New York Assembly Bill A08350

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/13/25
• Refer: 5/13/25
• Report Pass: 5/28/25
• Refer: 5/28/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Authorizes members or officers of the state police who were previously firefighters receive credit for such previous firefighter service for the purposes of retirement.

Impact

The proposed bill expands the definition of creditable service within the retirement framework, thereby allowing an estimated nine current state troopers to gain service credit for time served as firefighters. This will result in a one-time cost of approximately $2.32 million to the state, impacting its budget and necessitating adjustments in annual contributions thereafter. The fiscal implications of this bill highlight a broader commitment to the welfare of public safety employees.

Summary

Bill A08350 aims to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law to enable members or officers of the state police who were previously employed as firefighters to receive credit for their firefighting service towards their retirement benefits. This legislative change recognizes the diverse backgrounds of public safety officials and allows them to maximize their accumulated service credits, thus enhancing their retirement benefits. The bill is seen as a way to value the contributions of personnel who have dual roles as firefighters and police officers.

Contention

While the bill primarily seeks to provide an equitable measure for state police officers’ retirement benefits, it has been met with some scrutiny regarding budgetary constraints. Opponents may argue that introducing additional costs into the retirement system could lead to increased financial burdens on state resources. As discussions unfold, key questions about managing the associated fiscal impact alongside providing these benefits will emerge.