What's happening
This bill allows state-owned lands in the town of Bedford, Westchester County, to be subject to local property taxation.
Why it matters
Financial Impact on State and Local Budgets. By allowing Bedford to tax state-owned land (excluding state-built structures), the bill could shift some financial responsibility from New York State to the local government, potentially generating additional revenue for Bedford but creating new expenses for the state.
Potential for Local Service Expansion. The new tax revenue could empower the town of Bedford to invest more in local services such as schools, infrastructure, and emergency services, which might otherwise be underfunded due to the exemption of state land from taxation.
Equity and Precedent Issues. This measure could address perceived inequities between towns that host state land and those that do not, and may set a precedent for similar taxation in other municipalities, potentially influencing future statewide policy on state land taxation.
Impact on State-Owned Land Management. The bill may make the state more mindful about acquiring or holding land in Bedford, knowing it will now incur recurring local tax costs, possibly affecting future land use or conservation decisions.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Tax State Land in Bedford
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to local government
- Reported and committed to finance
- 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.
Tax State Land in Bedford
In Assembly Committee · Real Property Taxation · Sponsor David Buchwald
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2686
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 28, 2019
Introduced by Sens. MAYER, HARCKHAM -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government
AN ACT to amend the real property tax law, in relation to taxation of state lands in the town of Bedford in Westchester county
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 532 of the real property tax law is amended by adding a new subdivision (l) to read as follows:
(l) All lands owned by the state in the town of Bedford in Westchester county, exclusive of the improvements erected thereon by the state.
§ 2. Paragraph (b) of subdivision 1 of section 536 of the real property tax law is amended to read as follows:
(b) Lands owned by the state, exclusive of the improvements erected thereon by the state, situate in the following towns:
County Town
Cattaraugus Carrollton
Cold Spring
Elko
Great Valley
Red House
Salamanca
South Valley
Clinton Ellenburg
Dutchess Hyde Park
Poughkeepsie
Greene Coxsackie
Oneida Lee
Marcy
Trenton
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00578-01-9
S. 2686 2
Western
Orange Highlands
Tuxedo
Woodbury
Westchester Bedford
Rockland All towns
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
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 taxation of state lands in the town of Bedford in Westchester county
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill relates to the taxation of state lands in the Town of Bedford in Westchester County.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of the bill adds state land in the Town of Bedford in West- chester County to the tax rolls.
Section 2 of the bill ensures that state land in the Town of Bedford in Westchester County is subject to school property taxation.
Section 3 sets the effective date.
Prior legislative history
2016: S.8202 Latimer - Referred to Rules 2018: S8348
Existing law
The state does not pay any property taxes in the Town of Bedford.
Justification
The Town of Bedford and the Bedford Central School District have suffered the unnecessary and unacceptable implications of the State's general unwillingness to address unfunded mandates. Correspondingly, the State has provided tax dollars for State owned land on a haphazard basis that does not include land within the Town of Bedford. The Bedford Central School District deserves to be paid for the State prisons within their jurisdictions. This is valuable land and the State should pay its fair share of taxes to lessen the burden on local property taxpayers.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Local fiscal implications
Positive implications to be determined.
Impact on regulation of business and individuals
None.
Effect on fines, terms of imprisonment or other penal sanctions
None.
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.