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Bill

S 10353

Relates to discounted tolls on the Verrazano-Narrows bridge for residents of Kings county using a personal vehicle

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Chan and 1 co-sponsor

Kings County residents pay 70% of nonresident tolls on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, with electronic payment and 6+ crossings/month eligibility.

REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 10353

Overview

This New York bill proposes a discounted toll program for residents of Kings County (Brooklyn) who use a personal vehicle to cross the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The bill would authorize the via the Public Authorities Law a reduced toll equal to 70% of the regular crossing fare charged to nonresidents, with specific conditions and administrative steps.

Purpose and intent

  • To provide a significant toll reduction (70% off) for eligible Kings County residents when crossing the Verrazo-Narrows Bridge in a personal vehicle.
  • To ensure that any surcharge added to the regular toll is not counted as part of the base toll for purposes of the discount, and to guarantee residents remain exempt from such surcharges.
  • To target regular users (six or more crossings per month) and to tie eligibility to an established residency and the use of an electronic toll payment method.

Key provisions

  • Establishment of a reduced toll: Kings County residents with a personal vehicle would pay 70% of the regular fare charged to nonresidents.
  • Surcharges: If a bridge surcharge is imposed in addition to the regular toll, that surcharge would not be considered part of the base toll for the discount, and Kings County residents would be permanently exempt from paying the surcharge.
  • Eligibility criteria:
    • Residency: Must be a resident of Kings County.
    • Vehicle type: The toll applies when using a personal vehicle.
    • Payment method: Must use an electronic toll payment method.
    • Usage threshold: Must cross the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge six or more times per month.
  • Application process: Eligible residents must apply as prescribed by the authority, providing information reasonably required by the authority.
  • Legal framework: The provision is added as a new section (553-l) to the Public Authorities Law, with the authority empowered to implement the discount subject to existing noteholder/bondholder agreements.

Affected parties

  • Primary beneficiaries: Residents of Kings County who frequently use the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge with a personal vehicle and who pay tolls electronically.
  • Implementing agency: The relevant New York Public Authorities (presumably the authority managing the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge) would administer the discount and establish the application process.
  • Potential indirect effects: Bridge finances and bondholder agreements could be affected if the discount alters toll revenue; however, the bill notes that the authority may operate “subject to agreements with noteholders and bondholders.”

Procedural and timeline details

  • Introduction date: May 14, 2026.
  • Status: Referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation.
  • Effective date: Immediate (the act “shall take effect immediately” upon enactment).
  • Implementation: The authority would establish the discount framework, including eligibility criteria, application process, and administration, consistent with existing debt agreements.

Notes

  • The bill explicitly excludes political bias and focuses on a straightforward, language-specific toll discount policy for eligible residents.
  • It requires ongoing compliance with electronic payment and monthly usage thresholds to maintain eligibility.

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

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