What's happening
This bill allows Southampton, Suffolk County, to issue bonds for constructing underground utility districts, with costs assessed to benefiting properties.
Why it matters
Property owners directly benefiting from new underground utilities will be responsible for the costs. , which are assessed based on how much each property is improved by the project. This means those who gain the most pay more, rather than spreading costs across all taxpayers.
The town of Southampton can now finance these utility projects using bonds or notes. with repayment periods of up to 30 years, giving the town a flexible and potentially less burdensome way to fund expensive infrastructure upgrades.
The bill explicitly covers not just electrical lines, but also communications and other municipal utility lines, as well as related land and equipment costs. This broad scope could lead to significant modernization of local infrastructure, enhancing reliability and resilience.
By prioritizing the provisions of this bill over conflicting town laws, the legislation ensures a clear legal pathway. for Southampton to undertake these underground projects, reducing the risk of legal challenges or delays.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Southampton to Issue Bonds
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Signed chap.522
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Home rule request
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.393
- Substituted for A7396
- Referred to ways and means
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Home rule request
- Ordered to third reading cal.1388
Show 2 earlier actions
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- 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.
Allow Southampton to Fund Utilities
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 5466 A. 7396
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
May 1, 2019
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Local Governments
AN ACT to amend chapter 399 of the laws of 2017, relating to authorizing the town of Southampton, Suffolk county, to establish an underground utility improvement district, in relation to the issuance of bonds and notes of the town of Southampton, in the county of Suffolk, for the construction or reconstruction of underground utilities and related facilities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1 of chapter 399 of the laws of 2017, relating to authorizing the town of Southampton, Suffolk county, to establish an underground utility improvement district, is amended to read as follows:
Section 1. (a) The town of Southampton, in the county of Suffolk, is hereby authorized to establish an underground utility improvement district pursuant to articles 12 and 12-A of the town law. Such underground utility improvement district shall be established, funded, operated and otherwise controlled by the provisions of articles 12 and 12-A of the town law and the provisions of this act. To the extent that the provisions of this act shall in any way be in conflict with articles 12 and 12-A of the town law, the provisions of this act shall be controlling.
(b) The costs and expenses of the town of Southampton underground utility improvement district shall be borne by local assessment upon the several lots and parcels of land which the town board shall determine and specify to be especially benefited by the improvement, and the town board shall apportion and assess upon and collect from the several lots
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11117-03-9
S. 5466 2 A. 7396
and parcels of land so deemed benefited, so much upon and from each as shall be in just proportion to the amount of benefit which the improvement shall confer upon the same.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision of section 11.00 of the local finance law to the contrary, the town of Southampton is hereby authorized to issue bonds and notes for the construction or reconstruction of underground conduits and related facilities for the protection of public or municipal utility transmission lines, including but not limited to electrical power distribution and communication lines, including furnishings, machinery, equipment, apparatus, appurtenances, land or rights-in-land, and the costs of and incidental to the transfer of such lines from above ground to such conduits and related facilities. Such issuance shall be authorized for a period of probable usefulness not to exceed 30 years, which shall apply to the object or purpose set forth in this subdivision.
§ 2. 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 chapter 399 of the laws of 2017, relating to authorizing the town of Southampton, Suffolk county, to establish an underground utility improvement district, in relation to the issuance of bonds and notes of the town of Southampton, in the coun- ty of Suffolk, for the construction or reconstruction of underground utilities and related facilities
Purpose or general idea of bill
To authorize the Town of Southampton to determine benefit assessments for costs and expenses and issue bonds and notes related to the Town of Southampton underground utility improvement district.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Amends Chapter 399 of the Laws of 2017 relating to authoriz- ing the Town of Southampton to establish an underground utility improve- ment district.
Section. 2. Immediate effective date.
Justification
Chapter 399 of the Laws of 2017 authorized the Town of Southampton to establish an underground utility improvement district to provide a mech- anism to raise funds and enter into contracts with incumbent utilities providing service within the district to construct new public utilities underground or convert existing overhead public utility facilities to underground facilities.
This legislation provides that the costs and expenses associated with the Southampton underground utility district, established under Chapter 399 of the Laws of 2017, shall be proportionately borne by local assess- ment upon the several lots and parcels of land that the Town Board determines and specifies will benefit by the improvement. It further makes clear that the Town of Southampton is authorized to issue bonds and notes for the construction or reconstruction of underground conduits and related facilities for the protection of public or municipal utility transmission lines for a period of probable usefulness not to exceed 30 years.
Prior legislative history
2019: New Legislation to amend Chapter 399 of the Laws of 2017
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To be determined.
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.