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- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
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Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S6147
Title of bill
An act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to certain veterans' exemptions
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of the bill is to update the "period of war" definitions in the alternative veterans' exemption to include recent and current "hostilities" in Somalia, Bosnia, and Kosovo and in the Global War on Terrorism respectively. The bill also provides special consideration to such veterans allowing them to file applications for alternative veterans' exemptions that will be effective retroactively for no more than 1 year and prorated accordingly.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends paragraphs (a) of subdivision 1, and subdivisions 3 and 3-a of section 458-a of the real property tax law, by amending the definition of "period of war" to include hostilities participated in by military forces of the United States in the Global War on Terrorism from September 11, 2001 through the end of such hostilities and hostilities participated in by military forces of the United States in NATO related combat theaters in Somalia from August 1992 through March 1994, Bosnia in December 1995 through November 2004 and Kosovo in April 1999 through June 1999; and by adding that once an application is made such exemption shall be effective retroactively to the prior fiscal year, but not beyond one year; and if such exemption is granted it shall be prorated to the date upon which the veteran filed the application.
Section 2 of the bill sets forth an immediate effective date.
Justification
Subdivision 1 of Section 458-a of the real property tax law has not been updated to include recent and current "periods of war" where United States military forces were engaged in "hostilities" including the Global War on Terrorism, Somalia, Bosnia and Kosovo. Since military personnel were actively engaged in hostilities in each of these operations, they should be afforded the same eligibility to apply for veterans alternative exemptions provided to veterans of other "periods of war" currently provided for in this section of the real property tax law.
In addition, although there are necessary requirements for the timely filing of applications for property tax exemptions, veterans who are covered under Section 458-a deserve special recognition and privilege due the sacrifices that they so readily gave their nation. Many times "combat veterans" are unaware of their entitlement to the tax exemptions provided in this section of the real property tax law and unwittingly lose out on tremendous benefits which many of them could desperately use. This is especially the case for those veterans who suffered injury or surviving spouses of deceased veterans who may be dealing with significant financial pressures. Therefore, it is appropriate that the state provide for a retroactive exemption of no more than 1 year, which will be prorated accordingly from the date
that the veteran (or their eligible spouse) submits their application for the alternative veterans' exemption.
Prior legislative history
None.
Fiscal implications
To Be Determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.