What's happening
This bill requires state or local officers convicted of job-related felonies to permanently lose eligibility for the STAR property tax exemption.
Why it matters
Targets public trust. By permanently denying the STAR property tax exemption to public officers convicted of job-related felonies, the bill aims to deter corruption and reinforce accountability among those in positions of public trust.
Financial consequences beyond criminal penalties. The loss of the STAR exemption, a significant property tax benefit in New York, adds a substantial, long-term financial penalty for convicted officials, affecting their personal finances even after serving criminal sentences.
Applies broadly and immediately. The change covers both state and local officers, and applies to convictions occurring after the law goes into effect—potentially impacting a wide range of public employees and officials found guilty of abusing their office.
Signals seriousness of ethical violations. By linking criminal misuse of public office to the forfeiture of a widely valued tax benefit, the bill underscores the seriousness with which New York treats breaches of public duty, and may influence public perception of government ethics.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Take STAR Tax Breaks from Felons
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to ethics and internal governance
- Referred to ethics and internal governance
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.
End Tax Breaks for Felons
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Mark Walczyk
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2008
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 18, 2019
Introduced by Sens. TEDISCO, HELMING, KAMINSKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Ethics and Internal Governance
AN ACT to amend the public officers law, in relation to requiring the forfeiture by state officers or local officers of STAR exemption eligibility upon conviction of a felony related to public employment
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "STAR Corruption Reduction Act for Politicians (SCRAP)".
§ 2. The public officers law is amended by adding a new section 74-b to read as follows:
§ 74-b. Felony convictions of public officers. Any state officer or local officer, as defined in section two of this chapter, who is convicted in any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction of a felony related to the performance of his or her duties in public office or to abuse of his or her office, shall, in addition to any other penalty, be subject to permanent forfeiture of his or her eligibility for a school tax relief (STAR) exemption as provided in section four hundred twenty-five of the real property tax law.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to convictions occurring on or after such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03144-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public officers law, in relation to requiring the forfeiture by state officers or local officers of STAR exemption eligi- bility upon conviction of a felony related to public employment
Purpose
Provides that certain state and local officers convicted of a felony involving breach of public trust be ineligible for a School tax relief (STAR) exemption.
Summary of specific provisions
The public officers law is amended by adding a new section 74-b to read as follows:
§ 74-b.Felony convictions of public officers. Any state officer or local officer, as defined in section two of this chapter, who is convicted in any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction of a felony related to the performance of his or her duties in public office or to abuse of his or her office, shall, in addition to any other penalty be subject to permanent forfeiture of his or her eligibility for a School tax relief (STAR) exemption as provided in section four hundred twenty-five of the= real property tax law.
Justification
With the overwhelming support of Proposal 2 on the November 2017 election ballot, which allowed judges, following a court hearing, to reduce or revoke the public pension of a public officer convicted of a felony related to his or her official duties, the citizens of New York State sent a clear and strong message.
Property tax relief under the STAR program should by no means be extended to those who have violated their oath of office, stole tax dollars and betrayed the public trust.
This bill would remove STAR exemption eligibility for those convicted of such acts.
Legislative history
01/26/18: S.7580 REFERRED TO FINANCE
02/15/18: S.7580 AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO FINANCE
02/15/18: S.7580 PRINT NUMBER 7580A
Fiscal implications
Savings to the State to the extent that the State will not have to disburse STAR rebate checks to certain convicted felons.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to convictions occurring on or after such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.