Senate Social Services Committee reports six bills after debate on shelter allowances, hearings and overpayment rules

Senate Social Services Committee Chair Senator Roxanne Persaud presided over the committee’s April 29 standing meeting, during which members reported six bills involving amendments to the Social Services Law and debated proposals on shelter allowances, fair hearings and recovery of overpayments.

The committee reported all six bills to the next step: four were reported to first reading, two were sent to finance. The most contested measure was Senate Bill 1454 (Kavanaugh), which would require local social services districts to set shelter allowances at up to 100% of the local fair market rent; several members called it an unfunded mandate. Other debated items included a proposed expansion of the interagency task force on trafficking (S.181 Versailles), extending the time to request a fair hearing from 10 to 60 days (S.2257 Comrie), rules on recovering overpayments of public assistance (S.3582 Rivera), and a bill to eliminate shelter rent in homeless shelters (S.3787, sponsor listed as Myra). The committee also unanimously reported S.70005 (Rawlinson), described by members as a labor-related Social Services Law amendment.

Why it matters: these bills would change the administration and benefits structure of state social services programs and could shift costs to counties or create new state mandates. Committee debate highlighted the trade-offs between increasing benefit levels for recipients and the fiscal impacts on local districts.

Committee action and debate highlights

- Shelter allowances (S.1454, Kavanaugh): The bill was referred to finance after debate. Senator Murray called the 100% fair-market-rent proposal “a laudable goal” but warned it would be “an unfunded mandate to the counties.” Murray gave an example from Essex County, saying a three-person household currently receives a maximum shelter allowance of "$2.68 per month" while the fair market rent for a two-bedroom there is $844, and said counties and taxpayers would “pick up that difference.” Several members recorded negative votes on the motion to report the bill; the committee nonetheless reported it to finance.

- Fair hearing period (S.2257, Comrie): The bill to extend the period for certain applicants to request a fair hearing (moving from the current 10-day period toward a 60-day period under the bill) drew discussion over how much extension is appropriate. One member said 10 days is usually sufficient and suggested 30 days would be “a lot”; proponents said parity with other benefit denials justified the 60-day period. Senator Murray moved the bill and recorded a negative vote; the bill was reported.

- Overpayment recovery (S.3582, Rivera): Members recalled that versions of this bill had been vetoed in the past. One senator supported the governor’s prior veto position, saying that when an overpayment occurs, recipients should correct the mistake and not “keep” funds that were paid in error. Senator Murray and at least one other senator recorded negative votes; the bill was reported to the next step.

- Homeless shelter rent (S.3787, sponsor listed as Myra): The bill would eliminate rent charged to residents of homeless shelters. Some members opposed full elimination, saying shelters need “some skin in the game” to cover operating costs and suggested reducing the percentage rather than eliminating rent entirely. Senator Kavanaugh moved the bill; Senators White and Murray recorded negative votes; the bill was reported.

- Task force on trafficking (S.181, Versailles): The committee moved S.181, which would expand membership of the interagency task force on trafficking in persons. The chair noted the bill had been vetoed previously and members said they would continue working with the governor’s office to seek enactment. The motion was reported.

- Labor-related Social Services amendment (S.70005, Rawlinson): Senator Rawlinson was not present; members said he was in conference but praised the bill. Senator Murray moved and Senator Kavanaugh seconded the motion; there were no recorded negatives and the bill was reported unanimously.

Votes at a glance (named negative votes recorded in committee)

- S.181 (Versailles) — reported to first reading. Motion moved by Senator Murray; second not specified. No named negatives recorded.

- S.1454 (Kavanaugh) — referred to finance; motion moved by Senator Murray; recorded negatives: Senator Murray (no), Senator Wike/Weick (no). Reported to finance.

- S.2257 (Comrie) — reported to first reading; motion moved by Senator Murray; recorded negatives: Senator Murray (no), Senator White (no).

- S.3582 (Rivera) — referred to finance; motion moved by Senator Murray; recorded negatives: Senator Murray (no), Senator Weick (no).

- S.3787 (Myra) — reported to finance; motion moved by Senator Kavanaugh (on behalf of sponsor); recorded negatives: Senator White (no), Senator Murray (no).

- S.70005 (Rawlinson) — reported to finance; motion moved by Senator Murray; seconded by Senator Kavanaugh; no negatives; reported unanimously.

What the committee did not decide

The committee reported all items on the agenda to the next procedural steps but did not enact any final statutory changes; final passage would require floor action and, where applicable, finance committee review or additional votes.

Attendance and procedure notes

Chair Senator Roxanne Persaud opened the meeting and thanked staff. Dennis (staff member) read bill captions throughout the agenda. Several senators were noted as present in person or arriving during the meeting. The meeting convened about six minutes late and adjourned after the listed bills were considered.

Ending

All motions to report the listed bills were made and seconded on the record; named objections from committee members were recorded as noted above. Several items were described by members as previously vetoed or as proposals that require further conversations with the governor’s office or with county partners on fiscal impacts.