Res 0559-2026

Res. No. 559 ..Title Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, the New York State Assembly to introduce and pass a companion bill, and the New York State Governor to sign, S.4530A, in relation to exempting active duty military members based at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, NY and Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY who reside in a city with a population of one million or more from E-ZPass tolls associated with the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge ..Body By Council Members Morano, Carr and Zhuang Whereas, New York City is home to key military installations, and service members stationed in the City play an essential role in national defense and local emergency response; and Whereas, Fort Wadsworth, a 226-acre military base on the northeastern shore of Staten Island, and Fort Hamilton, a 176-acre military base on the southwestern shore of Brooklyn, are located on opposite ends of the Narrows of New York Harbor, a tidal strait separating the boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn; and Whereas, Fort Hamilton has 573 active-duty and 880 National Guard and Reserve military personnel stationed at the base and Fort Wadsworth has 1,000 active-duty personnel stationed at the base; and Whereas, Active-duty military personnel stationed at Fort Hamilton and Fort Wadsworth rely on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, a 2.6 mile long vehicular suspension toll bridge operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), as the only in-State means for motor vehicles to travel between Staten Island and the rest of New York City; and Whereas, There is currently no exemption from Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge tolls for active-duty military personnel traveling between duty stations and residences, requiring active-duty service members to pay, in each direction, $7.46 for E-ZPass holders, $12.03 for toll by mail, or $2.75 for certified residents of Staten Island using vehicles legally registered to valid addresses in Staten Island, to travel between their duty stations and residences; and Whereas, S.4530A, introduced by State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and pending in the New York State Senate, would amend the New York public authorities law to provide toll exemptions for active duty military personnel based at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn and Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island from E-ZPass tolls associated with the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge; and Whereas, Charging active-duty military personnel for travel directly related to their military service could create a recurring cost burden for members of the military and their families; and Whereas, Exempting active-duty military personnel stationed at Fort Hamilton and Fort Wadsworth from the tolls of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge would better reflect New York State's commitment to supporting those who serve in the military of the United States; and Whereas, Providing toll relief would recognize the service of active-military duty members to both the City of New York and the United States and could remove a financial constraint that military personnel may face when stationed at New York City military bases; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, the New York State Assembly to introduce and pass a companion bill, and the Governor to sign, S.4540A, in relation to exempting active duty military members based at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, NY and Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY, who reside in a city with a population of one million or more from EZ-Pass tolls associated with the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. JPB LS # 23937 7/2/2026 1:30 PM 2