Port Authority Details Governance and Ethics Framework

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey maintains a comprehensive governance and ethics framework governing the agency, its subsidiaries, employees and vendors. The framework is designed to support effective oversight, integrity, legal compliance and public accountability across the bi-state agency.

Board Governance and Oversight

The Port Authority was created in 1921 through an interstate compact between New York and New Jersey approved by the U.S. Congress. The agency and its subsidiaries operate under bylaws adopted by their respective governing boards.

The agency's governance structure includes Board committees responsible for areas including finance, operations, security, audit, capital planning and governance and ethics. The Audit Committee includes members from both states and requires at least one member with a high level of financial expertise.

The Port Authority's bylaws also provide for an open process in the adoption of agency rules and regulations, including opportunities for public comment before proposed rules become effective.

Ethics and Compliance

The Port Authority's Employee Code of Ethics consolidates ethical principles and policies governing employees' responsibilities. The code was originally consolidated and published in 2018 and has since been updated to incorporate new and revised policies.

The agency's ethics framework emphasizes integrity and responsible conduct in the performance of public-service responsibilities. Its ethics and compliance structure is supported by dedicated policies and oversight mechanisms.

Vendor Ethics Requirements

The Port Authority also applies ethical and legal requirements to vendors, including suppliers, contractors and professional services firms working with the agency.

Under the Port Authority Code of Ethics for Vendors, companies doing business with the agency are required to comply with applicable laws and regulations and to conduct their activities ethically and with integrity. The code forms part of the agency's contractual expectations for vendors when agreements are entered into, renewed, extended or amended.

Transparency and Public Accountability

The Port Authority provides public access to governance documents and records-related procedures as part of its broader corporate governance framework. The agency's public records process allows requests for Port Authority records and records of its subsidiaries, subject to the applicable public records access policy.