What's happening
This bill allows New York City to create a land bank by city council local law and lowers maximum board members to eleven.
Why it matters
Empowers New York City to create land banks through its own city council, giving the city more direct local control over how it handles vacant, abandoned, or tax-delinquent properties. This could make it faster and easier for NYC to address blight and redevelop troubled properties in ways tailored to local needs.
Lowering the maximum number of board members from fifteen to eleven may streamline decision-making. A smaller board could potentially act more efficiently, with less potential for gridlock or administrative delays—important for managing complex real estate and redevelopment projects.
Land banks have a direct impact on neighborhoods by enabling the city to return unused or neglected land to productive use, such as affordable housing, community spaces, or economic development. This change could accelerate revitalization efforts in struggling areas and help address issues like housing shortages and neighborhood decline.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create NYC Land Bank
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 14
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
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.
Create NYC Land Bank
In Assembly Committee · Cities · Sponsor Walter T. Mosley
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5109
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the not-for-profit corporation law, in relation to the creation of a land bank in a city with eight million or more residents by adoption of a local law by the city council
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The opening paragraph and subparagraph 2 of paragraph (a) of section 1603 of the not-for-profit corporation law, the opening paragraph as added by chapter 257 of the laws of 2011 and subparagraph 2 as amended by chapter 372 of the laws of 2013, are amended to read as follows:
Any foreclosing governmental unit may create a land bank by the adoption of a local law, ordinance, or resolution as appropriate to such foreclosing governmental unit and in addition, any city with eight million or more residents may create a land bank by adoption of a local law by the city council which action specifies the following:
(2) the number of members of the board of directors, which shall consist of an odd number of members, and shall be not less than five members nor more than [fifteen] eleven members;
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10133-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the not-for-profit corporation law, in relation to the creation of a land bank in a city with eight million or more residents by adoption of a local law by the city council
Purpose or general idea of bill
To encourage cities with eight million or more residents to authorize land banks
Summary of specific provisions
Allows cities with a population of eight million or more to adopt a local law to allow for the creation land banks.
Justification
New York City is in a housing crisis at levels not seen since WWII. This is due in part to many factors, but one of the most significant challenges during this crisis is the cost of land acquisition. This bill will allow and encourage New York City to utilize their vacant lots in a way that reinvests in the community.
Prior legislative history
Senate Bill 5204-B of 2017-18.
Fiscal implications
Minimum to 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.