A legislative refresh is breathing new life into a decades-old charter in Thornwood, New York. Senate Bill S8232, introduced on May 27, 2025, updates the 1945 founding law of the Volunteer and Exempt Firefighters’ Benevolent Association of Thornwood, New York.
The bill modernizes language and significantly expands the purposes for which the association can operate. Alongside updated terminology—changing "firemen" to "firefighters" throughout—the legislation also clarifies membership eligibility and the group’s access to insurance tax revenue.
The revised law broadens the association’s mission from strictly offering “relief, aid and assistance” to disabled or indigent members to a wider scope of welfare activities. These now include providing for health and safety, maintaining headquarters, enhancing morale through social and recreational wellbeing, and promoting the volunteer fire service in Thornwood.
The act also strengthens the group's authority to receive and use fire insurance tax revenue collected under sections 9104 and 9105 of the Insurance Law. These taxes—paid by insurers on premiums for fire coverage—are designated for fire department benefit. Under the bill, funds collected must now be used strictly “in furtherance of its purposes set forth in section one of this act.”
The legislation retains original structural elements, such as the process for organizing meetings, adopting by-laws, and electing officers. It also confirms that any member who fails to comply with the rules or voluntarily ceases membership forfeits interest in the association’s property.
These changes take effect immediately, with the revenue provisions applying to taxes on premiums received on or after January 1, 2026.
