What's happening
This bill creates a grant program to provide funding for volunteer and municipal ambulance services in New York State.
Why it matters
Targets both rural and urban areas across the state. by making all volunteer and municipal ambulance services in New York eligible, potentially helping communities that struggle most with emergency response resources.
Directly supports local governments and small volunteer squads. by allowing counties and municipalities to apply on behalf of ambulance services, which is significant for smaller or under-resourced districts that may lack grant-writing capacity.
Requires public reporting and transparency. on how funds are distributed, which may help ensure equitable allocation across regions and allow residents and local officials to track which areas and types of projects are being prioritized.
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Who cares
Volunteer Ambulance Services
These organizations stand to benefit directly from new funding opportunities for capital improvements, equipment, and vehicles, helping them maintain or enhance service levels.
Municipal Ambulance Services
City- or town-run ambulance services can apply for grants to improve or expand their operations, facilities, and resources.
Local Governments (Counties & Municipalities)
Local governments may apply on behalf of eligible ambulance services, potentially easing financial burdens and improving emergency response infrastructure in their communities.
Residents & Patients in New York State
Individuals who rely on timely and effective emergency medical services will be affected, as better-equipped and more sustainable ambulance services can improve public health and safety outcomes.
Headline styles
Fund Local Ambulance Services
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to health
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.
Fund Ambulance Services
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Michelle Hinchey
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
11718
IN ASSEMBLY
September 16, 2026
Introduced by COMMITTEE ON RULES -- (at request of M. of A. Woerner, Kay) -- read once and referred to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing the volunteer and municipal ambulance services grant program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 3035 to read as follows:
§ 3035. Volunteer and municipal ambulance services grant program. 1. There is hereby established within the department, the volunteer and municipal ambulance services grant program. The grant program shall be administered by the department for the purpose of awarding capital grants to support projects which sustain or enhance the operation of volunteer and municipal ambulance services, including but not limited to acquisition or maintenance of buildings, equipment, technology, or vehicles.
2. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) "Available funding" shall mean the total appropriation made to the volunteer and municipal ambulance services grant program.
(b) "Eligible project" shall mean a project to support the provision of volunteer or municipal ambulance services, including but not limited to acquisition or maintenance of buildings, equipment, technology, or vehicles. For the purposes of this section, eligible projects relating to the acquisition or maintenance of buildings or vehicles shall include improvement, renovation, rehabilitation, or consolidation of such buildings or vehicles.
(c) "Eligible entity" shall mean:
(i) a voluntary ambulance service, as defined in section three thousand one of this article;
(ii) a municipal ambulance service; or
(iii) two or more eligible entities pursuant to subparagraph (i) or (ii) of this paragraph applying for a shared project that will benefit all such entities.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD16316-01-6
(d) "Grant application cycle" shall mean the period of time determined by the commissioner that begins on the first day an applicant can submit an application and ends no later than the sixtieth day after grant applicants are notified of award decisions.
3. (a) Eligible entities that are located within the state may apply for the grant program for purposes of eligible projects.
(b) A municipality or county may apply for the grant program on behalf of an eligible entity, provided that such municipality or county meets any additional requirements established by the department to document approval from and direct benefit to such eligible entity.
4. Subject to appropriation, grants shall be awarded to eligible entities each grant application cycle on a competitive basis through an application process; provided, however, that no eligible entity shall receive greater than ten percent of the available funding in each grant application cycle. The commissioner shall provide updated information regarding the grant application cycle, available funding, and additional grant information deemed relevant by the commissioner prior to each grant application cycle.
5. The commissioner shall publish a report on the grant application cycle no later than the thirtieth day after such grant application cycle has ended. The report shall be published on the department's website and shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:
(a) the total available funding for the grant application cycle;
(b) the total number of applicants who applied for a grant during the grant application cycle;
(c) a list of awardees, including a list of municipalities served by each awardee; and
(d) the total amount requested and awarded per eligible project type and per county.
6. The commissioner shall promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. Such rules and regulations may be included in the grant application and published on the agency's website.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the date on which 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 are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
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.