BILL NUMBER: S2723

SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to enacting the
"MTA board member attendance act"

 
PURPOSE:

Establishes a law to require MTA board members to attend at least half
of the public hearings on fare increases before voting on the increase
in order to encourage genuine public input into MTA decision making and
to ensure that MTA board members give due consideration to the views of
the riding public before raising fares.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Short title.

Section 2: Amends subdivision 3 of section 1263 of the public authori-
ties law to require that MTA board members be present for a majority of
              

public hearings on any fare increase in order to be able to vote on such
a proposal.

Section 3: Sets effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

It is not enough for the MTA to hold hearings on a proposed fare hike.
MTA board members have to actually attend the hearings.  Unfortunately,
MTA fare hearings are often poorly attended by board members. In order
to make an educated decision on any proposed fare increase, the MTA
board members must consider any concerns from the public; those members
who choose not to ought to be prohibited from casting a vote on a fare
increase.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

Senate

2013-2014: S6845, Referred to Transportation

2015-2016: S1423, Referred to Transportation

2017-2018: S1367, Referred to Transportation

2019-2020- S524, Referred to Transportation

2021-2022- S4246, Referred to Transportation

Assembly

2013-2014: A2346, Referred to Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions

2015-2016: A266, Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commissions

2017-2018: A1210, Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commissions

2019-2020- A4575, Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commissions

2021-2022- No Assembly Same-As

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.