New York Assembly Bill A07541

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/1/25
• Refer: 4/1/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Provides certain enhanced disability retirement benefits for Kyle Brower relating to participation in World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations, and who retired in 2013.

Summary

This bill is a special, individual relief measure for Kyle Brower, a retired member of the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System. It provides that, notwithstanding contrary law, if Mr. Brower participated in World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations and has a qualifying World Trade Center condition determined to be duty-related and not caused by his own willful negligence, he may receive a performance-of-duty disability retirement allowance equal to three-quarters of his final average salary. The bill also directs that his retirement benefit be recalculated as of his 2013 disability retirement date, provided he submits a written request to the retirement system within one year after the act takes effect. The measure further states that the pension payment is subject to the usual provisions governing such allowances, but that the act is exempt from a specific retirement law section that would otherwise apply. In practical terms, the bill creates a retroactive enhancement to Mr. Brower’s disability retirement benefits and authorizes payment adjustments back to his retirement date, rather than only prospectively. The fiscal note estimates the cost of the enhanced benefit at about $937,000 in increased present-value liabilities, to be borne by employers participating in the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System. The bill does not amend broad retirement policy for all members; instead, it applies narrowly to one named individual and one set of facts tied to World Trade Center service and disability retirement. Because there are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided materials, there is no documented public debate or formal legislative sentiment to assess. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears supportive of a single retired public employee with 9/11-related health conditions, and it is framed as a corrective or equitable benefit adjustment rather than a contested policy change. No specific opposition is identified in the available record. The main point of potential concern is fiscal impact, since the enhanced benefit creates an estimated employer-funded liability, but the bill materials do not show any articulated disagreement from legislators, agencies, or stakeholders.

Impact

The bill would create a narrow exception to existing retirement law for one named retired teacher, allowing recalculation of his disability retirement benefit to a performance-of-duty disability allowance at three-quarters of final average salary. It would also authorize retroactive adjustment back to the 2013 retirement date and override conflicting provisions of law, including an exemption from section 25 of the Retirement and Social Security Law. The practical effect is to increase pension payments and impose an estimated $937,000 liability on employers in the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System.

Sentiment

No committee discussion or vote record is provided, so there is no formal evidence of support or opposition in the available materials. The bill’s text and fiscal note suggest a sympathetic, remedial approach aimed at a retired member with World Trade Center-related disability, with the principal policy consideration being the cost of the enhanced benefit rather than any broader ideological dispute.

Contention

The only clear point of contention suggested by the materials is fiscal: the bill would increase retirement system liabilities by an estimated $937,000, paid by employers in the system. Otherwise, the measure is highly specific and individualized, applying only to Kyle Brower and tied to qualifying World Trade Center service and disability criteria. No recorded objections, amendments, or debate points are included in the provided context.