S 8135 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Provides WTC-related benefits to certain employees who worked at the Verrazano Bridge Toll Facility

Bill S 8135 expands the eligibility for World Trade Center (WTC)-related benefits to include certain employees who worked at the Verrazano Bridge Toll Facility. It amends the retirement and social security law by adding these workers to the definition of those who "participated in World Trade Center rescue, recovery or cleanup operations." This change allows these specific employees to qualify for WTC-related benefits. The bill takes effect immediately and applies retroactively to September 11, 2001.

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Apr 29, 2025 Last action Mar 10, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

S8135A → S8135B · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill version (S8135-B) updates the previous draft (S8135-A) by adding a new sponsor, Senator Scarcella-Spanton, and expanding the list of eligible workers to include those who worked at the Verrazano Bridge Toll Facility. The fiscal impact analysis was also revised to reflect a later start date (Fiscal Year 2027 instead of 2026) and adjusted contribution amounts, while the actuarial present value date was updated from June 30, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include employees who worked at the Verrazano Bridge Toll Facility as eligible for WTC-related benefits, in addition to the previously listed police, fire, and EMS personnel.

ELIGIBILITY

Added Senator Scarcella-Spanton to the list of bill sponsors.

Added eligibility for employees who worked at the Verrazano Bridge Toll Facility to the list of qualifying WTC workers.

FISCAL

Updated the fiscal impact table to show employer contributions starting in Fiscal Year 2027 instead of 2026, with adjusted death benefit amounts ($93,000 per death vs. $101,000).

TIMELINE

Changed the actuarial present value calculation date from June 30, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

TECHNICAL

Reformatted the fiscal note section to include additional years (2037-2051) and updated the 'Employer contribution impact' statement to reflect the new end year.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 10, 2026

Committee

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 8135B

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS

upper

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS

upper

May 15, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS

upper

Apr 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 8135A

upper

Apr 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS

upper

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors