsetting measures or revenue adjustments.

Equity and access: Targeted relief for Staten Island residents; consideration of residency verification and preventing misuse.

Administrative: Need for updated tolling systems and eligibility verification workflows.

This summary provides a concise overview based on the bill’s title, sponsor, status, and related actions. For a full understanding, the official bill text and fiscal notes would be needed once released.