Senate Transportation Committee advances most bills; congestion-pricing repeal defeated

The New York State Senate Standing Committee on Transportation, chaired by State Senator Jeremy Cooney, considered 23 bills in a regularly scheduled meeting. Most measures were reported out of committee or referred to other committees for further consideration; one prominent measure to repeal congestion pricing in New York City failed to advance.

Committee Chair State Senator Jeremy Cooney opened the session and confirmed a quorum before the clerk read bills aloud. The committee moved a range of items including bills to establish a work‑zone safety fund, increase penalties for certain traffic offenses, authorize distinctive license plates, and create a road salt reduction council.

Why it matters: Several bills will proceed to the Senate Finance, Codes, or Corporations committees, where they may receive further amendment or debate. The committee’s rejection of the congestion‑pricing repeal (S533) keeps the current congestion‑pricing framework intact at the committee level.

Votes at a glance (selected bills discussed and committee outcomes):

- S346 (Cooney) — “An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the transportation law in relation to work‑zone safety and to amend the state finance law in relation to establishing the work zone safety fund.” Motion moved and seconded; the committee referred the bill to Finance.

- S533 (Martins) — “An act … in relation to congestion pricing in New York City and repealing certain provisions … and commissioning an independent forensic audit of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.” A motion to move the bill was seconded (Senator Martinez). The clerk recorded 7 votes against out of 13 members present and on paper; the bill was defeated in committee.

- S682 (Martinez) — “Increase penalties for stopping, standing, or parking in handicapped spaces without a handicap permit.” Motion moved by Senator Liu, seconded by Senator Harcum; the bill was recorded (reported out of committee).

- S979 (Raulerson) — “Establishing the offense of aggravated reckless driving.” Motion moved and seconded; the committee found sufficient votes to advance the bill and referred it to the Codes Committee.

- S1427 (Steck) — “Noncommercial driver’s licenses and learner’s permits in counties … bordering land.” After a paper second and roll call, the clerk recorded at least 8 no votes out of 13 members; the bill was defeated.

- S1871 (Walchick) — “Removing the additional service charge for distinctive ALS Association license plates.” Motion moved and seconded; the committee had sufficient votes to advance the bill and referred it to Corporations.

- Sponsor withdrawal — One bill referenced as “42108” was pulled from the agenda at the sponsor’s request and not considered.

- S2110A (Oberacher) — “Designating a portion of the state highway system to Trooper Jill E. Matisse.” Motion moved and seconded; the bill was reported out of committee.

- S2114 (Cooney) — “Vehicular Violence Accountability Act” (amend vehicle and traffic law and the penal law). Motion moved by Senator Martinez, seconded by Senator Liu; the committee referred the bill to Codes.

- S2261? / S22 61 (Cooney listed the bill as 22 61) — “Authorizing distinctive plates for family members of paid professional firefighters.” Motion moved by Senator Hinchey, seconded by Senator Harcum; the bill was reported.

- S3156 (Mayer) — “Exemptions for violations pertaining to certain mufflers and exhaust systems.” Motion moved and seconded; the bill was reported.

- S3240 (Cooney) — “Prohibiting school‑bus drivers carrying students from using handheld mobile devices (hands‑free requirement).” Motion moved by Senator Hinchey, seconded by Senator Liu; the bill was reported.

- S4647A (Cooney) — “Increase in penalties for certain speed violations.” Motion moved and seconded; the bill was referred to Finance.

- S5164 (Comrie) — “Process for filling vacancies on a Long Island Railroad Commuters Council.” Motion moved and seconded; the bill was recorded/reported (with some recorded AWRs noted).

- S6008 (Baskin) — “Establishing the Fallen Skywalker’s Memorial Bridge.” Motion moved and seconded; the bill was reported.

- S6815 (Comrie) — “Affirmative defense for bus lane restrictions in New York City.” Motion moved and seconded; the bill was reported.

- S6976A (Harcombe) — “Establishing the New York Road Salt Reduction Council and Advisory Committee.” Senator Harkam spoke at length about chloride‑related contamination and local well closures and framed the bill as balancing road safety and water‑quality concerns. Motion moved by Senator Hinchey, seconded by Senator Liu; the bill was reported.

- S7200A (Ryan) — “Vintage snowmobile registrations.” Motion moved and seconded; the bill was reported.

- S7366 (Martinez) — “Designating a portion of the state highway system as the Port Authority Detective Thomas Inman Memorial Bridge.” Motion moved and seconded; the bill was reported.

- S7678 (Mayer) — “School speed‑zone camera demonstration program for the city of White Plains.” Motion moved; the bill was reported.

- S7720 (Galavan) — “Authorizing Blue Star mother and Blue Star family distinctive license plates and establishing a support fund.” Motion moved and seconded; the bill was reported.

Discussion, direction, and decisions

- Discussion points: Senator Harkam described local water‑quality impacts tied to road‑salt chloride concentrations in the East‑of‑Hudson watershed and municipal/private well closures in her district. Several members noted regional differences in their districts when discussing the congestion‑pricing repeal and other transportation measures.

- Directions: Multiple bills were referred to relevant second committees (Finance, Codes, Corporations) for further consideration; one bill was withdrawn by the sponsor.

- Decisions: Most bills on the agenda were reported out of committee or referred; S533 (congestion‑pricing repeal) and S1427 (driver’s‑license changes) were defeated in committee.

Ending: Chair Cooney closed the meeting and thanked members and staff for their participation.