Five bills on CBC’s Benefit Sweetener Scorecard have passed both houses of the State Legislature. These bills are highlighted in red on the Scorecard.

A7862/S5644 would transfer SUNY police officers to the Police and Fire Retirement System, generating a one-time cost of $10 million and new annual obligations of $1 million for the State. SUNY police now participate in plans available to state and local civilian employees.

A9162/S7716 would circumvent a recent court ruling by allowing Tier III and V police and firefighters hired between July 1, 2009 and March 31, 2012, who may have been working under an expired collective bargaining agreement, to join an optional 20-year retirement plan without any employee contributions.

A9392/S7120 would automatically enroll members of the Police and Fire Retirement System in the more expensive, optional 20-year plan unless members opt out.

The final two bills pertain to Long Island. A8160/S5153 would increase disability pensions for Suffolk County probation officers from one-third to one-half of final average salary, costing the County $218,000 annually and $1 million upfront.  A9051/S6810 would provide a 75 percent disability pension for ambulance personnel in Nassau County at a cost of $170,000 annually. The Nassau and Suffolk County Legislatures passed home rule requests for both bills.

The next step for these bills is to be delivered to the Governor. After they are delivered, the Governor will have 10 days to sign or veto the bills.