Bill > S06598

This bill amends the New York Civil Service Law to allow the commissioners of parks, recreation and historic preservation and environmental conservation, as well as the chancellor of the State University of New York, to authorize geographic pay differentials for certain public safety personnel when police officers in a specific location are earning substantially higher wages than the state's standard rates. The pay differential can be a percentage or fixed dollar amount, approved by the director of the budget, and would apply to regional state park police, forest rangers, environmental conservation officers, and university police officers working in areas with higher local wage scales. These differentials would be additional to base salary, not affect other compensation benefits, and be counted for overtime and retirement calculations. The differentials would be specific to the particular position and location, terminating when an officer leaves that specific job or area, and remain in effect until the commissioner or chancellor, with budget director consent, chooses to modify or end them. The bill provides flexibility for state agencies to remain competitive in hiring and retaining public safety personnel across different regions of New York by allowing targeted wage adjustments.

Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S6598