New York Assembly Bill A11297

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/11/26
• Refer: 5/11/26
• Report Pass: 5/18/26
• Refer: 5/18/26
• Report Pass: 5/29/26
• Refer: 5/29/26
• Engrossed: 5/29/26
• Engrossed: 6/3/26

Caption

Exempts the Liverpool Fire Department from the requirement that the percentage of non-resident fire department members not exceed forty-five percent of the membership

Summary

This bill amends the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law provisions governing volunteer fire corporations and fire departments in towns outside villages and fire districts. Its core change is to add the Liverpool Fire Department, in the town of Salina, Onondaga County, to the list of fire organizations exempt from the general rule that nonresident members may not exceed 45 percent of a department’s actual membership. Under current law, volunteer firefighters generally must live in the territory served by the fire corporation, though limited exceptions allow some nonresidents to remain members or be elected if they are available for active service and receive local approval. The bill does not change those general residency and approval rules, but it creates a specific carve-out for Liverpool, allowing that department to maintain or recruit nonresident volunteer members without being constrained by the statewide 45 percent cap. The bill takes effect immediately.

Impact

The bill narrows the application of the nonresident-member cap in section 1402 of the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law by adding one more local exemption. As a result, the Liverpool Fire Department may continue or expand membership of qualified nonresident volunteers beyond the usual 45 percent threshold, subject to the department’s bylaws and the remaining statutory approval and service requirements. The change affects the Liverpool Fire Department specifically and, more broadly, the administration of volunteer fire corporations in New York by adding another locality to an existing list of statutory exceptions.

Sentiment

The available context suggests generally favorable treatment of the bill, as reflected by its advancement and eventual passage in the Senate. No committee transcript or recorded vote details are provided, so there is no evidence of formal opposition in the supplied materials. The bill appears to be a targeted local measure intended to address staffing or recruitment needs for the Liverpool Fire Department.

Contention

The main policy issue is the statewide limit on nonresident volunteer firefighters versus the needs of a specific local department. Supporters would likely view the exemption as a practical staffing fix for Liverpool, while any concern would center on whether expanding nonresident membership weakens the residency-based structure of volunteer fire service or encourages more local exceptions to the general rule. Because the bill is narrowly tailored to one department and no debate transcript is included, no specific named opponents or objections are identified in the record provided.