2026 Legislative Agenda
For 90 years FASNY members across New York have gathered regionally to provide input on a proactive legislative program which represents the needs of their respective communities.
Each year, these grassroots proposals are brought forth to the statewide association, discussed and approved by voice vote to be compiled into FASNY’s legislative agenda (“Scorecard”) for the coming year.
This document is our statement of priorities which we use in conversations with the Executive and the Legislature, and how we track each issue’s progress. FASNY also encourages members at the local level to use this document in district meetings with their local legislators to voice support for measures included.
SCORECARD ITEMS
1. REFORM VFBL/ENSURE PARITY WITH WORKERS COMPENSATION — Bring the volunteer firefighters benefit law pay equal to workers comp/what career firefighters receive when injured in the line of duty.
Corresponding legislation: S5432 (Skoufis) / A6410 (McMahon)
Senate Status – Reported to Finance / Assembly Status – Referred to Local Governments
2. SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR HOME LIFE SAFETY PRODUCTS — Would provide a sales tax exemption on home life safety products purchased in New York state during Fire Safety Awareness Month (October).
Corresponding legislation: S5468 (Comrey) / A6816 (Griffin)
Senate Status – Reported to Budget & Revenue / Assembly Status – Referred to Ways & Means
3. AMEND THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW IN RELATION TO THE “FIRST RESPONDER PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM ACT” — A 2017 study revealed that more firefighters and police officers died by suicide than in the line of duty. It also highlighted that first responders, including EMS personnel, face a higher risk of mental health issues such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This program will be anonymous and have no reporting requirements to protect individuals’ privacy.
Corresponding legislation: S5407 (Harckham)/A7285 (Burdick)
Senate Status – Passed Senate June 24, 2025 / Assembly Status – Amend in Mental Health
4. VFF/VAW INCOME TAX CREDIT INCREASE/REPEAL PROHIBITION ON COLLECTING BOTH THE LOCAL RPT EXEMPTION AND THE INCOME TAX CREDIT — Would increase to $800 and eliminate arbitrary prohibition on collection of both a local Real Property Tax exemption and the state income tax credit.
Corresponding legislation: Tax Increase S.6233 (Martinez)/A.6790 (McMahon)
Senate Status – Passed Senate June 10, 2025 / Assembly Status – Referred to Ways and Means
Corresponding Legislation: Repeal Prohibition S.6019 (Baskin)/A.288 (Barrett)
Senate Status – Reported to Ways and Means / Assembly Status – Referred to Ways and Means
5. DISTRICT ABILITY TO PAY LOCAL TRAINING STIPEND —
This proposal has been Passed and Enacted: https://www.dhses.ny.gov/new-york-state-volunteer-firefighter-stipend-program
CONTINUING PRIORITIES FOR CONSIDERATION
Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Standards – We will continue to review and lend our support to worthy proposed legislation and regulations put forth by decision-makers regarding products containing lithium-ion batteries.
Retirement Credit for Volunteer Fire/Emergency Service
Corresponding Legislation: S.7021 (Ryan)/A.8082 (Eachus)
Senate Status – Reported to Finance / Assembly Status – Referred to Governmental Employees
NYS 2025-26 BUDGET MONITORING
- Recovery of 54-G funding to support code enforcement efforts
Corresponding legislation: S.3212 (Kavanagh)/A.7059 (McDonald)
Senate Status – Reported to Finance / Assembly Status – Referred to Insurance - Recovery of Public Safety Surcharge to support Next-Gen 911
Removes language requiring the state from moving public safety surcharge funds into the state general fund; increases from seventy-five million dollars to one million dollars available for grants or reimbursements to counties for the development, consolidation, or operation of public safety communications systems or networks designed to support statewide interoperable communications for first responders.
Corresponding legislation: S.0196 (Martinez)/A.5910 (Jones) (Will need a new sponsor with MOA Retirement)
Senate Status – Reported to Finance / Assembly Status – Referred to Ways and Means
The 2025 Legislative Accomplishments:
- Extend Cost Recovery – Until 2031
- Prohibitions of PFAS in Turnout Gear – Will be phased in beginning 2028
- Heart and Lung Presumption – Both 5-year extensions passed
- EMS as an Essential Service – Pared back in final language to establish the development of county comprehensive EMS plans to be reported back to the state this summer.