New York Senate Bill S04705

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/11/25
• Refer: 2/11/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Repeals congestion pricing.

Summary

This bill would repeal New York City’s central business district tolling program, commonly known as congestion pricing. It eliminates Article 44-C of the Vehicle and Traffic Law and repeals multiple related provisions in the Public Authorities Law, Public Officers Law, and Tax Law that were enacted in 2019 to authorize, implement, and support the program. The bill also removes language that specifically recognized the congestion pricing program as part of the public highway system and as an essential governmental function. In practical terms, the measure would undo the statutory framework for charging vehicles to enter or remain in the designated Manhattan central business district. It would also repeal associated confidentiality provisions and tax-related provisions tied to the program and the financing structure of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and related bond covenants. The bill takes effect immediately, so if enacted it would promptly change the legal basis for toll collection and related administrative arrangements.

Impact

The bill would substantially amend New York’s transportation and public finance laws by removing the legal authority for congestion pricing in New York City and repealing several companion provisions that were added in 2019. It would affect the Vehicle and Traffic Law, Public Authorities Law, Public Officers Law, and Tax Law, and would eliminate statutory references supporting the MTA’s central business district tolling program and related bond/tax treatment. The repeal would directly affect drivers subject to the toll, the MTA and other public authorities involved in implementation, and any bondholders or parties relying on the existing statutory framework.

Sentiment

The available context suggests the bill is introduced in opposition to congestion pricing and reflects a repeal effort rather than a bipartisan compromise. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no documented debate in the supplied materials. The caption and text indicate a clear anti-congestion-pricing position, while the absence of voting history means broader legislative sentiment cannot be measured from the record provided.

Contention

The main point of contention is the congestion pricing program itself: supporters of repeal would likely argue that the toll is burdensome for drivers, commuters, and businesses, while opponents would view it as an important transportation and revenue tool for Manhattan and the MTA. A second area of dispute is the program’s financing and legal structure, since the bill would remove provisions tied to bond covenants, tax exemptions, and confidentiality rules that were designed to support implementation. The bill’s repeal of multiple related statutes suggests the controversy extends beyond tolling policy to the broader fiscal and administrative framework built around the program.