Emergency Disaster Fund Reforms Introduced

Liz Gullett

May 19, 2017

This week, Representative Steven Marino (R-Harrison Twp.) and Representative Diana Farrington (R-Utica) introduced legislation reforming the state’s contingency fund that helps communities deal with disasters. Under the bills as introduced, the contingency fund would continuously maintain a greater amount of funds that can be used more quickly to help local governments cope with disasters. Currently the minimum balance of the fund is $1 million, this legislation would increase the level to $2.5 million.

Additionally, the legislation sets up a tier system, allowing a maximum assistance grant of $1 million for a county or municipality of 75,000 or more; $500,000 for entities with populations between 25,000 and 75,000; and $250,000 for local governments with 25,000 people or fewer. The currently maximum grant is $100,000.

The legislation has been referred to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration.

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