New York A 6945: Relates to improving recruitment and retention of air traffic controllers in New York State

Bill Text

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A06945 Summary:

BILL NOA06945 

&nbsp

SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORSantabarbara

&nbsp

COSPNSRSayegh, DeStefano

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MLTSPNSR

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Add §14-o, Transp L; add §97-bbbbb, St Fin L

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Relates to addressing staffing shortages and improving workforce stability by providing state-funded financial incentives for air traffic controllers working in New York State.

Go to top A06945 Actions:

BILL NOA06945 

&nbsp

03/18/2025referred to transportation

01/07/2026referred to transportation

Go to topA06945 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topA06945 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topA06945 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 6945

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN ASSEMBLY

 March 18, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by M. of A. SANTABARBARA -- read once and referred to the
 Committee on Transportation

 AN ACT to amend the transportation law and the state finance law, in
 relation to establishing incentives for attracting and retaining air
 traffic controllers in New York state

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. The transportation law is amended by adding a new section
 2 14-o to read as follows:
 3 § 14-o. Air traffic controller retention and incentive program. 1.
 4 There is hereby established an air traffic controller retention and
 5 incentive program which shall be administered by the department of
 6 transportation. Such program will provide the following financial
 7 incentives to federally employed air traffic controllers working at
 8 airports in New York state, in amounts to be determined by the commis-
 9 sioner of transportation:
 10 (a) Signing bonuses for newly hired air traffic controllers.
 11 (b) Retention bonuses for air traffic controllers who remain employed
 12 in New York state for a specified time period, to be determined by the
 13 commissioner of transportation.
 14 (c) Relocation assistance for newly hired air traffic controllers
 15 employed at airports with staffing shortages who move to New York state
 16 for such employment.
 17 2. The commissioner of transportation shall allocate funding from the
 18 air traffic controller retention and incentive program to:
 19 (a) create partnerships with the state university of New York and the
 20 city university of New York to develop specialized training and certif-
 21 ication programs for aspiring air traffic controllers;
 22 (b) provide scholarships and grants for New York residents pursuing
 23 careers in air traffic control, with a focus on expanding access to
 24 underrepresented and underserved communities;

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD10767-01-5

 A. 6945 2

 1 (c) implement cost-of-living adjustments to ensure fair and compet-
 2 itive wages for air traffic controllers; and
 3 (d) ensure that wage supplements remain competitive and responsive to
 4 inflation and living expenses.
 5 3. The department of transportation, in collaboration with the federal
 6 aviation administration, shall develop workforce development initiatives
 7 to improve recruitment, working conditions, and job satisfaction for air
 8 traffic controllers in New York state.
 9 4. Funding for the air traffic controller retention and incentive
 10 program shall be allocated through the air traffic controller retention
 11 and incentive fund established pursuant to section ninety-seven-bbbbb of
 12 the state finance law.
 13 § 2. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 97-bbbbb
 14 to read as follows:
 15 § 97-bbbbb. Air traffic controller retention and incentive fund. 1.
 16 There is hereby established in the joint custody of the commissioner of
 17 transportation and the comptroller a special fund to be known as the
 18 "air traffic controller retention and incentive fund".
 19 2. Such fund shall consist of all revenues received pursuant to the
 20 provisions of section fourteen-o of the transportation law and all other
 21 moneys appropriated, credited, or transferred thereto from any other
 22 fund or source pursuant to law. Any interest received by the comptroller
 23 on moneys on deposit in such fund shall be ret