BILL NUMBER: S1181
SPONSOR: ADDABBO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act establishing a temporary task force on variable supplements fund
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the bill is to establish a task force to make a final
determination of whether or not disabled NYPD and FDNY retirees are
entitled to receive VSF supplementation benefits.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Legislative intent.
Section 2: Subsection 1: Creates the temporary task force to be known as
the temporary task force on the variable supplements fund. Subsection
2: Gives the task force the power to conduct public hearings, issue
subpoenas for and to compel attendance of witnesses and the production
of books records documents and other relevant evidence in order to
recommend legislation consistent with the purposes of this section.
Subsection 3: The task force shall consist of 11 members appointed as
follows: two from the Governor, two from the Temporary President of the
Senate, two from the Speaker of the Assembly, one from the Minority
Leader of the Senate, one from Minority Leader of the Assembly, one from
the Mayor of New York City, one from the State Comptroller, and one who
shall represent the interest of the affected disability retirees to be
appointed by the Chair. The Governor shall designate the chair. In addi-
tion .to these members, the Comptroller of NYC, the President of the
Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater NY, a member of the board
of trustees of the transit police officers variable supplements fund, a
member of the board of trustees of the housing police officers variable
supplements fund, a member of the board of trustees of the transit
police superior officers variable supplements fund, a member of the
board of trustees of the housing police superior officers variable
supplements fund, and a member of the board of trustees of the
correction officer s variable supplements fund (or their designees)
shall serve as non-voting members. Six members shall constitute a
quorum. Members shall receive no compensation but members who are not
governmental employees shall be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses
incurred during the performance of their duties. Subsection 4: Within
one year of this act becoming law, the temporary task force shall issue
its report containing its findings and recommendations.
Section 3: The effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The variable supplements fund (VSF) program was enacted in 1970 to
provide supplementation to the retirement allowances of New York City
police and fire retirement system members. Since the inception of the
VSF program, controversy has been generated due to the exclusion of
disabled retirees from this benefit.
The lack of clarity in defining VSF eligibility and the exclusion of
most disabled police and firefighters has been a cause of frustration
and confusion for disability petitioners. The existing documentation
regarding VSF eligibility is inconclusive, prompting the need for a task
force to make a final determination.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2019: S.3107A - Referred to Senate Civil Service & Pensions Committee.
2020: S.3107A - Referred to Senate Civil Service & Pensions Committee.
2021: S.2681 - Referred to Senate Civil Service & Pensions Committee.
2022: S.2681 - Referred to Senate Civil Service & Pensions Committee.
2023: S.1676 - Referred to Senate Civil Service & Pensions Committee.
2024: S.1676 - Referred to Senate Civil Service & Pensions Committee.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.