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Bill

S 9056

Establishes a comprehensive study of highway construction and maintenance worker safety

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jeremy Cooney and 1 co-sponsor

New York would commission a third-party study to assess highway construction worker safety, gather stakeholder input, and report findings within one year (non-binding).

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Bill Summary · S 9056

Overview

S. 9056 (2025-2026, New York) would require a comprehensive, third-party study of highway construction worker safety. The study aims to evaluate current safety regulations, identify best practices, assess data-driven approaches, and estimate costs associated with potential safety improvements. The results are for study purposes only and not binding.

Main purpose and intent

  • To systematically assess and improve worker safety on highway road projects in New York.
  • To gather broad input from stakeholders and identify industry best practices that could enhance safety statewide.
  • To provide a detailed report with findings and recommendations within one year of the act’s effective date.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 1: Establishes the context, noting increased safety risks due to aging infrastructure and high-volume traffic. Cites NYDOT data showing work zone intrusions, injuries, and fatalities in 2024–2025.
  • Section 2: Mandates the Commissioner of Transportation to contract with a third-party entity to conduct a comprehensive study. Requirements include:
    • Consultation with a wide range of stakeholders: NYDOT, road contractors, road-construction unions, roadway workers, project administrators, municipal officials, and roadway contractor associations.
    • Hosting at least three public hearings across New York to solicit input.
  • Section 3: Clarifies that the study’s results, findings, and recommendations are for study purposes only and are not binding on the executive or legislature.
  • Section 4: Outlines study scope, including:
    • Evaluation of current road safety laws and regulations.
    • Review of best practices in the industry, including practices from other states or countries.
    • Data-driven analysis models to enhance worker protection in roadway construction.
    • Estimated costs of implementing potential new safety rules or regulations.
    • Identification of industry-best practices to improve road worker safety statewide.
  • Section 5: Requires the contracted entity to submit a report within one year of the act’s effective date to the Governor, Senate leadership, Assembly leadership, and the Commissioner of Transportation. The report must also be published on the contractor’s public website and disseminated.
  • Section 6: Effective date is immediate.

Who is affected

  • State government: New York State Department of Transportation (NYDOT) and the Governor, Senate, and Assembly leadership (for receipt and dissemination of the report).
  • Third-party contractor: Responsible for conducting the study, engaging stakeholders, hosting public hearings, and producing the final report.
  • Stakeholders in the highway construction sector:
    • Road contractors and road-construction unions
    • Roadway workers and project administrators
    • Municipal officials and roadway contractor associations
  • General public: Indirectly affected through potential future policy changes informed by the study’s recommendations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral to the Senate Committee on Transportation on January 28, 2026.
  • Contract must be awarded to a third-party entity to perform the study.
  • Public hearings: At least three across the state to gather input.
  • Reporting deadline: No later than one year after the act’s effective date; the report is to be delivered to key state leaders and published publicly.
  • Immediate effect: The act takes effect upon enactment.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Provides a structured, transparent process to evaluate and potentially reform highway worker safety practices in New York.
  • Facilitates stakeholder engagement and public input to inform future policy decisions.
  • Establishes a baseline through data-driven analysis and international best practices.
  • Because findings are non-binding, the bill sets up a study framework rather than immediate regulatory changes, though its recommendations could influence future legislation or regulatory reforms.

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

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