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Committee advances four bills; members urge study of volunteer fire department consolidation
Summary
The Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions advanced four bills on April 28, 2026, including measures to allow cemetery corporations to retire indebtedness, exempt two volunteer fire departments from residency limits, and authorize Dormitory Authority financing for Duval Housing Association LLC. Multiple members urged a separate, deeper look at consolidating volunteer fire services and boosting recruitment.
The Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions advanced four bills on April 28, 2026, with members calling for a separate review of volunteer fire department consolidation and recruitment.
The Chair opened the meeting and the clerk read the first measure, Senate Bill 4392, which would amend the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law to allow cemetery corporations to retire certificates or other instruments of indebtedness in favor of a permanent maintenance fund after notice to certificate owners. The Chair said the bill was moved and seconded and it passed by voice vote and was reported to the finance committee.
Committee members then considered two companion measures that would exempt volunteer fire companies from a statutory 45% cap on nonresident members. The clerk read Senate Bill 7204, to exempt the Cottonoy Volunteer Fire Department in the town of Central Square, Oswego County, and later Senate Bill 8681 with similar exemptions for the Cody Volunteer Fire Department. Both bills were moved, seconded and passed by voice vote and were reported to the floor.
A committee member who identified themself as typically voting "no on the floor" urged the committee to treat the membership-exemption bills as an opportunity to discuss consolidation of volunteer fire services across municipalities. "We're not talking enough about consolidation," the committee member said, arguing that many departments now draw members from neighboring communities and that the high cost of trucks and stations makes consolidation a practical policy discussion. The member added that volunteer firefighters do "wonderful, important work," but said demographic change and shifts in residential density are stressing some departments.
The Chair acknowledged the point but said the consolidation discussion should happen at another time and that the committee would press for ways to encourage volunteer recruitment. Other members agreed that practices vary by community and urged locally tailored solutions and incentives rather than a single statewide fix. One member noted that some departments remain at full capacity while others face shortages.
The final bill, S 93 55, would authorize the Dormitory Authority to provide financing to Duval Housing Association LLC to improve its campus. The clerk and members moved and approved that bill by voice vote; it was reported to the floor.
Votes at a glance - Senate Bill 4392 (Not-for-Profit Corporation Law — cemetery indebtedness): moved, seconded, passed by voice vote; reported to the finance committee. - Senate Bill 7204 (exempt Cottonoy Volunteer Fire Department from 45% nonresident limit): moved, seconded, passed by voice vote; reported to the floor. - Senate Bill 8681 (exempt Cody Volunteer Fire Department from 45% nonresident limit): moved, seconded, passed by voice vote; reported to the floor. - Senate Bill S 93 55 (Public Authorities Law — Dormitory Authority financing for Duval Housing Association LLC): moved, seconded, passed by voice vote; reported to the floor.
What’s next The bills advanced to the next committee or floor stages noted above. Committee members said they plan to pursue a separate conversation about volunteer fire department consolidation and recruitment practices; no formal study or directive was adopted during the April 28 meeting.
