NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A8273B
SPONSOR: Fahy TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the highway law, in relation to consolidated local high-
way assistance payments ("CHIPS")
PURPOSE:
Bill to allow CHIPS funds to go towards bicycle lane and Greenway trail
construction and maintenance.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Amends the highway law to allow CHIPS funds to be put towards
the construction, operation, and/or maintenance of bicycle lanes, Green-
way trails, and other trails for non-motorized use.
Section 2. Sets the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
The Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS)
provides essential funds for New York's counties, cities, towns, and
villages to build and maintain roads and bridges. However, the current
configuration of the program disincentivizes the creation of bicycle
lanes and trails for non-motorized use. The construction or maintenance
of bicycle lanes or non-motorized use trails is currently not an eligi-
ble use of CHIPS funding. Allowing localities to use CHIPS funds for
this purpose would encourage investment in bike lanes and non-motorized
use trails by providing a funding stream for their construction and
maintenance.
The legislation is needed to ensure that New York State is encouraging
investment in affordable, low-carbon modes of transportation. By facili-
tating investment in designated non-motorized use lanes and trails that
are protected from vehicular traffic, this legislation would also
improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect 180 days after it shall have become a law.
