Relates to using a portion of the public safety communications surcharge to support volunteer fire department initiatives; establishes the New York state volunteer fire department auxiliary fund.
Summary
S01825 would redirect a portion of the revenues collected from the public safety communications surcharge into a newly created New York state volunteer fire department auxiliary fund. The bill amends the tax law so that 41.7% of those surcharge revenues are deposited into the new fund rather than the state general fund, and it adds a new section to the state finance law to establish the fund in the joint custody of the state comptroller and the commissioner of taxation and finance.
The fund would be used to provide grants to volunteer fire departments for a range of purposes, including personal protective equipment, turnout gear, hazmat systems, communications technology, renovation or restoration of buildings housing fire apparatus, and expenses tied to recruitment and retention programs. The bill takes effect on the first day of January after it becomes law.
Impact
This bill would amend section 186-f of the tax law and add section 99-ss to the state finance law, creating a dedicated special fund for volunteer fire department support. It would shift a defined share of public safety communications surcharge revenue away from the state general fund and into a restricted account for grants to volunteer fire departments, affecting how those revenues are allocated and spent. Volunteer fire departments across New York would be the primary beneficiaries, particularly for equipment, facility, communications, and workforce support needs.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests generally favorable support, with the Senate Budget and Revenue Committee approving the bill 6-1. No committee transcript is available, so there is no detailed recorded debate in the provided materials. The vote indicates the proposal has at least some bipartisan or cross-faction support, though not unanimous.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to be the diversion of surcharge revenue from the state general fund to a dedicated volunteer fire department fund. Supporters likely view the measure as a targeted investment in public safety and volunteer fire service capacity, while the lone dissenting vote suggests concern about revenue earmarking, budget priorities, or the use of communications surcharge proceeds for a purpose beyond the original general revenue stream. The bill also raises policy questions about whether the surcharge should be used to support local fire service infrastructure and recruitment rather than broader state needs.
Same As
Relates to using a portion of the public safety communications surcharge to support volunteer fire department initiatives; establishes the New York state volunteer fire department auxiliary fund.
Relates to using a portion of the public safety communications surcharge to support volunteer fire department initiatives; establishes the New York state volunteer fire department auxiliary fund.
Establishes a statewide program to provide free SUNY, CUNY, and community college tuition to active volunteer firefighters, volunteer emergency medical services providers, and volunteer auxiliary police officers.