New York Senate Bill S07938

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/14/25
• Refer: 5/14/25
• Report Pass: 5/27/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Authorizes Kristin Proud to receive certain service credit with the New York state and local employees' retirement system for her volunteer service beginning March 25, 2020 and ending November 8, 2020.

Summary

S07938 is a private pension bill that would grant Kristin Proud, a member of the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System, full-time service credit for a period of volunteer service from March 25, 2020 through November 8, 2020. The bill applies to service she performed after being recruited by senior staff in the governor’s office to help the commissioner of health as part of New York’s COVID-19 “surge healthcare force.” To receive the credit, she must file a written request with the state comptroller within one year of the act’s effective date. The bill also specifies that any past service costs will be paid by the State of New York and that no retirement contributions already made by Kristin Proud will be refunded. It takes effect immediately. The fiscal note says the measure is not consistent with current law because credited service is generally limited to paid employment with a participating employer in NYSLRS, and it estimates a one-time past service cost of about $20,800 with no increase in future annual state contributions.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would create a narrow exception to existing New York retirement law by treating a period of volunteer pandemic-related service as creditable service in NYSLRS, even though it was not paid employment with a participating employer. It would affect only Kristin Proud’s retirement record, but it would require the Comptroller to process the credit and the State to absorb the full actuarial cost of the benefit as a one-time payment.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests favorable committee sentiment: the Senate Civil Service and Pensions Committee approved the bill unanimously, 6-0. The bill’s framing as recognition for COVID-19 surge response service likely contributes to its positive treatment, and there is no recorded committee opposition in the provided materials.

Contention

The main point of contention is legal and fiscal rather than political: the bill departs from the normal NYSLRS rule that credited service must be paid employment with a participating employer. That raises concerns about precedent and consistency in retirement administration, though the fiscal note indicates the cost is limited and borne by the State. No specific opposing arguments or dissenting legislators are identified in the provided record.