What's happening
This bill creates a municipal severe storm relief fund for Rockaway, Queens to help repair public infrastructure damaged by the 2012 storm.
Why it matters
Targets infrastructure repairs specifically caused by the 2012 storm. , meaning funds can’t be used for routine maintenance or unrelated repairs—ensuring the money addresses disaster-related needs rather than general infrastructure upgrades.
Limits eligibility to public infrastructure (roads, bridges, boardwalks, drainage, flood mitigation, and related systems). , prioritizing the restoration of core community assets that support public safety and daily life.
Requires municipalities to provide documentation and sworn attestation. that damages are directly attributable to the storm, introducing accountability and reducing the risk of misuse or fraudulent claims.
Covers 50% of unreimbursed repair costs, with a deadline for applications. , which incentivizes timely action from local governments and helps ensure recovery efforts are not indefinitely delayed.
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Who cares
New York City government
The bill would offer municipal grants covering 50% of otherwise unreimbursed eligible repairs to Rockaway public infrastructure damaged by flooding from the October 29–November 3, 2012 storm, subject to available funding.
Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
The division would administer the program and establish application and grant procedures, with applications due before November 3, 2028.
Municipal infrastructure agencies
Agencies responsible for Rockaway’s publicly owned roads, bridges, boardwalks, drainage and flood mitigation systems would need documentation and a municipal attestation linking repair costs to the specified flooding, rather than normal wear and tear.
Headline styles
Storm Relief Fund for Rockaway
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to ways and means
- Referred to ways and means
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.
Storm Relief Fund for Rockaway
In Senate Committee · Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs · Sponsor James Sanders Jr.
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
459
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. ANDERSON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing the municipal severe storm relief fund for Rockaway, Queens to be administered by the division of homeland security and emergency services
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 720 to read as follows:
§ 720. Municipal severe storm relief fund for Rockaway, Queens. 1. There is hereby established a municipal severe storm assistance relief program for Rockaway, Queens for damage resulting from a severe storm and flooding which occurred on November third, two thousand twelve to be administered by the division of homeland security and emergency services.
2. Projects eligible for program grants pursuant to this section shall be limited to projects to repair damage to public infrastructure, including publicly owned roads, bridges, boardwalks, drainage and flood mitigation systems, and any ancillary infrastructure necessary for the safe operation of the components thereof, within Rockaway, Queens when such damage occurred as a result of a severe storm event on October twenty-ninth, two thousand twelve through November third, two thousand twelve. In no event shall funding be used for infrastructure repairs that are required due to normal wear and tear.
3. The commissioner of the division of homeland security and emergency services shall establish procedures for receipt of application from municipalities and for the issuance of grants authorized by this section within available appropriations. Applications for such grants shall be submitted before November third, two thousand twenty-eight. A municipality shall receive fifty percent of the cost of otherwise unreimbursed
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01941-01-5
repairs from damages incurred due to such flooding, provided the appropriate municipal authority has submitted appropriate documentation of such damage and has filed an attestation with the division indicating that the damage for which repairs were made is directly attributable to flooding resulting from the October twenty-ninth, two thousand twelve through November third, two thousand twelve storm.
4. Funding for such program shall consist of all revenue received pursuant to an appropriation therefor, and any other monies appropriated, credited or transferred from any other source pursuant to law. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent the state from receiving grants, gifts or bequests for the purpose of the program. Grants shall only be awarded based upon the availability of funds.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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.