What's happening
This bill extends tuition waivers for certain firefighters and fire officers at CUNY until 2028.
Why it matters
Continues financial support for volunteer firefighters and fire officers in New York City. By extending tuition waivers at CUNY, the bill directly benefits those serving in city fire departments, helping them pursue higher education without cost.
May help recruit and retain firefighters. Keeping this benefit in place for two more years could make service as a firefighter or fire officer more attractive, especially for those considering long-term commitment or career advancement.
Impacts CUNY and its budget planning. The extension ensures the university system continues to accommodate these waivers, affecting how CUNY allocates tuition revenue and plans for student support through 2028.
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Who cares
Firefighters and Fire Officers
Direct beneficiaries who rely on CUNY tuition waivers; the extension allows them to pursue higher education at reduced or no cost for two additional years.
City University of New York (CUNY) System
Responsible for implementing tuition waiver policies; needs to plan for continued participation and possible budget impacts.
Local Fire Departments and Recruitment Advocates
Organizations that benefit from educational incentives as a tool for recruitment and retention of volunteer and career firefighters.
State and Local Government Budget Officials
Stakeholders tasked with overseeing the fiscal impact of the tuition waiver program and ensuring its sustainability through 2028.
Headline styles
Extend Tuition Waivers for Firefighters
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Signed chap.145
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to assembly
- Passed senateVote 60–0
- 3rd reading cal.1517
- Substituted for S10524
- Referred to education
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Advanced to third reading cal.488
- Reported
- Reported referred to ways and means
Show 1 earlier action
- Referred to higher education
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.
Extend CUNY Firefighter Tuition Waivers
Senate Floor Calendar · Sponsor Toby Ann Stavisky
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
11005
IN ASSEMBLY
April 16, 2026
Introduced by M. of A. CUNNINGHAM -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend part U of chapter 56 of the laws of 2018, amending the education law relating to requiring regulations to permit tuition waivers for certain firefighters and fire officers for CUNY, in relation to the effectiveness thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 2 of part U of chapter 56 of the laws of 2018, amending the education law relating to requiring regulations to permit tuition waivers for certain firefighters and fire officers for CUNY, as amended by chapter 138 of the laws of 2024, is amended to read as follows:
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed July 1, [2026] 2028.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15565-01-6
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.