Minimum pension amount for small state and county pensions

Every pension of less than $50 per month payable under or pursuant to any law of the State by the State or by any county or independent public board or commission, other than benefits payable to members of the employees' retirement system or to the dependents or beneficiaries of members under parts II, VII, and VIII, shall be increased to $50 per month, any provision in any other law to the contrary notwithstanding; provided that where the dependents of a deceased pensioner are receiving pensions by reason of the pensioner's death, the total only of all amounts paid to the dependents shall be so increased. The council of each county, and each independent board or commission affected, shall appropriate the funds necessary to pay the increases hereby allowed of pensions payable by their respective counties, boards and commissions. Sufficient funds to cover these increases hereby allowed of pensions payable by the State are hereby appropriated from the general revenues of the State not otherwise appropriated, and the state comptroller shall issue warrants to pay these increases.