Allows Steven Kobie Jackson to be eligible to take the civil service exam for the position of police officer for the town of Woodstock police department

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Michelle Hinchey

The bill allows Steven Kobie Jackson, a part-time Woodstock officer, to take the police officer exam and, if scoring qualifying, be placed on the eligible list for a full-time posi

DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

Overview

Bill S 9458, introduced in the New York State Senate by Senator Hinchey, would allow an individual named Steven Kobie Jackson to be eligible to take the civil service competitive examination for the position of police officer with the Town of Woodstock Police Department in Ulster County. The bill would then place him on the eligible list for appointment as a full-time police officer, contingent on his examination score, while subject to the standard merit and fitness requirements applicable to full-time officers.

Main purpose and intent

Create an exception to current civil service eligibility rules to permit Steven Kobie Jackson, a long-term part-time member of the Woodstock Police Department, to compete for the position of full-time police officer.

Enable a pathway for Jackson to be considered for a full-time appointment based on his competitive examination score, subject to the usual merit and fitness standards.

Key provisions

Section 1: Notwithstanding §58 of the Civil Service Law or any contrary provision, Steven Kobie Jackson, who has been continuously employed by the Town of Woodstock Police Department as a part-time police officer, shall be eligible to:

Take the competitive civil service examination for the position of police officer.
If his examination score qualifies him, be eligible to be placed on the eligible list for appointment as a full-time police officer for the Woodstock Police Department.

Section 2: Jackson shall be subject to the merit and fitness provisions of the civil service law applicable to full-time police officers.

Section 3: The act takes effect immediately.

Who would be affected

Primary beneficiary: Steven Kobie Jackson, a current part-time Woodstock police officer.

Indirectly affected: The Woodstock Police Department and the allocation of its full-time officer positions, contingent on Jackson’s examination results and eligibility.

Administrative impact: Civil Service processes would apply to Jackson’s examination and eligibility determination, consistent with full-time officer merit and fitness standards.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction date: March 13, 2026.

Passed Senate: June 4, 2026 (as part of the action history).

Delivered to Assembly: June 4, 2026.

Committee actions: Initially referred to Civil Service and Pensions; subsequently discharged from committee and committed to Rules; moved toward third reading.

Effective date: Immediate upon enactment.

Notable context

The bill provides a targeted exemption to the civil service eligibility framework rather than a broad policy change.

It aligns Jackson’s path to full-time eligibility with standard merit and fitness criteria once he enters the examination and ranking process.

The “home rule” and procedural steps indicate coordination between the Senate and Assembly for local law implications.