By Sadef Ali Kully
Two state legislative bills related to Hurricane Sandy recovery funds, sponsored by Queens elected officials, should help New Yorkers across the state who were devastated by the 2012 superstorm.
State Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway Park) sponsored legislation to establish claim investigation settlement standards to ensure timely payment of funds in the event of another disaster.
“Families in southern Queens and Rockaway diligently paid their insurance premiums with the idea that they would quickly be reimbursed in the event of a disaster,” Goldfeder said. “This legislation would help families get back on their feet, recover their losses and get home sooner.”
In response to the insurance payments delays, which can also hold up FEMA assistance, the bill would require insurers to respond to a claim arising from a disaster or emergency in accordance with regulations established by the state Department of Financial Services. Secondly, it would mandate insurers to accept or reject a claim within 15 business days of closing the investigation, and pay a claim within three business days of the claim being settled. In addition, insurers would have to allow claimants to make certain repairs necessary to protect health and safety and to accept an alternative proof of damage.
The second bill, co-sponsored by state Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach), provides more oversight and information to the public on the way Hurricane Sandy recovery funds are spent by the state.
“Given the sobering recent news that New York City has spent only 16 percent of the Hurricane Sandy-related funding it has received so far, I think we can all agree that greater transparency and accountability in the use of all Sandy funding is warranted,” Addabbo said.
Under the bill, the state Division of the Budget office would be required to maintain and update a portion of its website to detail how Hurricane Sandy monies are being spent. The DOB would also prepare a quarterly report detailing the total amount of recovery monies received by the state, how and where it was distributed, the recipients, the number of related jobs created, whether the funding achieved its purpose, and other specifics.
The bill has been approved by the state Senate and the Assembly and will ultimately be sent to Gov. Andrew Cuomo for final action.
Reach Reporter Sadef Ali Kully by e-mail at skull
