BILL NUMBER:S3484

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend
chapter 268 of the laws of 1996, amending the education law and the
state finance law relating to providing a recruitment incentive and
retention program for certain active members of the New York army
national guard, New York air national guard, and New York naval militia,
in relation to extending the effectiveness of such chapter

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA:
This bill would extend from March 31, 2011 until March 31, 2017, the
highly successful program established in 1996, which is designed to
encourage interest in the Army National Guard, Air National Guard and
Naval militia, by offering tuition waivers and incentive benefits in
addition to the other current benefits such service personnel may
receive. In so doing, New York seeks to continue to increase its
preparedness and increase the diversity of its rank and file service
members.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
The bill would amend chapter 268 of the laws of 1996, which amended
section 669-b of the Education Law and section 91-d of the State
Finance Law, to continue the highly successful recruitment National
Guard incentive and retention program from 2011 until 2017.
              

JUSTIFICATION:
In 1996, the state legislature established the recruitment incentive
and retention program for certain active members of the New York Army
National Guard, New York Air National Guard and the New York naval
militia. This incentive, which provides tuition assistance for these
active service personnel, has proven a great benefit in New York's
ability to attract and retain soldiers.

These service personnel provide a huge assistance to the state, in
every aspect from emergency response, to civil defense, to being
activated to serve as front line military, combat personnel during
the Global War on Terror. Units from New York have served with great
distinction in Iraq, Afghanistan as well as at the World Trade Center
Disaster. These brave men and women continually sacrifice to keep New
York and its families safe.

This recruitment incentive, which is scheduled to expire this March,
is of critical importance to assuring that the necessary strength
levels are maintained in these state forces. This bill would extend
this important program for an additional six years.
In so doing, New York can rest assured that these brave men and women
will continue to serve at the extraordinary high quality and force
strengths to which we have become accustomed.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The cost for this program has been included in the Governor's
2011-2012 executive budget.

EFFECTIVE DATE:


This act would take effect immediately, and will be deemed to have
been in full force and effect on April 1, 2011.