S 1140 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Establishes a tax on noise from non-essential helicopter and seaplane flights in cities with a population of one million or more

This bill imposes a $50-per-seat or $200-per-flight tax (whichever is greater) on non-essential helicopter and seaplane flights operating within New York City (population over 1 million) starting in 2025. It directly affects flight operators, excluding essential services like emergency response, medical flights, and research, as well as "quiet aircraft" (electric models meeting strict noise standards). Operators must file quarterly tax returns with penalties for late payment, including a 400% penalty for unpaid taxes. The tax aims to reduce urban noise pollution by targeting non-essential air traffic while providing exemptions for quieter aircraft and critical operations.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Assembly Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action May 28, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S1140 S1140A · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to add four new sponsors and update its procedural status after committee review. The text of the bill itself was modified to clarify that the noise tax applies only to flights originating or ending within New York State cities with populations of one million or more, rather than any city of that size anywhere in the country.
Scope change
The bill's applicability is now restricted to flights within New York State, specifically those starting or ending in major cities, narrowing the scope from a potentially national application.
ELIGIBILITY

Added three new sponsors (Senators Cleare, Hoylm-Sigal, and Jackson) to the list of bill authors.

SCOPE

Updated the definition of 'non-essential flight' to require that the flight must originate and terminate within New York State to be subject to the tax.

Added a specific geographic constraint to the operator definition, limiting it to flights within cities in New York State.

TIMELINE

Updated the bill number and page headers to reflect the amended version (S. 1140--A) and new committee page numbers.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 4, 2025

How they voted

3523
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 63
Jun 4, 2025
D Democratic41
34 Yea 2 Nay 5
82% Yea
R Republican22
1 Yea 21 Nay
95% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
18
Key actions
4
Committee
6
Amendments
2
May 28, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
lower
May 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
upper
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO BUDGET AND REVENUE
upper
Jun 4, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
lower
Jun 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
May 29, 2025
Committee
COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
upper
May 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 1140A
upper
May 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO BUDGET AND REVENUE
upper
Jan 8, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO BUDGET AND REVENUE
upper
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors

Sponsors