Bill > S05994

This bill updates the charter of the Pound Ridge Volunteer Exempt Firefighters' Benevolent Association, making several key changes to its membership, purposes, and powers. The bill modifies the organization's name from "Firemen's" to "Firefighters'" and expands its eligible membership to include current and former active volunteer firefighters in the Pound Ridge Fire District who have acquired exempt volunteer status. The association's purposes are now more comprehensively defined, including maintaining a headquarters, providing relief and assistance to disabled or indigent members and their families, promoting the welfare of volunteer members, enhancing member health and safety, and supporting social and recreational activities. The bill also updates the organization's ability to collect foreign fire insurance premium taxes, specifying that these funds can now be used more broadly in furtherance of the association's purposes, rather than being strictly limited to care and relief of disabled or indigent volunteer firefighters. The changes will take effect immediately, with amendments to tax collection applying to premiums received on and after January 1, 2026. These modifications aim to modernize the association's charter and provide more flexible support for volunteer firefighters and their families.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5994