Extends provisions relating to a recruitment incentive and retention program for certain active members of the New York army national guard, air national guard and naval militia

2 Co-sponsors

• William J. Larkin Jr.
• Patty Ritchie

BILL NUMBER:S3484

Title of bill

An act to amend chapter 268 of the laws of 1996, amending the education law and the state finance law relating to providing a recruitment incentive and retention program for certain active members of the New York army national guard, New York air national guard, and New York naval militia, in relation to extending the effectiveness of such chapter

Purpose or general idea

This bill would extend from March 31, 2011 until March 31, 2017, the highly successful program established in 1996, which is designed to encourage interest in the Army National Guard, Air National Guard and Naval militia, by offering tuition waivers and incentive benefits in addition to the other current benefits such service personnel may receive. In so doing, New York seeks to continue to increase its preparedness and increase the diversity of its rank and file service members.

Summary of specific provisions

The bill would amend chapter 268 of the laws of 1996, which amended section 669-b of the Education Law and section 91-d of the State Finance Law, to continue the highly successful recruitment National Guard incentive and retention program from 2011 until 2017.

Justification

In 1996, the state legislature established the recruitment incentive and retention program for certain active members of the New York Army National Guard, New York Air National Guard and the New York naval militia. This incentive, which provides tuition assistance for these active service personnel, has proven a great benefit in New York's ability to attract and retain soldiers.

These service personnel provide a huge assistance to the state, in every aspect from emergency response, to civil defense, to being activated to serve as front line military, combat personnel during the Global War on Terror. Units from New York have served with great distinction in Iraq, Afghanistan as well as at the World Trade Center Disaster. These brave men and women continually sacrifice to keep New York and its families safe.

This recruitment incentive, which is scheduled to expire this March, is of critical importance to assuring that the necessary strength levels are maintained in these state forces. This bill would extend this important program for an additional six years. In so doing, New York can rest assured that these brave men and women will continue to serve at the extraordinary high quality and force strengths to which we have become accustomed.

Fiscal implications

The cost for this program has been included in the Governor's 2011-2012 executive budget.

Effective date

This act would take effect immediately, and will be deemed to have been in full force and effect on April 1, 2011.