Recap of the 2012 Legislative Session

The New York State Legislature adjourned on June 21, 2012. Although they may return later in the year, it is unlikely that they will deal with issues of interest to FASNY. The following legislative issues were achieved off the FASNY Agenda.

911 Surcharge Distribution– $75 million dollars, an increase of $30 million from the previous year.

Training Dollars– Approved at the same rate as last year.

Tax Opinion on LOSAP Awards

Fallen Firefighter– The bill has passed both houses and waiting to
be sent to the Governor.

Bailout Rope Reform– The bill has passed both houses and
waiting to be sent to the Governor.

Utility Rate Reduction– The bill has passed both houses and
waiting to be sent to the Governor.

The following FASNY bills passed one house :

Felony Sex Offenders– Passed Senate

Novelty Lighters– Passed Assembly

Job Protection– Passed Senate

VFBL Reform– Passed Assembly

The following bills were not on the FASNY Agenda, but affect the
fire service:

Joint Purchase of Fire Equipment– Passed both houses and
waiting to be sent to the Governor.

Ambulance Determination of Need– Passed both houses and
waiting to be sent to the Governor.

The bills must be approved by the Governor to become law and there is a possibility that he won’t act until December. The Legislative Committee asks that you check the FASNY website for updates on the 2012 legislative bills and please respond to CAPWIZ alerts as the bills are sent to the Governor.

The Legislative Conference for next year’s agenda is the first weekend in November in Albany. If you have any new legislation that you would like to submit, please submit through your sectional organizations. The sectional organizations will then submit new items to the Legislative Committee by October 1, 2012.

Thank you for supporting the Legislative Committee this year. The Legislative Outreach Program was a huge success. A special thanks to our legislative representatives, the Legislative Committee members, FASNY Presidents and Board.