Provides a heart disease presumption for members employed by the Triborough bridge and tunnel authority as a bridge and tunnel officer, sergeant or lieutenant in a non-managerial position.
Impact
The legislation will impact the retirement and social security law, assigning all past service costs associated with this bill to the City of New York, rather than the TBTA. The changes mean that members who meet the criteria can receive a substantial pension benefit without the typical offset seen under workers' compensation regulations. This shift aims to provide better financial support for those suffering disabilities due to heart disease but raises concerns regarding its financial implications for public funds and the city’s budget.
Summary
Bill A08797 introduces a heart disease presumption for certain members of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA) working as bridge and tunnel officers, sergeants, or lieutenants in non-managerial positions. Specifically, it aims to establish that a qualifying heart condition resulting in total or partial disability or death is considered to have been incurred in the line of duty. This provision offers a rebuttable presumption that such health impairments are job-related, unless evidence shows otherwise. The legislation promises to enhance benefits for eligible members through a performance-of-duty disability benefit equal to 75% of their final average salary.
Contention
There are notable points of contention surrounding A08797. Proponents argue that this bill is crucial in recognizing the health risks faced by TBTA employees, thereby promoting their welfare and financial security post-retirement. However, critics raise concerns about the long-term costs that these new benefits will impose on the city’s finances and the overall pension system. The uncertainty surrounding the number of future beneficiaries and their health outcomes could significantly affect the financial burden imposed on taxpayers.
Fiscal_note
A fiscal note indicates that the expected financial impact will vary significantly based on the demographics of the potentially impacted workers, their salary history, and the number of claims made under this new presumption. Estimates suggest that the costs could rise substantially if many workers qualify for these enhanced benefits owing to heart disease, prompting ongoing discussions about sustainability and budget effects.
Same As
Provides a heart disease presumption for members employed by the Triborough bridge and tunnel authority as a bridge and tunnel officer, sergeant or lieutenant in a non-managerial position.
Modifies the retirement program for Triborough bridge and tunnel members to a twenty-year retirement program; clarifies the statutory peace officer designation of certain employees of the Triborough bridge and tunnel authority.
Modifies the retirement program for Triborough bridge and tunnel members to a twenty-year retirement program; clarifies the statutory peace officer designation of certain employees of the Triborough bridge and tunnel authority.
Exempts Staten Island residents from Verrazzano-Narrows bridge tolls; directs the Triborough bridge and tunnel authority to create applications for such exemptions.
Exempts Staten Island residents from Verrazzano-Narrows bridge tolls; directs the Triborough bridge and tunnel authority to create applications for such exemptions.
Limits the Triborough bridge and tunnel authority with regard to the number of tolls charged on trucks and the authority's power to raise its toll schedule.
Limits the Triborough bridge and tunnel authority with regard to the number of tolls charged on trucks and the authority's power to raise its toll schedule.
Requires the New York state bridge authority, the Triborough bridge authority, the Thousand Islands bridge authority, the Nassau county bridge authority, the Ogdensburg bridge authority, and the New York state thruway authority to develop a feasibility study to promote bicycle and pedestrian access on bridges and provide a report to the governor, temporary president of the senate, speaker of the assembly, and the public a copy of such plan.
Requires the New York state bridge authority, the Triborough bridge authority, the Thousand Islands bridge authority, the Nassau county bridge authority, the Ogdensburg bridge authority, and the New York state thruway authority to develop a feasibility study to promote bicycle and pedestrian access on bridges and provide a report to the governor, temporary president of the senate, speaker of the assembly, and the public a copy of such plan.