What's happening
This bill creates a task force to develop less burdensome fire protection and emergency response standards for rural areas in New York.
Why it matters
Addresses unique rural challenges. The bill acknowledges that current fire protection and emergency response standards may be too burdensome for rural communities, which often have fewer resources and rely heavily on volunteers.
Potential to boost volunteerism. By developing less restrictive requirements specifically for rural areas, it could make it easier for local residents to volunteer, helping address critical staffing shortages in rural fire and emergency services.
Focuses on tailored standards. The task force is specifically charged with recommending standards that fit the realities of rural New York, ensuring that regulations are not one-size-fits-all and instead reflect the needs and limitations of smaller, less populated communities.
Could influence statewide policy. The task force's findings and recommendations to the legislature may prompt broader changes in law or regulations, potentially setting a precedent for how rural emergency services are supported and governed across the state.
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Rural Fire Task Force
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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History
- Held for consideration in governmental operations
- Referred to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental operations
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2215
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 17, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. CROUCH, BARCLAY, HAWLEY, KOLB, McDONOUGH -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to create a fire protection and emergency response task force in rural areas
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. 1. There is hereby established a statewide fire protection and emergency response task force comprised of eight members who shall develop a plan focusing on the standards and training requirements necessary to effectuate fire protection and emergency response services in rural areas throughout the state of New York. Appointments to the task force shall be made as follows: two by the governor; two by the speaker of the assembly; two by the temporary president of the senate; one by the minority leader of the senate; and one by the minority leader of the assembly. The appointments of the governor shall be a member, officer or employee of the Fireman's Association of the State of New York.
2. The task force shall examine current regulations and establish a set of standards that are applicable only in rural areas as defined in this subdivision. These standards shall be aimed at being less burdensome for rural areas than the current regulations are and shall be designed to encourage citizens to volunteer their services. The task force shall issue a report within ten months after the effective date of this section and shall make recommendations to the legislature regarding any suggested changes in the law or to existing regulations. For purposes of this section, "rural areas" means counties within the state having a population of less than two hundred thousand, and the municipalities, individuals, institutions, communities, programs and such other entities or resources as are found therein. In counties with a population of two hundred thousand or greater, "rural areas" means towns with population densities of one hundred fifty persons or less per square mile, and the villages, individuals, institutions, communities, programs and such other entities or resources as are found therein.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04528-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.