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Bill

A 11181

Relates to the use of certain moneys received by the West Babylon Volunteer Firemen's Benevolent Association and the modernization of certain language

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Michael Durso

The bill updates the West Babylon Benevolent Association’s governance, membership rules, and directs tax-derived funds to its charitable and welfare purposes.

SUBSTITUTED BY S10244
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 11181

Summary of Bill A.11181 (2025-2026, New York)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill amends Chapter 459 of the laws of 1962, which originally incorporated and governed the West Babylon Volunteer Firemen’s Benevolent Association.
  • It modernizes language and clarifies the use of certain funds received by the benevolent association, with a focus on how these funds may be collected and expended to support the association’s purposes.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Membership and incorporation language (Sections 1–2)

    • Restates or refines eligibility criteria for membership in the West Babylon Volunteer Firefighters’ Benevolent Association.
    • Specifies who may become members (active volunteer members of the West Babylon Volunteer Fire Department or related fire corporations within the West Babylon district) and conditions under which membership ends (e.g., withdrawal from active volunteer service, relocation, or loss of fire protection territory).
    • Clarifies that individuals removed from a fire company for cause and not reinstated are ineligible.
    • Addresses continuity of membership when a member moves out of protection territory or when protection ceases in the area.

  2. Governance and control of funds (Section 6)

    • Transfers or confirms control of the association’s funds, property, and affairs to a board of trustees.
    • The board of trustees will consist of nine members: the current officers (president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer) and five additional trustees.
    • Officers and trustees are to be elected annually in accordance with the association’s by-laws.

  3. Tax collection and use of foreign fire insurance premium taxes (Section 7)

    • The association shall collect and receive taxes under Insurance Law sections related to fire insurance premiums (specifically the sections referenced as 9,954 and related provisions, adjusted numerically in this bill as sections 9,194 and 9,105 in the text).
    • The association is entitled to receive a share of these taxes based on the business written in the territory the association serves.
    • Tax revenues collected under this provision shall be used for the association’s purposes as described in the act (previously framed as care and relief of disabled or indigent volunteer and exempt volunteer firemen and their families; the bill updates the language to align with current purposes).
    • The designated tax collection official for the association is authorized to exercise powers and duties under the Insurance Law as it relates to treasurers of fire departments.

Affected parties and scope

  • Primary entity: West Babylon Volunteer Firemen’s Benevolent Association (the benevolent/welfare arm linked to the West Babylon volunteer fire department and district in Suffolk County, New York).
  • Members: Current and future active volunteer firefighters or related fire personnel within the West Babylon district, subject to eligibility and conduct provisions.
  • Tax-related funds: Proceeds from foreign fire insurance premium taxes (and the association’s share of such taxes) collected from properties within the district’s fire protection territory.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: The act is set to take effect immediately upon enactment.
  • Implementation timing for taxes: Amendments to the tax-related provisions apply to taxes due and premiums received on or after January 1, 2027.
  • This creates a two-stage effect: immediate governance and language updates, with delayed applicability for the tax collection provisions to align with the 2027 tax cycle.

Practical impact

  • Clarifies and potentially expands the governance structure and oversight of the benevolent association’s finances.
  • Ensures clearer eligibility criteria and continuity of membership tied to active service and fire protection territory.
  • Updates the framework for how insurance premium tax revenues are collected and allocated, directing funds to the association for its stated charitable and welfare purposes related to firefighters and their families.
  • Aligns terminology and statutory references with modern language and statutory numbering.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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