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A 11274

Relates to the Volunteer and Exempt Firefighter's Benevolent Association of Bethpage

2025 Regular Session Introduced by John Mikulin

Autho​rizes a Bethpage benevolent association to collect fire insurance premium taxes and use them to support its firefighter-related charitable and benevolent purposes.

REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES
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Bill Summary · A 11274

Executive summary

A11274, introduced in the New York Assembly in the 2025-2026 session, would amend the Nassau County Civil Divisions Act to formalize and update the Volunteer and Exempt Firefighter's Benevolent Association of Bethpage, Nassau County, New York, Inc. The bill clarifies naming, membership eligibility, governance, and the collection and use of certain insurance premium taxes to support the Association’s charitable and benevolent purposes.

Purpose and intent

  • Create and authorize a membership corporation named the Volunteer and Exempt Firefighter's Benevolent Association of Bethpage, Nassau County, New York, Inc.
  • Update terminology from "firemen" to "firefighters" for contemporary usage.
  • Redirect and specify the use of certain fire insurance premium taxes to fund the Association’s benevolent activities in furtherance of its purposes.

Key provisions

  • §629.0 Incorporation; membership

    • Establishes the association as a membership corporation governing Bethpage fire department-related benevolent activities.
    • Sets out how eligible individuals may join (prior notice, attendance at meetings, or written notification within 60 days of secretary’s election) and consistent with by-laws.

  • §629.1 Persons eligible to membership

    • Eligibility includes active volunteer members of the Bethpage fire department who have (or will) become exempt volunteer firefighters under applicable law.
    • Limits membership to individuals who have not been removed for cause and not reinstated; membership terminates if a member withdraws before five years of active service.

  • §629.6 Precept for payment of foreign fire insurance premium taxes

    • The association shall collect all taxes imposed on fire insurance premiums under section 9104 of the Insurance Law, on properties within the Bethpage fire district and other territories where Bethpage provides fire protection.
    • The association’s designated treasurer (or officer as per by-laws) has the same collection and receipt powers as a fire department treasurer.
    • The association is entitled to receive a share of the tax revenue based on the business written in the applicable territory.
    • Importantly, taxes collected under this provision must be used by the association “in furtherance of its purposes” as described in §629.2 (the purposes section referenced but not included in the text provided).

Who is affected

  • Members and prospective members of the Bethpage Volunteer and Exempt Firefighter’s Benevolent Association, as defined by eligibility criteria.
  • The Bethpage fire department and its personnel, specifically active volunteer members and those who become exempt volunteer firefighters.
  • Property owners and fire insurance policyholders in the Bethpage fire district and other territories where Bethpage provides fire protection, due to the allocation and use of foreign fire insurance premium taxes.
  • Nassau County (administration of the Nassau County Civil Divisions Act) and the local government framework overseeing fire services and benevolent associations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: Immediate upon enactment (the bill states “takes effect immediately”).
  • Legislative history: Referred to Local Governments (May 4, 2026) and later changed in action history to Ways and Means (June 1, 2026), indicating a committee and fiscal review step.
  • Relationship to existing law: Amends sections 629.0, 629.1, and 629.6 of Chapter 273 of the Laws of 1939, as added by Chapter 71 of the Laws of 1940.

Notes

  • The bill mirrors an “ass” version described as identical to S10187, suggesting parallel Senate consideration.
  • The text uses updated terminology (firefighters) and formalizes tax collection and allocation for the association’s charitable and protective mission.
  • The exact scope of §629.2 (the stated purposes) is not included in the provided excerpt, but the tax proceeds are restricted to purposes aligned with that section.

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

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