Establishes the New York state historic preservation fund and provides for the undertaking of historic preservation projects

6 Co-sponsors

• Martin Malavé Dilan
• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Velmanette Montgomery
• Suzi Oppenheimer
• José M. Serrano
• James L. Seward

BILL NUMBER:S2832A

Title of bill

An act to amend the state finance law, the tax law and the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to establishing the New York state historic preservation fund

Purpose or general idea of bill

This legislation's goal is to create a fund which would allow taxpayers to contribute gifts toward the preservation and restoration of significant municipal and commercial architecture and historic buildings throughout New York state.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 of the bill outlines the legislative findings and intent, declaring that the restoration, preservation and adaptive use of historic properties is an essential element to help revitalize and bring about reinvestment in older downtown and business districts throughout the state.

Section 2 of the bill adds a new section 99-t to the state Finance law creating the New York State Historic Preservation Fund. Moneys of such fund shall be made available to the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation for grants to municipalities and non-profit corporations.

Section 3 of the bill adds a new Section 623 to the tax law to allow for gifts to be made to the fund from an individual's tax return.

Section 4 of the bill adds a new Section 14.11 to the Parks, Recreation, and Historic preservation law to empower the Commissioner to enter into preservation projects and make grants not to exceed fifty percent of the project cost.

Justification

The restoration, preservation, and adaptive reuse of historic properties in New York State is an essential component to help revitalize and steer reinvestment in older downtowns and business districts throughout New York State. The preservation and restoration of New York's vast historical and architecturally significant buildings must and can continue to be used as building blocks for community growth and prosperity. This fund would foster that important goal.

While the Clean Water/Air Bond Act and the Environmental quality Bond Act had appropriated funds for historic preservation, such funds have been exhausted.

Fiscal implications

None to the State.

Legislative history

2008: S.2955 Died - Rules 2009/10: S.4029 Died - Finance 2011: S.2832 Finance Committee

Effective date

This act shall take effect January 1, 2013 except that section three of this act shall take effect on January 1, 2014, or such time that the requirements therein can be implemented prior to the initial printing of state personal income tax return forms, whichever occurs first, provided that the office of the state comptroller shall notify the legislative bill drafting commission upon the occurrence of the enactment of the legislation provided for in section three of this act in order that the commission may maintain an accurate and timely effective database of the official text of the laws of the State of New York in furtherance of effectuating the provisions of Section 44 of the legislative law and section 70-b of the public officers law.