New York Note – Congestion Pricing, Cannabis Settlement, State Bills

December 4, 2023

TMRB Releases Congestion Pricing Tolling Structure Recommendations

The Traffic Mobility Review Board has issued their report on a recommended tolling structure for the Central Business District tolling program. The TMRB recommended a $15 base toll for passenger vehicles, discounted overnight pricing, discounts for motorcycles, and $24 or $36 toll for trucks. A toll credit will be given to those coming through tolled entries into the CBD, and a per-ride CBD toll will be added to each taxi or rideshare trip. None of the 133 groups who requested exemptions received them in the recommendations. The TMRB noted that they considered but did not ultimately recommend a discount for those coming into the CBD to seek medical treatment. The full report is available here. The recommendations will be submitted to the MTA board, who will make an initial vote at their meeting next week. The proposed toll structure will then be open for months of public comment, including public hearings in February 2024. The MTA Board will consider the findings and comments and approve a final toll structure ahead of implementation.

Cannabis Control Board Settles Lawsuit

The New York State Cannabis Control Board voted to approve a settlement that would resolve two lawsuits. The settlement will end two lawsuits and end a three-month freeze on recreational dispensary openings. 436 retail license holders were involved in the litigation and will now be able to open shops and begin deliveries of cannabis. The CCB voted unanimously in favor of the settlement. The judge will now need to approve the lawsuits.

Bills Awaiting Governor Hochul’s Signature

165 bills still require the action of Governor Hochul, out of almost 900 bills jointly approved by the state Senate and Assembly. She has acted on 727 bills so far this year. Some of the unsigned bills include the Wrongful Death Act, a ban on non-compete agreements, a commission on reparations, building owner transparency, the LLC Transparency Act, closing the “Frankenstein” rent loophole, and establishing even-numbered elections outside NYC.

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