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Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 61
History
- Referred to local government
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to STAR exemptions for owners who are absent due to medical reasons or institutionalization
In Assembly Committee · Real Property Taxation · Sponsor Robin Schimminger
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to STAR exemptions for owners who are absent due to medical reasons or institutionalization
Purpose
To protect aged and unwell residents who may be in the hospital or nursing home from losing their STAR exemption which may lead to the loss of their homes.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 - amends paragraph b of subdivision 3 of section 425 of the Real Property Tax Law, as added by section 1 of part B of Chapter 389 of the Laws of 1997, to provide that to be STAR eligible the property must serve as the primary residence of one or more of the owners unless the owner or owners are absent from the property due to medical reasons or institutionalization
Section 2 - amends paragraph c of subdivision 4 of section 425 of the Reap Property Tax Law, as added by section 4 of part A of Chapter 405 of the Laws of 1999 to provide that an exemption shall be granted when an owner is absent from the residence while receiving health-related care provided that during such confinement the property is not occupied by anyone other than the spouse, child or co-owner of such owner.
Section 3 - provides the effective date.
Justification
It appears that municipalities are denying STAR benefits for property where the owner is receiving health related care in a hospital or nursing home where no one is residing in the property, or in which a child, who in all likelihood was a caregiver before the owner went to the hospital or nursing home, and who will be a caregiver if the owner is able to return home, is residing. As a result, these owners, sick and aged, are faced with a higher school tax bill at a time they may be struggling with their health and to pay their for their medical treatment. The result can be that such owners cannot afford to keep their homes, and they must sell and lose the opportunity to return home should their condition improve. The language proposed here is the same as the exception language that applies to Veterans exemptions in Real Property Tax Law subsection 458-a (d). For many practical and humanitarian reasons, it should be an important social goal to allow our residents to remain in their homes, if they wish to remain, for as long as possible.
Legislative history
This is a new bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to the administration of the STAR exemption beginning with the school year following the effective date of this act.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.