Assembly approves bill to create Fast Charge New York working group for EV fast chargers

The New York State Assembly on March 20 passed A.1012A, which amends the Public Authorities Law to create a 13-member Fast Charge New York working group charged with developing a statewide plan for electric-vehicle (EV) fast-charging infrastructure. The measure passed by a roll-call vote of 103 yes to 40 no and takes effect immediately.

Sponsor Assemblymember Barrett told colleagues, “This legislation is a bill to, intended to provide a comprehensive and ongoing approach to EV fast charging station implementation planning in the state of New York.” The bill extends the working group’s study period from six months to 24 months and directs the group to incorporate findings from a separate “fast charger highway and major freight corridors needs evaluation” ordered in the state budget.

The nut of the bill is the working group’s composition and scope. The law sets a 13-member panel with appointments as follows: five appointments by the governor, four by the Senate leader and four by the Assembly speaker. The statute further requires representation from municipal organizations (examples cited on the floor include NYSAC, NICOM and the Association of Towns), two environmental-justice groups, two environmental groups, two public utilities and two charging-station developers (at least one developer must be based in New York). The working group is charged with producing an initial report and updating it annually; the statute requires a 30-day public comment period on findings.

Several members who took the floor during debate said they supported planning for EV charging but raised disagreements with the bill’s structure and timing. Assemblymember Palmasano questioned the appointments and process, asking, “I noticed that there are no minority appointments in this bill. Is that correct?” Sponsor Barrett replied that the law contains no partisan litmus test and that the appointing authorities could select qualified individuals regardless of party.

Other members urged broader technical representation. Speakers on the floor said the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) and representatives from the trucking, auto and school-district communities should have clearer roles in planning, citing concerns about grid reliability, road wear from heavier electric school buses and the practical charging needs of long-haul trucks. Assemblymember Stack, who spoke in favor of the bill, described how high-speed chargers reduce “range anxiety,” saying drivers can now “drive down the Thruway and charge your car in 20 minutes or so.”

Several members explained their votes after the roll call. Assemblymember Walsh said she worried about the lack of appointment diversity but supported planning, explaining that “it’s really important that as we develop important public policy that we assemble a diversity of opinion.” Other members who opposed the bill cited concerns about reliability, costs, and the sequencing of state regulations such as the Advanced Clean Cars/Act regulations and the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

Votes at a glance A.1012A — An act to amend the Public Authorities Law to create a Fast Charge New York working group and require planning for EV fast-charging infrastructure. Outcome: passed, 103 yes, 40 no. Effective: immediately.

Next steps specified in the statute include formation of the working group, completion of its study within the 24-month window, publication of its report with a 30-day public comment period and annual updates thereafter. The bill directs the working group to consult utilities, municipalities, charging developers and other stakeholders; executing agencies such as NYSERDA were mentioned on the floor as central actors for taking recommendations forward, but the statute itself creates the planning group rather than a direct, binding implementation schedule.