S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
7265
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
April 7, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sen. BAILEY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Insurance
AN ACT to amend the insurance law and the state finance law, in relation
to establishing the strengthen homes program
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The insurance law is amended by adding a new article 6 to
read as follows:
ARTICLE 6
STRENGTHEN HOMES PROGRAM
SECTION 601. PURPOSE.
602. STRENGTHEN HOMES PROGRAM.
603. PREMIUM DISCOUNT OR INSURANCE RATE REDUCTION.
§ 601. PURPOSE. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE IS TO PROMOTE THE
STRENGTHENING OF HOMES IN ORDER TO PROTECT AGAINST SEVERE WEATHER.
§ 602. STRENGTHEN HOMES PROGRAM. (A) THE STRENGTHEN HOMES PROGRAM IS
HEREBY CREATED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT. THE SUPERINTENDENT, AS PROGRAM
ADMINISTRATOR, MAY MAKE FINANCIAL GRANTS TO RETROFIT ROOFS OF INSURABLE
PROPERTY, AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH SIX OF SUBSECTION (B) OF SECTION SIX
HUNDRED THREE OF THIS ARTICLE, WITH A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION TO RESIST LOSS
DUE TO HURRICANE, TORNADO, OR OTHER CATASTROPHIC WINDSTORM EVENTS AND TO
MEET OR EXCEED THE FORTIFIED ROOF STANDARD OF THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE
FOR BUSINESS AND HOME SAFETY.
(B) THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL PROMULGATE RULES GOVERNING ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANTS AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM, WHICH
SHALL INCLUDE APPLICATION FORMS AND PROCEDURES FOR SEEKING A GRANT. THE
RULES SHALL SET FORTH THAT APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST-
COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS WITHIN EACH INCOME TIER ESTABLISHED BY THE
SUPERINTENDENT, WITH PRIORITY GIVEN TO LOWER-INCOME APPLICANTS, APPLI-
CANTS WHO LIVE IN LOCATIONS THAT, BASED ON HISTORICAL DATA, HAVE A HIGH-
ER SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CATASTROPHIC WEATHER EVENTS, AND APPLICANTS MEETING
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09026-01-5
S. 7265 2
ANY OTHER CRITERIA THE SUPERINTENDENT DETERMINES IS APPROPRIATE TO MEET
THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM.
(C) IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A GRANT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, THE GRANTEE
SHALL DO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
(1) OBTAIN ALL PERMITS REQUIRED BY LAW OR ORDINANCE FOR CONSTRUCTION.
(2) ARRANGE AND PAY FOR INSPECTIONS REQUIRED BY LAW OR ORDINANCE AND
THE TERMS OF THE GRANT, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE INSPECTION PURSUANT TO PARA-
GRAPH TWO OF SUBSECTION (B) OF SECTION SIX HUNDRED THREE OF THIS ARTI-
CLE.
(3) COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE BUILDING CODES.
(4) MAINTAIN RECORDS AS REQUIRED BY PARAGRAPH THREE OF SUBSECTION (B)
OF SECTION SIX HUNDRED THREE OF THIS ARTICLE AND THE TERMS OF THE GRANT.
(D) THE NAME OF A RECIPIENT OF A GRANT RECEIVED PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION, THE AMOUNT OF THE GRANT, AND THE MUNICIPAL ADDRESS OF THE
RETROFITTED INSURABLE PROPERTY SHALL BE A PUBLIC RECORD.
(E) THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL USE THEIR BEST EFFORTS TO OBTAIN GRANTS
OR FUNDS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR OTHER FUNDING SOURCES FOR DEPOS-
IT INTO THE STRENGTHEN HOMES PROGRAM FUND, ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO
SECTION NINETY-NINE-SS OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW, TO SUPPLEMENT ANY
APPROPRIATIONS TO SUCH FUND MADE BY THE LEGISLATURE.
(F) IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO THE RECEIPT OF FEDERAL
GRANTS OR FUNDS OR FROM OTHER SOURCES OF GRANTS OR FUNDS.
(G) TO BE ELIGIBLE TO WORK AS A CONTRACTOR ON A PROJECT FUNDED BY A
GRANT UNDER THIS SECTION, SUCH CONTRACTOR SHALL MEET ALL OF THE FOLLOW-
ING PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND SHALL MAINTAIN A CURRENT COPY OF ALL
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND PROOF OF INSURANCE COVERAGE WITH THE PROGRAM
OFFICE. AN ELIGIBLE CONTRACTOR SHALL:
(1) BE REGISTERED OR LICENSED AS A HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR PURSU-
ANT TO LOCAL LAW AS APPLICABLE;
(2) NOT BE SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION BY THE APPLICABLE LICENSING
OR ACCREDITING BODY;
(3) HOLD ANY OTHER STATE OR JURISDICTIONAL BUSINESS LICENSE, REGISTRA-
TION, OR WORK PERMITS REQUIRED BY LAW;
(4) POSSESS AN IN-FORCE GENERAL LIABILITY POLICY WITH ONE MILLION
DOLLARS IN LIABILITY COVERAGE;
(5) POSSESS AN IN-FORCE WORKERS COMPENSATION POLICY;
(6) MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION AS A TRAINED SERVICE PROVIDER WITH THE
INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR BUSINESS AND HOME SAFETY;
(7) MAINTAIN INTERNET ACCESS AND KEEP A VALID EMAIL ADDRESS ON FILE
WITH THE PROGRAM; AND
(8) AGREE TO FOLLOW PROGRAM PROCEDURES AND RULES ESTABLISHED UNDER
THIS SECTION AND SATISFY ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED BY THE
SUPERINTENDENT.
(H) AN ELIGIBLE CONTRACTOR SHALL NOT HAVE A FINANCIAL INTEREST, OTHER
THAN PAYMENT ON BEHALF OF THE HOMEOWNER, IN ANY PROJECT FOR WHICH THE
ELIGIBLE CONTRACTOR PERFORMS WORK TOWARD A FORTIFIED ROOF DESIGNATION
UNDER THE PROGRAM. AN ELIGIBLE CONTRACTOR IS PROHIBITED FROM ACTING AS
THE EVALUATOR FOR A FORTIFIED DESIGNATION ON ANY PROJECT FUNDED BY THE
PROGRAM. AN ELIGIBLE CONTRACTOR SHALL REPORT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT
REGARDING ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST BEFORE WORK COMMENCES ON
ANY JOB FUNDED BY THE PROGRAM.
(I) TO BE ELIGIBLE TO ACT AS AN EVALUATOR ON A PROJECT FUNDED BY A
GRANT UNDER THIS SECTION, SUCH EVALUATOR SHALL:
(1) MEET ALL PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED BY THE
SUPERINTENDENT;
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(2) MAINTAIN AN ACTIVE CERTIFICATION AS A FORTIFIED HOME EVALUATOR FOR
HIGH WIND AND HAIL OR A SUCCESSOR CERTIFICATION WITH THE INSURANCE
INSTITUTE FOR BUSINESS AND HOME SAFETY;
(3) NOT HAVE A FINANCIAL INTEREST IN ANY PROJECT THAT THE EVALUATOR
INSPECTS FOR DESIGNATION PURPOSES FOR THE PROGRAM;
(4) NOT BE AN ELIGIBLE CONTRACTOR OR SUPPLIER OF ANY MATERIAL, PROD-
UCT, OR SYSTEM INSTALLED IN ANY HOME THAT THE EVALUATOR INSPECTS FOR
DESIGNATION PURPOSES FOR THE PROGRAM;
(5) NOT BE A SALES AGENT FOR ANY HOME BEING DESIGNATED FOR THE
PROGRAM; AND
(6) INFORM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST
IMPACTING THE EVALUATOR'S PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM.
(J) THIS SECTION DOES NOT CREATE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
(1) AN ENTITLEMENT FOR PROPERTY OWNERS TO RECEIVE FUNDING TO INSPECT
OR RETROFIT RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.
(2) AN OBLIGATION FOR THE STATE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDING TO INSPECT OR
RETROFIT RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.
§ 603. PREMIUM DISCOUNT OR INSURANCE RATE REDUCTION. (A) ALL INSURANCE
COMPANIES WRITING PROPERTY INSURANCE FOR ANY PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE
STATE THAT HAS BEEN CERTIFIED AS COMPLYING WITH THE MOST RECENT VERSION
OF THE FORTIFIED ROOF STANDARD OF THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR BUSINESS
AND HOME SAFETY:
(1) SHALL PROVIDE A PREMIUM DISCOUNT OR RATE REDUCTION ON THE COVERAGE
IF THE DISCOUNT OR REDUCTION IS ACTUARIALLY JUSTIFIED AND THERE IS
SUFFICIENT AND CREDIBLE EVIDENCE OF COST SAVINGS THAT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED
TO THE CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS; AND
(2) MAY PROVIDE A PREMIUM DISCOUNT OR RATE REDUCTION ON THE COVERAGE
IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY STANDARD DISCOUNT AMOUNTS, TARGETS, OR BENCHMARKS
ESTABLISHED UNDER PARAGRAPH ONE OF SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION, AND
ANY OTHER ADJUSTMENT ON THE COVERAGE.
(B)(1) TO OBTAIN A CREDIT OR DISCOUNT PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, AN
INSURABLE PROPERTY LOCATED IN THIS STATE SHALL BE CERTIFIED AS
CONSTRUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORTIFIED ROOF STANDARDS PROVIDED BY
THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR BUSINESS AND HOME SAFETY.
(2) AN INSURABLE PROPERTY SHALL BE CERTIFIED AS IN CONFORMANCE WITH
THE FORTIFIED ROOF STANDARDS ONLY AFTER INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION BY
AN INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR BUSINESS AND HOME SAFETY CERTIFIED INSPECTOR.
(3) AN OWNER OF INSURABLE PROPERTY CLAIMING A CREDIT OR DISCOUNT SHALL
MAINTAIN THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR BUSINESS AND HOME SAFETY CERTIF-
ICATION DOCUMENTS, WHICH SHALL BE CONSIDERED EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH
THE FORTIFIED HOME STANDARDS. UPON REQUEST, THE CERTIFICATION SHALL BE
PRESENTED TO THE INSURER OR POTENTIAL INSURER OF A PROPERTY OWNER BEFORE
THE ADJUSTMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE FOR THE INSURABLE PROPERTY.
(4) THE CREDIT OR DISCOUNT SHALL APPLY ONLY TO POLICIES THAT PROVIDE
WIND COVERAGE AND MAY APPLY TO THE PORTION OF THE PREMIUM FOR WIND
COVERAGE OR TO THE TOTAL PREMIUM, IF THE INSURER DOES NOT SEPARATE OUT
THE PREMIUM FOR WIND COVERAGE IN THE RATE FILING. THE ADJUSTMENT SHALL
APPLY EXCLUSIVELY TO THE PREMIUM DESIGNATED FOR THE IMPROVED INSURABLE
PROPERTY. THE ADJUSTMENT IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE IN ADDITION TO OTHER
MITIGATION ADJUSTMENTS PROVIDED BY THE INSURER AND SHALL BE IN LIEU OF
THOSE OTHER ADJUSTMENTS, INCLUDING THOSE IN PLACE PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE
DATE OF THIS SECTION, IF THEY ARE DEEMED TO BE DUPLICATED BY THE SUPER-
INTENDENT.
(5) NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL PROHIBIT INSURERS FROM OFFERING
ADDITIONAL ADJUSTMENTS IN DEDUCTIBLE, OTHER CREDIT RATE DIFFERENTIALS,
OR A COMBINATION THEREOF. THESE ADJUSTMENTS SHALL BE AVAILABLE UNDER THE
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TERMS SPECIFIED IN THIS SECTION TO ANY OWNER WHO BUILDS OR LOCATES A NEW
INSURABLE PROPERTY IN THIS STATE TO RESIST LOSS DUE TO HURRICANE, TORNA-
DO, OR OTHER CATASTROPHIC WINDSTORM EVENTS.
(6) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "INSURABLE PROPERTY" MEANS RESI-
DENTIAL PROPERTY THAT IS AN OWNER-OCCUPIED, SINGLE-FAMILY, PRIMARY RESI-
DENCE, THAT MAY BE RETROFITTED.
(C) THE SUPERINTENDENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE STATE FIRE PREVENTION
AND BUILDING CODE COUNCIL, SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS TO
IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION. SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS
SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:
(1) PROVISIONS DEFINING AND DELINEATING THE CRITERIA FOR DISCOUNTS,
CREDITS, RATE DIFFERENTIALS, TARGETS, BENCHMARKS, ADJUSTMENTS IN DEDUCT-
IBLES, OR ANY OTHER ADJUSTMENTS TO REDUCE THE INSURANCE PREMIUM AND HOW
SUCH DISCOUNTS, CREDITS, RATE DIFFERENTIALS, ADJUSTMENTS IN DEDUCTIBLES,
OR ANY OTHER ADJUSTMENTS ARE COMPUTED IN DETERMINING THEIR APPLICATION
IN EACH PREMIUM QUOTED. ANY STANDARD DISCOUNT AMOUNTS, TARGETS, OR
BENCHMARKS PROMULGATED SHALL BE OPTIONAL AND PRIMARILY FOR THE BENEFIT
OF INSURERS THAT ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN ACTUARIALLY VALID DATA TO PROVIDE
A PREMIUM DISCOUNT OR RATE REDUCTION UNDER PARAGRAPH ONE OF SUBSECTION
(A) OF THIS SECTION DUE TO INADEQUATE RESOURCES OR EXPERIENCE.
(2) THOSE ITEMS NECESSARY FOR AN INSURER TO COMPUTE OR OTHERWISE
DETERMINE THE ACTUARIALLY JUSTIFIED AMOUNT OF ANY PREMIUM RATE
REDUCTION, DISCOUNT, CREDIT, RATE DIFFERENTIAL, REDUCTION IN DEDUCTIBLE,
OR OTHER ADJUSTMENT AVAILABLE TO AN INSURED.
(3) PROVISIONS ESTABLISHING THE INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION REQUIRE-
MENTS FOR INSUREDS WHO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
(4) RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS FOR INSURERS.
§ 2. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 99-ss to
read as follows:
§ 99-SS. STRENGTHEN HOMES PROGRAM FUND. 1. THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED
IN THE JOINT CUSTODY OF THE COMPTROLLER AND THE COMMISSIONER OF TAXATION
AND FINANCE A FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE "STRENGTHEN HOMES PROGRAM FUND".
2. SUCH FUND SHALL CONSIST OF ALL GRANTS AND FUNDS RECEIVED OR RAISED
BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (E)
OF SECTION SIX HUNDRED TWO OF THE INSURANCE LAW AND ALL OTHER MONEYS,
APPROPRIATED, CREDITED, OR TRANSFERRED THERETO FROM ANY OTHER FUND OR
SOURCE PURSUANT TO LAW.
3. ALL MONEYS OF THE FUND SHALL BE USED TO PROVIDE GRANTS PURSUANT TO
SECTION SIX HUNDRED TWO OF THE INSURANCE LAW.
4. MONEYS SHALL BE PAYABLE FROM THE FUND ON THE AUDIT AND WARRANT OF
THE COMPTROLLER ON VOUCHERS APPROVED AND CERTIFIED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT
OF FINANCIAL SERVICES.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.
