New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A09070

Introduced
9/5/25  
Refer
9/5/25  

Caption

Directs the commissioner of transportation, in consultation with the New York state bridge authority, thruway authority, triborough bridge and tunnel authority, metropolitan transportation authority, and port authority of New York and New Jersey, shall conduct a statewide study and review of the tolling authorities' regulations and policies in relation to cashless tolling and tolls by mail collection (Part A); provides that no fine, fee or administrative charge for the late payment of a toll shall exceed ten per centum of the amount of such toll owed or be accessed within one hundred eighty days from the date of the incurred toll (Part B); requires the department of transportation, in consultation and cooperation with the New York state thruway authority, the New York state bridge authority, the metropolitan transportation authority, and the Port authority of New York and New Jersey, maintain a central website with the contact information for each authority's relevant toll payer advocate office and customer service center including phone numbers, email addresses and a website address or hyperlink for each authority's toll payer advocate help request form (Part C); establishes a cashless tolling amnesty program for certain public authorities (Part D).

Impact

One of the critical aspects of the bill is its proposal to cap administrative charges associated with late toll payments. Specifically, no fee can exceed ten percent of the owed toll nor can any fines be assessed within 180 days of incurring the toll. This measure is intended to shield drivers from excessive charges that can accumulate due to miscommunication and a lack of timely notifications. Furthermore, the bill introduces an amnesty program to waive violation fees and penalties for drivers who settle their overdue cashless toll charges within a stipulated timeframe. A principal aim behind these changes is to encourage compliance and mitigate the financial strain on drivers who unintentionally miss toll payments.

Summary

Bill A09070, known as the 'Toll Payer Advocacy and Relief Act', introduces a comprehensive approach to address issues associated with cashless tolling and tolls by mail in New York. The legislation mandates the commissioner of transportation to conduct a thorough study of the practices and regulations applied by tolling authorities, analyzing the financial burdens placed on drivers through fines, fees, and lack of sufficient notification regarding toll charges. This study will aim to pinpoint the challenges faced by drivers, especially concerning communication gaps and the effectiveness of support systems like the toll payer advocate offices.

Contention

Despite the anticipated benefits, the bill may face opposition from equity advocates who argue that it does not adequately address all system flaws existing within the tolling infrastructure. Concerns may arise regarding the feasibility of effectively implementing the proposed amnesty program and ensuring that communication between authorities and drivers improves significantly. The amendment of the public authorities law to enforce these changes may raise questions about enforcement consistency and the adequacy of the advocacy provided by toll payer offices. While the intentions are directed towards bettering the toll experience for motorists, critics might emphasize that more substantial structural changes are necessary to comprehensively address the systemic issues of fairness and efficiency in toll collection practices.

Companion Bills

NY S09493

Same As Directs the commissioner of transportation, in consultation with the New York state bridge authority, thruway authority, triborough bridge and tunnel authority, metropolitan transportation authority, and port authority of New York and New Jersey, shall conduct a statewide study and review of the tolling authorities' regulations and policies in relation to cashless tolling and tolls by mail collection (Part A); provides that no fine, fee or administrative charge for the late payment of a toll shall exceed ten per centum of the amount of such toll owed or be accessed within one hundred eighty days from the date of the incurred toll (Part B); requires the department of transportation, in consultation and cooperation with the New York state thruway authority, the New York state bridge authority, the metropolitan transportation authority, and the Port authority of New York and New Jersey, maintain a central website with the contact information for each authority's relevant toll payer advocate office and customer service center including phone numbers, email addresses and a website address or hyperlink for each authority's toll payer advocate help request form (Part C); establishes a cashless tolling amnesty program for certain public authorities (Part D).

Previously Filed As

NY S09493

Directs the commissioner of transportation, in consultation with the New York state bridge authority, thruway authority, triborough bridge and tunnel authority, metropolitan transportation authority, and port authority of New York and New Jersey, shall conduct a statewide study and review of the tolling authorities' regulations and policies in relation to cashless tolling and tolls by mail collection (Part A); provides that no fine, fee or administrative charge for the late payment of a toll shall exceed ten per centum of the amount of such toll owed or be accessed within one hundred eighty days from the date of the incurred toll (Part B); requires the department of transportation, in consultation and cooperation with the New York state thruway authority, the New York state bridge authority, the metropolitan transportation authority, and the Port authority of New York and New Jersey, maintain a central website with the contact information for each authority's relevant toll payer advocate office and customer service center including phone numbers, email addresses and a website address or hyperlink for each authority's toll payer advocate help request form (Part C); establishes a cashless tolling amnesty program for certain public authorities (Part D).

NY S02245

Requires the triborough bridge authority to establish a cashless tolling amnesty program; requires the metropolitan transportation authority to post their fee waiver policy on their website.

NY A05695

Requires the triborough bridge authority to establish a cashless tolling amnesty program; requires the metropolitan transportation authority to post their fee waiver policy on their website.

NY A05024

Directs the Department of Transportation, the Bridge Authority, the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel authority, the Thruway authority, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to each conduct a study of certain bridges spanning bodies of water connected to deep water ports in the state to determine whether such bridges have the structural integrity to withstand an impact from large vessels such as cargo ships, oil tankers and cruise ships; requires a report and recommendations; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.

NY S09216

Directs the Department of Transportation, the Bridge Authority, the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel authority, the Thruway authority, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to each conduct a study of certain bridges spanning bodies of water connected to deep water ports in the state to determine whether such bridges have the structural integrity to withstand an impact from large vessels such as cargo ships, oil tankers and cruise ships; requires a report and recommendations; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.

NY A04488

Directs the New York state thruway authority to discontinue the collection of tolls at the Grand Island bridges in the Niagara section of the Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway.

NY A07503

Directs the New York state thruway authority to discontinue and remove the Yonkers toll plaza on the New York state thruway.

NY A09030

Directs the New York state energy resource and development authority, in collaboration with the New York state thruway authority, the department of transportation, and the New York power authority, to conduct a feasibility study on installing solar panels and other renewable energy systems along state highways and to submit a report relating thereto.

NY A10716

Enacts the "End the Toll Trap: Real Relief for Drivers Act" to address excess administrative costs incurred by public authorities for the collection of toll payments and to ensure repeat toll evaders pay such costs; creates the New York and New Jersey toll and fees reduction task force to examine and evaluate the efficacy of current payment processing procedures and systems, and to provide recommendations to increase efficacy and reduce tolls and administrative fees.

NY S09503

Enacts the "End the Toll Trap: Real Relief for Drivers Act" to address excess administrative costs incurred by public authorities for the collection of toll payments and to ensure repeat toll evaders pay such costs; creates the New York and New Jersey toll and fees reduction task force to examine and evaluate the efficacy of current payment processing procedures and systems, and to provide recommendations to increase efficacy and reduce tolls and administrative fees.

Similar Bills

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