NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A291
SPONSOR: Paulin TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general municipal law, relating to salary increases
for heads of police departments of municipalities, districts or authori-
ties
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To provide that a police chief receive an immediate increase to his or
her salary if their direct subordinate receives a salary increase. Such
increase in salary shall be in the same dollar amount received by the
direct subordinate.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the general municipal law to require an immediate
increase in a police chiefs salary, in the same dollar amount, if their
direct subordinate receives a salary increase.
Section 2 contains the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Section 207-m of the general municipal law was repealed under tax cap
legislation in 2011, with the goal of providing mandate relief. Howev-
er, such relief was not achieved and the repeal caused hardships for
municipalities. Restoring section 207-m to the general municipal law
would remedy these unintended consequences. For example, it has been
reported that qualified individuals have turned down police chief posi-
tions, due to the disparity caused when a police chief earns less than
those under their supervision.
Restoring section 207-m to the general municipal law will eliminate such
earning disparities and will enable municipalities to hire and retain
the most qualified police chiefs. Specifically, the language requires an
immediate increase in a police chiefs salary, in the same dollar amount,
if their direct subordinate receives a salary increase.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A.10073 of 2016, referred to local governments.
Same as S.7764, referred to local government.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
No fiscal impact to the state.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
