2024 Legislative Final Review for This Session
During the 23/24 Legislative Session approximately 23,648 pieces of legislation were introduced. Approximately 70 bills related in some way to the fire service were introduced in both houses, 8 were introduced in the Senate, and 13 were introduced in the Assembly.
OF THOSE 70 BILLS, 4 PASSED BOTH HOUSES TO BE SENT ON TO THE GOVERNOR FOR SIGNATURE.
- AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, IN RELATION TO AUTHORIZE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT FOR TREATMENT IN PLACE AND TRANSPORTATION TO ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE SETTINGS BY AMBULANCE SERVICES
- REQUIRES ELECTRIC CORPORATIONS AND THE LONG ISLAND POWER AUTHORITY SERVICE PROVIDER DURING A WIDESPREAD PROLONGED OUTAGE THAT AFFECTS AT LEAST TWENTY THOUSAND CUSTOMERS TO NOTIFY THE VILLAGE, TOWN OR CITY IF CERTAIN ELECTRIC POWER SERVICES ARE NOT ABLE TO BE RESTORED; REQUIRES THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE TO COORDINATE WITH AFFECTED POLICE DEPARTMENTS, FIRE DEPARTMENTS, AMBULANCE SERVICES AND ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT FIRST RESPONSE SERVICES PREWIRED WITH AN APPROPRIATE TRANSFER SWITCH FOR USING AN ALTERNATE GENERATED POWER SOURCE FOR THE EMERGENCY DEPLOYMENT OF ALTERNATE GENERATED POWER SOURCES.
- RELATES TO THE TRANSFER AND USE OF CERTAIN STATE LAND TO THE CITY OF NEW ROCHELLE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF MUNICIPAL FIRE SERVICES AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING; EXTENDS AUTHORITY TO TRANSFER.
- SECTION ONE AMENDS SECTION 174 OF THE TOWN LAW TO CLARIFY THAT EVERY REGISTERED VOTER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO CAST ONE VOTE FOR EACH VACANT POSITION ON A BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS TO BE FILLED IN THE FIRST ANNUAL ELECTION OF FIRE DISTRICT OFFICIALS.
APPROXIMATELY 24 BILLS RELATED TO BUILDING CONSTRUCTION/CODES WERE INTRODUCED DURING THE SESSION; 3 WERE SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR AND BECAME LAW, ONE IS CURRENTLY TO THE GOVERNOR FOR SIGNATURE, ONE WAS PASSED IN THE BUDGET BILL AND 19 FAILED TO PASS BOTH HOUSES.
- EXEMPTS HOT TUBS OR SPAS WITH (ASTM COMPLIANT) SAFETY COVERS FROM CERTAIN STANDARDS OF THE NEW YORK STATE UNIFORM FIRE PREVENTION AND BUILDING CODE.
- REQUIRES OWNERS AND AGENTS OF MULTIPLE RESIDENCES AND MULTIPLE DWELLINGS TO PROVIDE NAMES AND CONTACT INFORMATION OF RESIDENTS TO EMERGENCY PERSONNEL UPON THE REQUEST OF SUCH PERSONNEL, WHERE THE PHYSICAL SAFETY OF SUCH RESIDENTS MUST BE ACCOUNTED FOR BY ASCERTAINING THEIR WHEREABOUTS. (Exercise in futility to keep this up to date)
- ESTABLISHES STANDARDS FOR THE EVACUATION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES FROM HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS DURING AN EMERGENCY; PROVIDES FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUCH STANDARDS.
- RELATES TO THE APPOINTMENT FOR AGRICULTURAL REPRESENTATION ON THE STATE FIRE PREVENTION AND BUILDING CODE COUNCIL
FOUR BILLS RELATED TO LITHIUM ION BATTERIES PASSED BOTH HOUSES AND WILL BE SENT TO THE GOVERNOR FOR SIGNATURE.
- BANS THOSE THAT DO NOT MEET INDUSTRY STANDARDS, I.E. DO NOT HAVE A UL OR OTHER TESTING THIRD PARTY SEAL. (WILL ONLY FIND OUT AFTER THE FIRE OCCURS)
- WARNING TAG ON E-MOBILITY VEHICLES (WE KNOW EVERYONE READS AND HEEDS WARNING LABELS!)
- ENABLES NYSERDA/DEC WILL ESTABLISH A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE NEW LI-ION BATTERIES AT NO OR REDUCED COST TO ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING AN EXCHANGE PROGRAM. (WHO PAYS FOR THIS?)
- DEVELOP SAFETY RESOURCES AND POST ON THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY WEBSITES, PUBLIC EDUCATION.
- REQUIRES RETAILERS TO PROVIDE AN OPERATING MANUAL AND REQUIRES RESIDENTIAL LEASES TO CONTAIN A LEASE RIDER INDICATING THAT THE TENANT AGREES TO NOT USE ELECTRICAL OUTLETS FOR CHARGING OF ELECTRIC BATTERIES IN SUCH LEASED RESIDENCE. (WILL ONLY FIND OUT AFTER THE FIRE, AND HOW MANY LANGUAGES WILL THE MANUAL BE PRINTED IN?)
OUT OF THE 29 BILLS RELATED TO THE ISSUES OF UNITED CONCERN, ONE PASSED BOTH HOUSES AND WILL BE SENT TO THE GOVERNOR FOR SIGNATURE:
- AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, IN RELATION TO AUTHORIZE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT FOR TREATMENT IN PLACE AND TRANSPORTATION TO ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE SETTINGS BY AMBULANCE SERVICES