What's happening
This bill allows school districts to exceed tax levy limits for expenditures on safety and security measures, including personnel and equipment.
Why it matters
Makes school safety and security a funding priority. by allowing districts to raise additional funds specifically for safety measures, signaling that the state recognizes school security as an essential, protected expense.
Covers a wide range of safety-related costs. not just equipment, but also security personnel, safety training, infrastructure improvements, and acquisition of security devices—giving districts flexibility to address local needs and emerging threats.
Provides clarity and legal backing. for school boards to justify exceeding tax caps for these purposes, helping them act decisively in response to serious violent incidents or emergencies without procedural obstacles.
May impact local taxpayers. by permitting tax increases beyond normal limits when tied to safety, potentially increasing community investment in school security but also raising debates over taxation and priorities.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Lift Cap on School Safety Spending
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
12 Co-sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
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.
Exclude School Safety from Tax Cap
In Senate Committee · Education · Sponsor Rich Funke
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
869
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. GUNTHER, BRINDISI, JAFFEE, BUCHWALD, SKOUFIS, OTIS, STIRPE, BARRETT, BRONSON, HAWLEY, RAIA, GRAF, MONTESANO, CROUCH, LUPINACCI -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COOK, PERRY, SKARTADOS -read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to tax levy limits of school districts
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraphs (iii) and (iv) of paragraph i of subdivision 2 of section 2023-a of the education law are renumbered subparagraphs (iv) and (v) and a new subparagraph (iii) is added to read as follows:
(iii) a tax levy necessary for expenditures to ensure adequate safety and protection from a serious violent incident or similar emergency, as such terms are defined in Part 155.17 of the regulations promulgated by the commissioner, which may include, but are not limited to, expenditures for security personnel, safety training or instruction, infrastructure improvements to improve safety and security, and the acquisition of security devices or other safety equipment;
§ 2. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 6 of section 2023-a of the education law, as added by section 2 of part A of chapter 97 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, in the event the trustee, trustees or board of education of a school district that is subject to the provisions of this section proposes a budget that will require a tax levy that exceeds the tax levy limit for the corresponding school year, not including any levy necessary to support the expenditures pursuant to subparagraphs (i) through [(iv)] (v) of paragraph i of subdivision two of this section, then such budget shall be approved if sixty percent of the votes cast thereon are in the affirmative.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03028-01-7
A. 869 2
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately; provided that the amendments made to section 2023-a of the education law by sections one and two of this act shall not affect the repeal of such section and shall be deemed repealed therewith.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.