What's happening
This bill allows municipal corporations to apply for state assistance to offset reduced tax revenues from privately owned forest lands assessed under certain tax provisions.
Why it matters
Helps municipalities maintain essential services. By providing state assistance to municipalities experiencing reduced property tax revenues from privately owned forest lands, the bill ensures that essential local services (like schools, fire, and police) are less likely to suffer due to these tax breaks.
Balances land conservation and local budgets. The bill supports New York’s policy goals of encouraging private forest land conservation (which often comes with reduced tax assessments) while protecting municipal budgets from the financial downside of these tax incentives.
Establishes a formal process with oversight. The requirement for applications, documentation, and valuation/equalization overseen by the state commissioner introduces a standardized, regulated process—potentially reducing disputes and confusion over how much assistance is warranted.
State funding impact and accountability. Requiring appropriations from the legislature means this program could influence overall state budget priorities, and the audit/warrant process adds a layer of financial accountability to the disbursement of public funds.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Compensate Towns for Forest Taxes
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Print number 726a
- Amend and recommit to real property taxation
- Referred to real property taxation
- Referred to real property taxation
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.
Reimburse Cities for Forest Tax Loss
In Senate Committee · Local Government · Sponsor Betty Little
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
726--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. GUNTHER -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. STEC -read once and referred to the Committee on Real Property Taxation -recommitted to the Committee on Real Property Taxation in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the real property tax law, in relation to the assessment of private forest lands and to provide state assistance to municipal corporations relating thereto
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 480 of the real property tax law is amended by adding a new subdivision 10 to read as follows:
10. (a) The chief executive officer of a municipal corporation in which there are privately owned forest lands which are assessed in accordance with the provisions of subdivision three of this section may make application for state assistance as provided in this subdivision.
(b) Application for state assistance pursuant to this subdivision shall be made on a form prescribed by the commissioner and shall contain such information and documentation as may be required by the commissioner and the commissioner may promulgate rules and regulations necessary to the implementation of this subdivision.
(c) Upon receipt of the application for state assistance, such private forest lands shall be valued by the commissioner and the cumulative value of all such lands shall be equalized by applying thereto the appropriate state equalization rate or special equalization rate established in accordance with the rules of the commissioner.
(d) If the cumulative value determined and equalized pursuant to paragraph (c) of this subdivision exceeds the taxable assessed valuation of such property on the preceding assessment roll, as required by subdivision three of this section the commissioner shall compute the amount of state assistance payable to or for the benefit of each municipal corpo-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00197-03-8
A. 726--A 2
ration by applying to the amount of the excess the appropriate tax rate of the municipal corporation and such amount shall be paid on audit and warrant of the comptroller out of moneys appropriated by the legislature.
§ 2. Section 480-a of the real property tax law is amended by adding a new subdivision 11 to read as follows:
11. (a) The chief executive officer of a municipal corporation in which there are privately owned forest lands which are assessed in accordance with the provisions of this section may make application for state assistance as provided in this subdivision.
(b) Application for state assistance pursuant to this subdivision shall be made on a form prescribed by the commissioner and shall contain such information and documentation as may be required by the commissioner and the commissioner may promulgate rules and regulations necessary to the implementation of this subdivision.
(c) Upon receipt of the application for state assistance, such private forest lands shall be valued by the commissioner and the cumulative value of all such lands shall be equalized by applying thereto the appropriate state equalization rate or special equalization rate established in accordance with the rules of the commissioner.
(d) If the cumulative value determined and equalized pursuant to paragraph (c) of this subdivision exceeds the taxable assessed valuation of such property on the preceding assessment roll, as required by this section the commissioner shall compute the amount of state assistance payable to or for the benefit of each municipal corporation by applying to the amount of the excess the appropriate tax rate of the municipal corporation and such amount shall be paid on audit and warrant of the comptroller out of moneys appropriated by the legislature.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to taxes levied upon assessment rolls prepared on the basis of taxable status dates occurring on or after January 1, 2020.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
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