What's happening
This bill expands the definition of "period of war" for veterans' property tax exemptions to include the Global War on Terrorism and certain NATO combat operations.
Why it matters
Expanding eligibility for property tax exemptions. By including the Global War on Terrorism and certain NATO operations, more veterans—particularly those who served after 2001 or in specific peacekeeping/combat missions—will now qualify for property tax relief, potentially reducing their financial burden.
Recognizing modern military service. The bill acknowledges the sacrifices of veterans involved in recent and ongoing conflicts, placing their service on equal footing with veterans of earlier wars and addressing a gap where modern veterans may have previously been excluded.
Potential fiscal impact on local governments. As the pool of eligible veterans grows, municipalities may see a decrease in property tax revenues, which could affect local budgets or shift tax burdens to non-exempt property owners.
Symbolic validation of evolving military engagements. Formally naming the Global War on Terrorism and specific NATO missions as "periods of war" signals state recognition that modern conflicts are as significant as traditional wars, which may influence public perception and policy around veterans' benefits.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Update War Definition for Vets
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 39
History
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
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.
Expand Veterans' Tax Exemptions
In Assembly Committee · Veterans' Affairs · Sponsor Nily Rozic
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1676
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 15, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs
AN ACT to amend the real property tax law, in relation to defining "period of war" for the alternative veterans' exemption
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 1 of section 458-a of the real property tax law, as amended by chapter 179 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as follows:
(a) "Period of war" means the Spanish-American war; the Mexican border period; World War I; World War II; the hostilities, known as the Korean war, which commenced June twenty-seventh, nineteen hundred fifty and terminated on January thirty-first, nineteen hundred fifty-five; the hostilities, known as the Vietnam war, which commenced February twentyeighth, nineteen hundred sixty-one and terminated on May seventh, nineteen hundred seventy-five; [and] the hostilities, known as the Persian Gulf conflict, which commenced August second, nineteen hundred ninety[.]; the hostilities participated in by the military forces of the United States in the Global War on Terrorism from September eleventh, two thousand one through the end of such hostilities; and the hostilities participated in by the military forces of the United States in NATO related combat theaters in Somalia from August, nineteen hundred ninety-two through March, nineteen hundred ninety-four, Bosnia in December, nineteen hundred ninety-five through November, two thousand four and Kosovo in April, nineteen hundred ninety-nine through June, nineteen hundred ninety-nine.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01138-03-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to defining "period of war" for the alternative veterans' exemption
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.
Summary of provisions
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 Septem- ber 11, 2001 through the end of such hostilities and hostilities partic- ipated 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.
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 oper- ations, they should be afforded the same eligibility to apply for veter- an's alternative exemptions provided to veterans of other "periods of war" currently provided for in this section of the real property tax law.
Prior legislative history
Assembly: 05/01/17 - Referred to Veterans' Affairs 01/03/18 - Referred to Veterans' Affairs
Senate: 01/09/17 - Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs 01/03/18 - Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs
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.