Authorizes Michael V. Layman to receive state police retirement credit for services performed as a SUNY police officer.
Summary
This bill is a private pension relief measure for a single individual, Michael V. Layman. It authorizes him, notwithstanding inconsistent law, to receive retirement service credit in the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System for prior employment as a university police officer at SUNY Cortland, SUNY Delhi, and SUNY Oneonta from May 26, 1988 through March 30, 1992. The bill treats that service as if it had been rendered with the Division of State Police for purposes of retirement credit under section 381-b of the Retirement and Social Security Law, and it directs that his retirement benefit be recalculated as of his November 29, 2020 retirement date if he files the required written request by December 31, 2026.
The bill also specifies that all service costs associated with the benefit enhancement are to be borne by the State of New York, and it takes effect immediately. The fiscal note estimates an immediate past service cost of $133,000, paid as a one-time state expense if enacted during the 2026 legislative session. In practical terms, the measure would create an exception to existing retirement-credit rules for this retiree and require the state comptroller to adjust his pension accordingly.
Because the bill is narrowly tailored to one named retiree, the overall sentiment appears procedural and supportive rather than controversial. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes indicating opposition or debate in the provided materials, and the bill’s sponsor and caption suggest it is intended to correct or recognize prior service that was not previously counted as police service for retirement purposes.
The main point of potential contention is the special treatment of an individual retiree and the associated cost to the state pension system. Such bills can raise fairness concerns because they grant a benefit outside the general statutory framework, but no specific objections are documented in the available record. The fiscal impact is modest in state budget terms, and the bill does not appear to affect broader retirement eligibility rules beyond this one case.
Impact
The bill amends the application of Retirement and Social Security Law section 381-b for one named retiree by deeming his prior SUNY university police service to qualify for state police retirement credit. It requires the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System to recalculate his pension based on that added service, with the cost paid by the state. The measure does not broadly change retirement law for all employees, but it creates a one-time statutory exception that affects the retirement benefit of Michael V. Layman and the state’s pension obligations.
Sentiment
The available record suggests a generally favorable and noncontroversial posture toward the bill. There are no committee transcripts, recorded votes, or documented opposition in the provided materials, and the bill appears to be a private relief measure moving through the legislative process in a routine manner. The sponsor’s framing and the fiscal note indicate the bill is intended to recognize prior public safety service rather than to advance a broader policy dispute.
Contention
The principal issue is the bill’s individualized nature: it grants retirement credit to a single named person for service that current law does not automatically count as police service. Critics of such measures may view them as special treatment or an exception to uniform pension rules, while supporters would likely characterize it as equitable recognition of prior service. The only concrete policy concern reflected in the materials is fiscal, with the state responsible for an estimated $133,000 one-time past service cost.
Authorizes members or officers of the state police who were previously firefighters receive credit for such previous firefighter service for the purposes of retirement.
Authorizes members or officers of the state police who were previously firefighters receive credit for such previous firefighter service for the purposes of retirement.
Relates to authorizing state university police, regional state park police and detective investigators for the office of the attorney general to receive additional service credit in an optional twenty year retirement plan.
Relates to authorizing state university police, regional state park police and detective investigators for the office of the attorney general to receive additional service credit in an optional twenty year retirement plan.
Authorizes Brian Studley, a police officer employed by the New York state university police department at SUNY Fredonia, to transition his pension from the New York state and local employees' retirement system to the New York state and local police and fire retirement system.
Authorizes Michael J. Cappiello to purchase service credit for service with the Long Island Railroad Company police department prior to its merger with the MTA and the state retirement system.
Authorizes Michael J. Cappiello to purchase service credit for service with the Long Island Railroad Company police department prior to its merger with the MTA and the state retirement system.