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Home My WebLink AboutJ - 06 PERMA Proposed Bills;)ERMA.. o Town of Cortlandville Attn: Mr. Tom Williams 3577 Terrace Road Cortlandville, NY 13045 RE: URGENT Action Requested Bill Numbers: S.6410 / A.52A Dear Tom, Public Employer Risk Management Association P.O. Box 12250, Albany, NY 12212 Phone: 518-220-1111 Fax: 877-737-6232 RECEIVED APR 2 7 2023 April 24, 2023 On behalf of PERMA, I am writing to ask for your assistance in support of the above two bills currently before the State Legislature. These bills once adopted will allow PERMA to continue to offer an Alternative Contribution Program (ACP) that is designed for large public entities and municipal pools that prefer to absorb the initial cost of a claim in return for a savings on their annual contribution. In effect, it provides members with a large deductible option that is customized to your needs. For over twenty years, PERMA has successfully offered this program to members. However, several years ago, the New York State Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) questioned if statutory authority permits the program to exist. PERMA believes it does but in the interim we have refrained from enrolling new members in the program until special legislation is adopted into law allowing the ACP program to continue in perpetuity. The bills referenced above need to be adopted by both houses of the legislature before the session ends and then presented to the Governor to sign into law. As you know, the ACP program is an important alternative to conventional workers' compensation coverage. Absent this legislation, we have no guarantee that the WCB will continue to allow those currently in the program to remain. Over the years, the program has demonstrated considerable savings to the participating jurisdictions and now with a permanent tax cap in place, this option needs to be codified. We are calling upon you to help advocate for the passage of these bills and show your support by: • Contacting your State Legislators to discuss this important workers' compensation program and requesting that they include their names as sponsors of the bill. • Ask your State Legislators to contact PERMA's lobbyist, Alex Betke from Brown, and Weinraub (518-427-7350), so he can explain the bill's importance and answer any questions the legislator may have. This legislative change is critical at a time when municipalities are challenged to find lower cost alternatives to their service delivery expenses. The ACP is a proven product with no downside to the municipality or employee. PERMA wants to continue offering and expand this custom-tailored workers' compensation benefit program that is service -oriented, focusing on the needs of New York's larger municipal jurisdictions and municipal pools. For your convenience, please find enclosed a sample letter that can be sent to your State Legislator in support of these bills. This letter is also available to email or download by visiting perma.org/members/takeaction. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, ( II c0" Jack Wheeler Chair. Board of Directors perma.org April 2023 LEGISLATOR NAME ADDRESS ADDRESS2 CITY, STATE, ZIP RE: URGENT Action Requested Bill Numbers: A.52A: S.6410 Dear [LEGISLATOR NAME], I am writing to you today concerning proposed legislation under consideration by the [State Senate and Assembly]. This legislation will have a positive impact on the [MUNICIPALITY], as well as other municipal governments within New York State. I am calling upon you to support this bill and join as a co-sponsor. The legislation, [A.52A: S.6410], will continue to provide the [MUNICIPALITY NAME] flexible options for our workers' compensation coverage, to best suit our budgetary needs, including the option of group self-insurance. This bill will: Offer affordable coverage options for larger municipalities allowing for deductibles that can assist in managing our costs. Provide safer work environments as group self-insurance programs offer robust safety and risk management programs to help public employers avoid losses. Contain taxpayer costs through the affordable coverage option and risk management programs by reducing long-term costs. For these reasons, we are asking that you please co-sponsor and support this bill [A.52A: S.64101. Thank you for your time and consideration! Sincerely, [YOUR NAME] [TITLE] [MUNICIPALITY] Cc: [BROKER] [PERMA]