Bill > S04838

This bill amends the tax law and state finance law to use a portion of the public safety communications surcharge to support volunteer fire department initiatives. Specifically, it establishes the New York State Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary Fund, which will receive 41.7% of the revenues collected from the public safety communications surcharge. The monies in this fund will be used to provide grants to volunteer fire departments for the purchase of personal protective equipment, turnout gear, hazmat systems, communications technology, and renovation or restoration of fire department buildings, as well as to fund recruitment and retention programs.