New York Senate Bill S04554

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/25
• Refer: 2/6/25
• Report Pass: 5/20/25
• Engrossed: 6/13/25
• Refer: 6/13/25
• Engrossed: 6/16/25

Caption

Relates to filing timely notices of participation in World Trade Center rescue efforts for the purposes of receiving World Trade Center benefits.

Impact

The proposed legislation is expected to significantly impact the benefits of police members who participated in the WTC operations. By removing the verification requirement, members who submit a Notice of Participation are presumed to have met the conditions for WTC participation, regardless of their specific roles. This could potentially increase the number of individuals eligible for benefits and may lead to higher costs for the police pension fund as more members could qualify for disability or death-related benefits associated with their service during the WTC efforts.

Summary

Bill S04554 aims to amend the administrative code of the City of New York regarding the filing of timely notices of participation in World Trade Center (WTC) rescue efforts. The bill proposes to eliminate the existing verification requirement for Tier 1 and Tier 2 police members who file a WTC notice, thus allowing them to qualify for WTC benefits based solely on the timely filing of this notice. This change intends to simplify the process for members seeking benefits related to their participation in WTC recovery efforts post-September 11, 2001.

Contention

While supporters of the bill argue that it represents a necessary step in acknowledging the sacrifices made by police members during the WTC rescue efforts, critics express concerns over the financial implications of such a broad eligibility rule. The tension lies in balancing the recognition of service with the potential strain on the pension system, as it could lead to increased employer contributions and financial liabilities over time. The compatibility of this legislation with existing constitutional provisions regarding retirement and disability benefits may also become a point of contention.

Financial considerations

The fiscal note accompanying the bill indicates that costs will significantly vary based on the number of applicants and their service details, which remains uncertain. The anticipated increases in employer contributions and potential changes in actuarial liabilities highlight the complexities surrounding the implementation of this legislation, especially considering the demographic factors of the impacted police members.