BILL NUMBER: S797

SPONSOR: KAPLAN
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to exempting
certain first responders from vehicle registration fees

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This legislation would allow for a vehicle registration fee exemption
for certified first responders who are disabled as a result of a certi-
fied World Trade Center medical condition.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one of this bill amends subdivision 6 of section 401 of the
vehicle and traffic law by extending the exemption already provided to
veterans to certified first responders who are disabled as a result of a
certified World Trade Center medical condition vehicle registration fees
for passenger or suburban type motor vehicles.
              

Section two of this bill provides that this act shall take immediately.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Each day, the number of deaths for first responders who participated in
World Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup operations continues to
grow. Almost eighteen years after the attacks on the World Trade Center,
over ten thousand first responders and others in the disaster area have
been diagnosed with cancer and other debilitating illnesses, and more
than 2,000 deaths have been related to 9/11 related illness.

Even for first responders who are still in good health, the fear of
future illness is constantly in their minds. However, these heroes still
have to focus on providing financially for their families, and preparing
for the potential risk of developing illness as a result of their call
to serve on that fateful day. Extending the exemption provided to veter-
ans to certified first responders who are disabled as a result of their
heroism from vehicle registration fees will aid their families in
providing financial peace of mind during already trying times.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

S. 5844 of 2019/20; Referred to Senate Transportation Committee.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

Minimal.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.