Increases benefits for volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers

Latest action Mar 10, 2026

Increases benefits for volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers.

Not chosen yet

Where it stands

Out of committee and scheduled for a vote by the full chamber.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Same as A6410, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Amends the Volunteer Firefighters' Benefit Law.

Committee

Local Government · New York State Senate

Also referred to Local Governments · New York State Assembly.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

The purpose of this bill is to update the disability benefits afforded to volunteer fire and ambulance workers

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recorded votes

Vote: Committee vote · Local Government
Senate Local GovernmentMar 10, 2026Result: passed
(6) (0) (0) (1)
Vote: Committee vote · Local Government
Senate Local GovernmentApr 29, 2025Result: passed
(7) (0) (0) (0)

Cosponsors

Al Taylor, Andrea Bailey and 52 more on Agora

Democratic33
Republican21

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why James Skoufis says this is needed

Volunteer fire and ambulance personnel selflessly risk their lives to serve their communities. They undertake critical duties such as entering burning buildings, responding to natural disasters, and managing public health emergencies. These dedicated individuals perform their responsi- bilities without compensation despite the inherent dangers to their safety, careers, and families. When injuries occur, the Volunteer Benefits Law provides essential support, including healthcare coverage, wage compensation, and other necessary assistance. These benefits offer volunteer first responders peace of mind, knowing they and their families will be cared for in times of need. However, many of these benefits have not been updated in decades, with most compensation thresholds last revised in the 1990s. As a result, they no longer adequately reflect current economic realities. This legislation seeks to modernize and enhance these benefits to ensure they provide appropriate and meaningful support to those who risk their lives in service to others.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

Mar 10, 2026
Reported out of committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
NY Assembly
Apr 29, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
NY Senate
Mar 4, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
NY Assembly

Show full history (1 earlier event)

Feb 21, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT
NY Senate

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Nov 2, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

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