What's happening
This bill exempts disabled first responders with certified World Trade Center medical conditions from certain vehicle registration fees in New York.
Why it matters
Direct financial relief for affected first responders. By exempting vehicle registration fees, the bill provides ongoing, tangible economic support to first responders who became disabled due to certified World Trade Center-related medical conditions.
Recognition of 9/11-related health impacts. The legislation formally acknowledges the long-term health consequences faced by responders, reinforcing the state’s commitment to those who suffered disabilities as a result of their service during and after the 9/11 attacks.
Potential for increased awareness and access to benefits. By specifying eligibility for those with certified World Trade Center conditions, the bill may encourage more responders to seek and obtain formal recognition of their health issues, unlocking other support services or benefits.
Sets a precedent for future benefits. Creating a carve-out for a specific, medically certified group of first responders could open the door for similar exemptions or benefits for other groups with service-related disabilities in the future.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Waive Fees for WTC Responders
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 7
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5844
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 15, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KAPLAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to exempting certain first responders from vehicle registration fees
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 6 of section 401 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new paragraph c-1 to read as follows:
c-1. The provisions of this subdivision with respect to the payment of registration fees shall not apply to a passenger or suburban type motor vehicle or the provisions of subdivision seven of this section with respect to the payment of registration fees shall additionally not apply to any auto truck or light delivery car having a maximum gross weight of less than sixty-five hundred pounds which is used exclusively for passengers and owned by any certified first responder who is disabled as a result of a certified World Trade Center medical condition.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11742-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to exempting certain first responders from vehicle registration fees
Purpose or general idea of bill
This legislation would allow for a vehicle registration fee exemption for certified first responders who are disabled as a result of a certi- fied World Trade Center medical condition.
Summary of provisions
Section 1:
Section one of this bill amends subdivision 6 of section 401 of the vehicle and traffic law by extending the exemption already provided to veterans to certified first responders who are disabled as a result of a certified World Trade Center medical condition vehicle registration fees for passenger or suburban type motor vehicles.
Section two of this bill provides that this act shall take immediately.
Justification
Each day, the number of deaths for first responders who participated in World Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup operations continues to grow. Almost eighteen years after the attacks on the World Trade Center, over ten thousand first responders and others in the disaster area have been diagnosed with cancer and other debilitating illnesses, and more than 2,000 deaths have been related to 9/11 related illness.
Even for first responders who are still in good health, the fear of future illness is constantly in their minds. However, these heroes still have to focus on providing financially for their families, and preparing for the potential risk of developing illness as a result of their call to serve on that fateful day. Extending the exemption provided to veter- ans to certified first responders who are disabled as a result of their heroism from vehicle registration fees will aid their families in providing financial peace of mind during already trying times.
Prior legislative history
None
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
Minimal.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.