Bill > A05891

This bill establishes a noise tax on non-essential helicopter and seaplane flights in cities with a population of one million or more, specifically targeting New York City. Beginning January 1, 2025, operators will be required to pay a tax of $50 per seat ticket or $200 per flight, whichever is higher. The bill defines "non-essential flights" as those originating and terminating within New York state that are not related to critical services like emergency response, public safety, infrastructure maintenance, or news reporting. Operators are required to file quarterly tax returns and maintain detailed records of their flights. The bill provides an exemption for "quiet aircraft," which are defined as electric-powered helicopters and seaplanes that generate at least 10 decibels less noise than standard models, as measured by specific federal aviation standards. The tax commission will create and maintain a registry of qualifying quiet aircraft models, with the first registry to be established by January 1, 2027. All revenue collected from this tax will be deposited into the state's environmental protection fund. Operators who fail to pay the tax may face significant penalties, including a potential 400% penalty on the total tax amount due.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5891