What's happening
This bill creates a fund to help Rockaway, Queens repair public infrastructure damaged by severe storms and flooding in late 2012.
Why it matters
Targets publicly owned infrastructure. The fund is strictly for repairing public assets like roads, bridges, boardwalks, drainage, and flood mitigation systems, ensuring that repairs directly benefit the community and support essential services.
Focuses aid on disaster-related damage. Only damage from the specific 2012 storm and flooding is eligible, with a clear prohibition on funding repairs for normal wear and tear. This means the resources are reserved for extraordinary recovery, not ongoing maintenance.
Requires local accountability and documentation. Municipalities must provide proof and attest that repairs are linked to the storm event, adding a layer of oversight and ensuring funds are not misused for unrelated projects.
Establishes a cost-sharing and deadline structure. The fund covers 50% of otherwise unreimbursed repair costs, incentivizing municipalities to seek other funding sources and act promptly, as applications must be submitted by November 3, 2028.
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Who cares
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 veterans, homeland security and military affairs
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
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 Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Khaleel Anderson
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
909
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sen. SANDERS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs
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 munici-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01941-01-5
pality shall receive fifty percent of the cost of otherwise unreimbursed 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing the municipal severe storm relief fund for Rockaway, Queens to be adminis- tered by the division of homeland security and emergency services
Purpose
This bill establishes the municipal severe storm relief fund for Rocka- way, Queens to repair damage to public infrastructure caused by a severe storm event between October 29 and November 3, 2012.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends the executive law by adding a new section 719 estab- lishing the municipal severe storm relief fund for Rockaway, Queens. The relief program, administered by the Division of Homeland
Security and Emergency Services, will apply to projects to repair public infrastructure damaged by a severe storm event from October 29 through November 3, 2012. Funding shall not be used for infrastructure repairs required due to normal wear and tear. The commissioner shall establish the application process for the issuance of such grants. Applications for grants are due before November 3, 2026. The funding shall consist of revenue received pursuant to appropriation, credit or transfer from any source pursuant to law.
Section 2 provides for the effective date.
Existing law
New Law
Justification
Hurricane Sandy proved to be the second costliest hurricane in United States history. This severe storm event destroyed roadways, bridges, tunnels, boardwalks, municipal property, personal property, homes and businesses. Catastrophically, lives were undone by this superstorm. Rockaway, Queens was hit particularly hard and repairs are still under- way several years later. This program will help ensure the public infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Sandy is repaired to restore and protect this vulnerable coastal area.
Legislative history
2021-22 REFERRED TO SENATE VETERANS,HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
2021-22 referred to assembly ways and means
2019-20 REFERRED TO SENATE VETERANS,HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
2017-18 REFERRED TO SENATE VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS 2016 Referred to Senate Rules
Fiscal implications
To be determined
Local fiscal implications
None
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.