Relates to quarterly claim reports for certain disaster assistance

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to quarterly claim reports for certain disaster assistance

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill would enact a chapter amendment to chapter 413 of the laws of 2015 (S.4694-A) to require the governor's office of storm recovery to produce quarterly reports that provide the legislature and the public with certain selected information on pending claims.

Summary of specific provisions

This bill would amend section 29-k of the executive law, to require the governor's office of storm recovery to produce quarterly reports that provide the legislature and the public with certain selected information on pending claims. Pursuant to this chapter amendment, such information would be required to be reported by county.

The original bill would have required the governor to provide comprehensive quarterly reports on claims for disaster assistance pending before the office of storm recovery, without any county designation.

Justification

In 2012, Superstorm Sandy devastated communities across Long Island and New York City. It was the deadliest and most destructive hurricane of the 2012 season and was the second-costliest hurricane in United States history. Over two years later, the aftermath of this storm is still impacting, and causing hardship for, many residents of our state.

As of October 2014, it was reported that repairs were complete for only 2,000 of the 8,896 Long Island homes that were approved for aid by NY Rising. Accordingly, more than 5,000 households were still awaiting funding assistance eligibility determinations. Since NY Rising was formed, there have been countless reports from the frustrated people of Long Island of an overly complex and cumbersome process to apply for and obtain the funding to rebuild or rehabilitate their homes.

This bill would allow the Legislature to oversee the status of these claims and ensure that the process is being carried out in a timely and orderly fashion. This legislation would further help the legislature ensure that the state is making every effort to provide for the people whose lives were affected by this catastrophic event.

This chapter amendment, negotiated and achieving a three-way agreement, will allow this important legislation to go forward, so as to encourage the more rapid and successful conclusion of these important claims.

Prior legislative history

2015 - S4694-A: Chapter 413 of the Laws of 2015

Fiscal implications

None noted.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the laws of 2015, amending the executive law, relating to quarterly claim reports for certain disaster assistance, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S.4694-A and A.7204-A.