Expands the purposes of the volunteer and exempt firefighters' benevolent association of Thornwood, New York; provides for the payment to it of certain taxes imposed upon premiums on policies of fire insurance in foreign insurance companies.
Summary
This bill amends a 1945 special law governing the Volunteer and Exempt Firefighters' Benevolent Association of Thornwood, New York. It renames the organization to the Volunteer and Exempt Firefighters' Benevolent Association of Thornwood and updates the membership language to use gender-neutral terms such as “firefighters” instead of “firemen.” It also broadens the description of who may be members by referencing exempt volunteer firefighters under section 200 of the General Municipal Law or any other applicable law.
The bill also expands the association’s stated purposes. In addition to relief and assistance for disabled or indigent members and their families, the corporation would be authorized to promote and safeguard the welfare of its members, maintain headquarters, support health and safety, enhance morale through social and recreational activities, and promote the volunteer fire service in the Thornwood fire district. The bill further updates the insurance-law references from the former sections 553 and 554 to current sections 9104 and 9105, and provides that the associated premium-tax revenues may be used by the corporation in furtherance of its expanded purposes. The tax provision would apply to premiums received on and after January 1, 2026.
Impact
The bill would amend a local special act affecting only the Thornwood volunteer firefighters' benevolent association and the fire territory it serves. It modernizes statutory references, changes the organization’s name and membership terminology, and broadens how the association may use premium-tax revenues collected under the Insurance Law. The practical effect is to give the association more flexibility in supporting members and promoting the volunteer fire service, while preserving its authority to receive designated fire insurance premium taxes.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or recorded vote information is provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or opposition in the available record. Based on the bill text and caption, the measure appears administrative and supportive in nature, aimed at updating outdated terminology and expanding the association’s authorized charitable and member-support functions. The absence of recorded controversy suggests the bill was likely framed as a routine local law modernization.
Contention
The main substantive change is the expansion of permissible uses for premium-tax funds, moving beyond the prior narrow focus on care and relief for disabled or indigent volunteer and exempt firemen and their families. Potential points of concern could include whether the broader purposes divert funds from direct relief to social, recreational, or organizational uses, and whether the updated membership and terminology changes alter eligibility or governance. However, no specific objections, amendments, or opposing viewpoints are included in the available materials.
Same As
Expands the purposes of the volunteer and exempt firefighters' benevolent association of Thornwood, New York; provides for the payment to it of certain taxes imposed upon premiums on policies of fire insurance in foreign insurance companies.