What's happening
This bill requires fire departments in cities with over one million people to get state approval before charging fees for motor vehicle fires or accidents.
Why it matters
Limits Local Autonomy. This bill restricts large city fire departments from independently deciding to charge for responses to motor vehicle incidents, shifting some financial and operational control away from municipal governments and towards state oversight.
State-Level Oversight. By requiring approval from the Office of Fire Prevention and Control, the state gains a direct role in determining whether and under what conditions such fees can be imposed, potentially leading to more uniform standards and limiting ad hoc or inconsistent local fee policies.
Protects Residents and Motorists. The need for state approval could reduce the risk of unexpected or excessive fees being charged to individuals involved in vehicle fires or accidents, possibly alleviating financial burdens on drivers who are already facing stressful situations.
May Impact Fire Department Funding. Fire departments in cities with over one million residents may face new hurdles in generating revenue through service fees, which could influence their budgeting processes and potentially affect the resources available for emergency response unless alternative funding sources are secured.
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Who cares
Headline styles
State Oversight for Fire Fees
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to finance
- Referred to finance
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
State Approval for FDNY Fees
In Assembly Committee · Cities · Sponsor David Weprin
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3586
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 25, 2017
Introduced by Sens. COMRIE, PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to fees charged by certain fire departments for motor vehicle fires and accidents
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 159-d to read as follows:
§ 159-d. Approval for fees. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no fire department located in a city with a population of one million or more shall charge a fee for services provided in response to a motor vehicle fire or motor vehicle accident unless such fire department obtains approval from the office of fire prevention and control to charge such fee. Such approval shall be obtained by application to such office in a manner and form prescribed by such office.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date is authorized to be made on or before such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00356-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to fees charged by certain fire departments for motor vehicle fires and accidents
Purpose
Provides that a fire department located in a city with a population of one million or more shall obtain state approval for fees charged for responding to accidents.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 159-d to read as follows: § 159-d. Approval for fees. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no fire department located in a city with a population of one million or more shall charge a fee for services provided in response to a motor vehicle fire or motor vehicle accident unless such fire department obtains approval from the office of fire prevention and control to charge such fee. Such approval shall be obtained by application to such office in a manner and form prescribed such office.
Justification
The FDNY has announced its intention to impose a fee on individuals involved in auto accidents. Under the plan, a car fire WITH personal injury will cost $490, a car fire WITHOUT personal injury will cost $415, an accident WITH injury will cost $490, and an accident WITHOUT injury will cost $365. This so-called 'accident tax' is unconscionable; if the FDNY responds, you will be charged, even when the accident is NOT YOUR FAULT! New York City must not attempt to balance the budget on the backs of middle class New Yorkers who have the misfortune to be involved in a vehicular accident. This legislation will require approval by the State legislature prior to the imposition of any 'accident tax' fees on New York State residents.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.7734/A.2695 Referred to Finance
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date is authorized to be made and completed on or before such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.