BILL NUMBER: S6716
SPONSOR: JACKSON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to the distribution of
fire insurance premium taxes
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To apportion funds raised from taxes on mutual fire insurance companies
for maintaining and supporting the well-being of paid professional fire-
fighters in New York.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of this bill amends subsection (d) of Section 9105 of the
insurance law by requiring one percent of "remaining monies" of a 2% tax
on fire insurance premiums be paid to the treasurer of the New York
State Professional Firefighters Association in order to promote,
support, and maintain the well-being of New York paid professional fire-
fighters.
"Remaining monies" include funds received by the superintendent from a
two percent tax on mutual fire insurance companies' gross premiums,
after adding earnings from investments and deductions from collection
and distribution expenses.
Section two sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Staffing shortages and challenges related to COVID-19 have put a strain
on fire departments across the country and in New York. The Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that at least 30%
of first responders suffer from behavioral health issues such as
depression and PTSD, with rates five times higher than the civilian
population. An estimate by the Ruderman Family Foundation found that
roughly twice the number of firefighters died from suicide than in the
line of duty in 2017, nationwide. This bill would give the Professional
Firefighters Association additional support to improve mental health
resources and provide officers with the tailored support they need in a
highly demanding job.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S.6269Referred to Insurance/A.7160-A - Referred to Insurance
2022: S2863 - Referred to Insurance
2021: S2863 - Referred to Insurance
2020: S3811 - Referred to Insurance
2019: S3811 - Referred to Insurance
2018: S4543A - Referred to Insurance, Amended and Recommitted to Insur-
ance
2017: S4543A - Referred to Insurance
2016: 57033 - Referred to Insurance
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to all monies
received by the superintendent of financial services pursuant to section
9105 of the insurance law commencing with those monies received on or
after April 1, 2024.