Provides for E-ZPass availability and waiving deposit fees for a certain period after a rate increase

Latest action Jan 7, 2026

Relates to E-ZPass availability and waiving deposit fees for a certain period after a rate increase.

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Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Amends the Public Authorities Law.

Committee

Corporations, Authorities and Commissions · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · New York State Senate, Transportation · New York State Assembly, Transportation · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

This legislation amends the public authorities law to waive the deposit required when purchasing a new E-ZPass for 60 days following a toll increase by the New York State Thruway Authority. Underbanked communi- ties are prevalent throughout New York State, with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation estimating that roughly one in four households across the state either have no bank account or utilize non-bank services for fmancial activities. As a result, the credit or debit card required to automatically reload an E-ZPass account is difficult to access for many, with other options like mailing a money order seen as time consuming and inefficient. At the same time, new toll rates from the Thruway Authority include higher rates for drivers who do not pay using EZPass, leading to further inequity. This legislation addresses this concern by also allowing individuals to reload their E-ZPass accounts using cash at any retail location where an E-ZPass can be purchased.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recorded votes

Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateApr 3, 2025Result: passed
(60) (0) (0) (3)
Vote: Committee vote · Transportation
Senate TransportationMar 18, 2025Result: passed
(13) (0) (0) (0)

The sponsor's argument

Why April Baskin says this is needed

In recent years transportation authorities have turned to cashless toll- ing to reduce congestion, improve safety and reduce air pollution. In 2020 New York State completed the move to cashless tolling statewide, requiring drivers to pay their tolls exclusively through Tolls by Mail or EZPass. On December 2, 2020 the New York State Thruway announced their plans to implement a toll increase in addition to a $2 administra- tive surcharge per billing statement, for drivers without E-ZPasses to support the move to cashless tolling. In December of 2022, the Thruway announced yet another toll increase rot those without E-ZPasses, at a much higher percentage increase than those with an EZPass. Currently, New Yorkers can purchase E-ZPasses at a number of locations, including convenience stores, supermarkets, town and county clerk offices, AAA branches, Thruway rest stops, and more. However, in order to register your pass, drivers are asked to link a valid credit card and pay an initial deposit. The NYS Thruway allows users to refill and main- tain their passes by logging into their account online and replenishing their pass via credit card, or by sending a check or money order to an E-ZPass Department in Albany. This system for maintaining an E-ZPass is outdated, and unfairly discriminates against lower-income individuals, those on a fixed income, and individuals who may not have access to a line of credit or a consistent Internet connection. With the New York State Thruway's strong emphasis on using the E-ZPass, the system must be accessible for every- one. This legislation would temporarily waive the initial deposit required by EZPass upon purchase for 60 days after toll increases are announced. It also allows people to replenish their cards - with cash if preferred - at any location where the pass can be purchased. This legis- lation makes EZPass more accessible for all New Yorkers.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

Jan 7, 2026
Died in Assembly
DIED IN ASSEMBLY
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
NY Senate
Apr 3, 2025
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
Apr 3, 2025
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
Apr 3, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
NY Assembly

Show full history (4 earlier events)

Mar 20, 2025
Advanced to Third Reading
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
NY Senate
Mar 19, 2025
2ND Report CAL.
2ND REPORT CAL.
NY Senate
Mar 18, 2025
1ST Report CAL.581
1ST REPORT CAL.581
NY Senate
Mar 4, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
NY Senate

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Nov 2, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

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