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A 6976

Extends the metropolitan transportation authority's half fare rate program to persons receiving benefits from the supplemental nutrition assistance program

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Steven Raga

Extends the MTA half-fare program to SNAP beneficiaries, giving SNAP recipients 50% off subway and bus fares in the MTA service area.

REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
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Bill Summary · A 6976

Bill Summary: A 6976 – Extends the MTA Half-Fare Program to SNAP Beneficiaries

Overview

A 6976, introduced March 18, 2025, seeks to extend the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) half-fare program to individuals who receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill is sponsored by primary sponsor Steven Raga and is currently in committee.

What the bill would do

  • Expand eligibility for the MTA half-fare rate (50% fare discount) to include SNAP recipients.
  • The bill’s title indicates a broad extension of the program to a new beneficiary group, the SNAP benefit population.

Key provisions (as indicated by available summary information)

  • Eligibility expansion: SNAP beneficiaries would qualify for the MTA half-fare discount.
  • Administration: The MTA would administer the half-fare benefit for SNAP recipients, consistent with existing half-fare administration.
  • No explicit funding or cost figures are provided in the summary available.

Who would be affected

  • SNAP recipients in the MTA service area would become eligible for half-fare discounts on eligible transit services (e.g., subway and buses) under the MTA program.
  • Other current eligible groups for the half-fare program (such as those already qualifying by age or disability, if applicable under current law) would remain eligible according to existing rules; the bill specifically adds SNAP beneficiaries to the list of eligible recipients.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: March 18, 2025.
  • Status: Referred to the Assembly committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions.
  • Legislative actions logged: The bill has a single committee referral entry (noting two identical entries on the same date in the provided record).

Fiscal and implementation considerations

  • The summary does not specify funding, cost estimates, or funding sources.
  • Implementing SNAP-based eligibility could require coordination between the MTA and state SNAP administering agencies (e.g., for eligibility verification).
  • The fiscal impact (to the MTA budget and farebox revenue) would depend on the number of SNAP beneficiaries added and any resulting changes in ridership.

Next steps

  • Committee review, potential amendments, and floor consideration.
  • If advanced, potential hearings to assess fiscal impact, administrative requirements, and implementation timelines.
  • Ultimate passage would require enactment and any necessary regulatory or operational updates by the MTA and related agencies.

Sponsor: Steven Raga (primary).

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

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