Assembly extends Black Car Benefit Fund through 2028 amid debate over scope and oversight

The Assembly on the floor advanced legislation to extend the New York Black Car Benefit Fund for three more years, keeping in place a small passenger surcharge that pays for workerscompensation coverage and supplemental health services for black car, livery and ride-hail drivers.

The bill, Assembly No. 7928 (Rules Report 174), sponsored by Miss Cruz, passed in a near-party-line vote, with the clerk announcing "Ayes, 142; Nos, 2." The law continues authorizing the fundand the existing passenger surcharge that supports it.

The bill matters because the fund fills a gap for drivers who are often classified as independent contractors and therefore may lack employer-provided benefits. Sponsor Miss Cruz summarized the programhistory on the floor: "The Black Car Fund was created by New York State statute in 1999 to provide workers' compensation coverage to over a hundred thousand independent contractors drivers affiliated with over 500 member bases, including Uber and Lyft. Funded by passenger surcharge, it ensures drivers injured on the job receive benefit without taxpayer costs." She also described later why she supported the extension: "The New York State Black Car Benefit Fund was created with a clear and meaningful purpose to provide workers' compensation coverage for black car drivers who are often classified as independent contractors and…