Bill S 6221 establishes additional state building aid for school districts to help cover specific infrastructure costs associated with transitioning to zero-emission school buses. This aid applies to "incremental zero-emission school bus storage costs," such as facility modifications for wider doors, specialized lifts, and charge management systems. It also covers "incremental customer-owned make-ready costs" for infrastructure needed to install electric vehicle chargers. This financial support is available for approved expenditures through the 2034-2035 school year, provided they are not reimbursed by other state, federal, or electric utility funding sources.
S 5422 exempts zero-emission school buses and all necessary parts/equipment for their operation from New York's sales and use tax. This directly affects school districts and bus purchasers by removing a cost barrier when buying or maintaining electric or hydrogen-powered school buses. The bill adds a specific tax exemption to the tax law, applying to buses defined in education law §3638. It will take effect during the first sales tax period starting after 30 days from when the bill becomes law.
Eliminates the zero-emission school bus mandate; authorizes the New York state energy research and development authority conduct a study to determine the feasibility of converting school buses to zero-emission vehicles.
This bill prohibits school bus drivers from using hands-free mobile telephones while operating a bus carrying students. It directly affects school bus drivers during student transport, with exceptions for emergencies (like contacting emergency services) or when the bus is parked safely off the road. The law allows use of exempt devices like two-way radios for school district communication, as designated by education officials. It does not ban all phone use but specifically targets hands-free devices during active student transport.
This bill directs the state transportation authority to continue funding and operating express bus routes connecting Staten Island's south shore communities (including Tottenville, Prince's Bay, and Rossville) to Manhattan business districts. It specifically requires the authority to take over two existing routes (X23 and X24) from Academy Bus Company starting in 2027, serving communities like Huguenot and Arden Heights. The bill mandates ongoing service for these routes without interruption, ensuring transportation access for residents in these specific Staten Island neighborhoods. It focuses on maintaining current transit infrastructure rather than creating new services or altering route structures.
S 1528 establishes a tax on carbon-based fuels like coal, natural gas, and petroleum, imposed on fuel distributors and utilities based on carbon dioxide emissions. The tax starts at $35 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent and increases by $15 annually to a maximum of $185 per ton. Revenue from the tax funds a dedicated "Carbon Dioxide Emissions Fund," with 60% returned as tax credits to low-to-moderate income residents (below 115% of area median income) and 40% allocated to clean energy transition, mass transit, and climate adaptation projects. The bill requires annual reporting by distributors and utilities and mandates public reporting on tax adjustments to address inflation and climate goals.
Eliminates from the class A misdemeanor of theft of services, the avoidance of payment for railroad, subway, bus or other public transportation services; allows for community service in lieu of a civil penalty for certain offenders of theft of transit services.
Bill A 7985 requires the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to install fire extinguishers throughout its transit system. It mandates that one encased, alarmed, and publicly accessible fire extinguisher be placed inside every subway station. Additionally, the bill stipulates that one such fire extinguisher must be installed in each subway car and bus operated by the MTA. This legislation directly affects the MTA by imposing new equipment installation requirements.
This bill prohibits the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) from using cleaning chemicals that can cause asthma or worsen asthma symptoms in workers or riders. It requires the New York State Health Commissioner to create and maintain a list of banned chemicals, which the MTA must then stop using in all facility and equipment cleaning. The law directly affects MTA employees and passengers who use subway stations, trains, and buses, particularly in areas with higher asthma rates. The MTA must switch to safer alternatives within 180 days of the bill taking effect.
This bill requires the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to notify subway, train, and bus customers within 24 hours if bed bugs are found on its vehicles or in stations. It mandates the MTA to establish a system for these notifications, which could include updates on its website, via email, or through text messages. The law directly affects MTA riders who may be exposed to bed bug infestations during transit. The key provision is the 24-hour notification timeline, replacing any current informal or delayed communication practices. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
