BILL NUMBER: S4599
SPONSOR: JACKSON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the retirement and social security law, in relation to
granting certain county fire marshals, supervising fire marshals, fire
marshals, assistant fire marshals, assistant chief fire marshals or
chief fire marshals pension benefits for service rendered beyond twen-
ty-five years
 
PURPOSE:
This bill would entitle county fire marshals, supervising fire marshals,
assistant fire marshals, assistant chief fire marshals or chief fire
marshals employed by Nassau County and enrolled in New York State &
Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) Tiers 4, 5, and 6 plans to accrue an
additional service allowance of 1-60th of their final average salary per
year for service rendered beyond 25 years.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends subdivision t of Section 604 of the Retirement and
Social Security Law to authorize Nassau County fire marshals that are
part of NYSLRS to accrue an additional service allowance of I -60th of
their final average salary per year for service rendered beyond 25
years.
Section 2 provides that all past service costs associated with imple-
menting the provisions of this act shall be borne by Nassau County and
may be amortized over 10 years.
Section 3 states that none of the provisions of this act shall be
subject to the appropriation requirement of Section 25 of the Retirement
and Social Security Law.
Section 4 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Fire Marshals throughout New York State provide a vital law enforcement
element to the community's fire safety. They perform inspections and
investigations to ensure the enforcement of fire prevention and arson
laws. This involves physical examination of premises where a fire has
occurred to determine its cause. Fire Marshals provide demonstrations on
fire and arson prevention tactics. Furthermore, they assist in the
training of volunteer fire department inspectors. Their duties often
include rigorous activities such as rescuing individuals at hazardous
material emergencies. This may involve lifting, climbing, and entering
confined areas, necessitating protective clothing and self-contained
breathing apparatuses. Currently those Fire Marshals enrolled in Tiers
4, 5, and 6 face an inequity in pension benefits when they work greater
than 25 years in their position, accruing no additional retirement bene-
fits for such service while members of Tiers 1 and 2 accrue 1-60th of
their final average salary per year beyond their 25 years of service.
These amendments serve to eliminate this inequity for fire marshals,
supervising fire marshals, assistant fire marshals, assistant chief fire
marshals, or chief fire marshals enrolled in Tier 4, 5, and 6 plans.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024 - S7196A - REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE/ A.8827 - referred to
governmental employees
 
STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
See fiscal note.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S4599: 604 retirement and social security law, 604(t) retirement and social security law