What's happening
This bill states that future amendments to section 480-a tax exemptions for properties will only apply to new applications.
Why it matters
Protects existing recipients. The bill ensures that any future changes to the 480-a tax exemption law—such as eligibility requirements or benefit levels—will not retroactively affect current landowners already receiving the exemption, providing stability for those who have made long-term land management or investment decisions.
Increases predictability for landowners. By applying new rules only to new applications, property owners can plan for the future with confidence that their current tax benefit won’t be unexpectedly altered by subsequent legislative or regulatory changes.
Could slow down adoption of reforms. Since changes only impact new applicants, it may take years for any reforms aimed at improving, tightening, or expanding the program to have a broad effect, potentially delaying the intended impact of policy updates on land conservation or tax revenue.
Signals legislative intent to respect commitments. This approach reinforces the idea that government commitments, especially those tied to incentives for land stewardship or forestry, should be honored for those already participating, which may foster trust in state programs.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Limit 480-a Tax Changes
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to local government
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to real property taxation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 63–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.452
- 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.
Limit 480-a Tax Changes
In Assembly Committee · Real Property Taxation · Sponsor Aileen Gunther
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1907
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 11, 2017
Introduced by Sens. RITCHIE, SERINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government
AN ACT in relation to properties receiving a 480-a tax exemption
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Any amendments to section 480-a of the real property tax law initiated by the state's department of environmental conservation shall only apply to applications made on or after the effective date of this act.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03661-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act in relation to properties receiving a 480-a tax exemption
Purpose
This bill would allow properties currently receiving a 480-a tax exemption to continue in the program as it currently exists notwithstanding any future amendments to section 480-a of the real property tax law
Summary of provisions
Section 1 states that any amendments to section 480-a of the real property tax law initiated by the Department of Environmental Conservation shall only apply to applications made on or after the effective date of this act.
Section 2 sets the effective date.
Justification
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is currently in discussions to amend the 480-a forest land property tax exemption. Many commercial and residential properties have been in the existing program for decades with the understanding that the exemption agreement with the State can be renewed every ten years. However, the proposed changes would require many participants to either leave the program or take a smaller exemption with different land management requirements with significant additional expenses. This legislation would ensure that current recipients can continue to receive their existing exemption.
Legislative history
2015-2016: S.5096 Referred to Local Government/A.7150 Referred to Real Property tax
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.