What's happening
This bill allows local governments in New York to grant a full property tax exemption to 100% disabled combat veterans.
Why it matters
Targets a specific group. The bill focuses on 100% disabled veterans who served in combat zones, recognizing the significant sacrifices made by this group and aiming to provide them with substantial financial relief.
Empowers local decision-making. By letting counties, cities, towns, villages, and school districts opt in, the legislation gives local governments flexibility to address the needs and values of their own communities, rather than imposing a statewide mandate.
Removes existing exemption caps. The new language overrides previous exemption limits for this group, meaning eligible veterans could be fully exempt from property taxes—potentially making homeownership and stability much more attainable for them and their surviving spouses.
Potential fiscal impacts. If widely adopted, the measure could shift property tax burdens to other residents or affect local budgets, raising important questions about how communities balance support for veterans with broader fiscal needs.
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Who cares
Headline styles
End Property Taxes for Disabled Vets
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
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.
Full Property Tax Relief Veterans
In Assembly Committee · Veterans' Affairs · Sponsor Kenneth Zebrowski
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
406
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- 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 real property tax exemptions for certain disabled veterans
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 458-a of the real property tax law is amended by adding a new paragraph (e) to read as follows:
(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this subdivision, a county, city, town, village or school district acting by and through its governing body, may grant to a veteran, or the unmarried surviving spouse of such veteran, who served in a combat theatre or combat zone of operations, and who is one hundred percent disabled as a result of military service, a one hundred percent exemption from real property taxation. The local maximum exemption allowance adopted by a local law pursuant to paragraph (d) of this subdivision shall not apply to such exemptions of one hundred percent disabled veterans.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to assessment rolls prepared on and after January 1, 2020.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03090-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to real property tax exemptions for certain disabled veterans
Purpose
Relates to real property tax exemptions for disabled veterans.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one amends subdivision two of section 458-a of the real property tax law by adding a new paragraph (e).
Section two is the effective date.
Justification
This bill would provide real property tax exemptions for one hundred Percent disabled veterans (or the unmarried surviving spouse of such veteran) who served in a combat theatre or combat zone of operations. The veteran must be one hundred percent disabled as a result of military service, and shall be one hundred percent exempt from real property taxation. This would reward these American heroes who are now disabled with a tax break, a much deserved exemption for these men and women who have sacrificed their health and wellbeing for the safety of our coun- try.
Legislative history
2018:S.2599-B- Passed Senate / A.1382:13- Referred to Veterans Affairs 2017:S.2599-Passed Senate / A.1382- Referred to Veterans Affairs 2016:S.4627-Passed Senate / A.1728- Referred to Veterans Affairs 2015:S.4627-Passed Senate / A.1728- Referred to Veterans Affairs 2014:S.4136-Passed Senate / A1317 -Referred to Veterans Affairs 2013:S.4136-Referred to Veterans /A.1317 - Referred to Veterans Affairs 2012:S.6456-Reported to Finance / A.9957 - Referred to Veterans Affairs
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to assessment rolls prepared on and after January 1, 2019.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.