S 7817 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Authorizes the widow of William James Middlebrooks to file a retirement option election on behalf of her deceased husband

This bill (S 7817) allows Janice Middlebrooks, widow of William James Middlebrooks, to file a retirement election form on behalf of her deceased husband for the New York state retirement system. It authorizes her to request this on or before December 31, 2025, and deems his disability retirement effective as of November 1, 2004. All retirement benefits under this bill will be paid to Janice in addition to any other death benefits she may receive. The bill is specific to this individual case and does not create new general policy.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2025

Committee Review

Jun 2026

Senate Passage

Jun 2026

Assembly Passage

Governor

Introduced May 9, 2025 Last action Jun 4, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S7817 → S7817A · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill was amended to update the fiscal impact estimates and the timeline for submitting a retirement request. The primary change is shifting the deadline for the widow to file a request from a specific date in 2025 to a relative deadline of one year from the act's effective date, providing more flexibility. Additionally, the estimated cost to the retirement system was revised upward, and the fiscal analysis was updated to reflect the 2026 legislative session.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's applicability remains the same, as it still concerns the specific widow of William James Middlebrooks, but the procedural requirements for claiming benefits were relaxed.

TIMELINE

The deadline for the widow to submit a retirement request was changed from a fixed date of December 31, 2025, to a flexible deadline of one year from when the bill takes effect.

FISCAL

The estimated immediate past service cost was increased from approximately $472,000 to $489,000, and the cost-sharing responsibility was adjusted to apply to all participating employers rather than just the State and local employers.

TECHNICAL

The fiscal note was updated to reflect the 2026 Legislative Session, changing the certification date and fiscal note number to match the new legislative cycle.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 12, 2025

How they voted

59–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 63

Jun 12, 2025

D Democratic41

38 Yea 3

92% Yea

R Republican22

21 Yea 1

95% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 4, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES

lower

Jun 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

PASSED SENATE

upper

Jun 3, 2026

Committee

COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES

upper

May 18, 2026

Committee

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE

upper

Apr 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 7817A

upper

Apr 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS

upper

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS

upper

Jun 12, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES

lower

Jun 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED SENATE

upper

Jun 12, 2025

Committee

COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES

upper

May 9, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors