What's happening
This bill directs the education department to study and recommend solutions for residents double-taxed by multiple library districts.
Why it matters
Addresses a property tax fairness issue. The bill specifically targets the problem of residents who are required to pay library taxes to more than one library district, potentially resulting in higher total tax burdens for some homeowners.
Seeks to balance resident relief with library funding. By requiring analysis of both the number of affected residents and the economic impact on library districts, the bill aims to prevent unfair double taxation while also considering how changes might affect the financial stability of libraries.
Data-driven approach to policy change. The legislation mandates a study and recommendations, rather than immediate changes, ensuring that any future policy solutions to double taxation are informed by actual data and input from relevant stakeholders (education, taxation, and library officials).
Potential implications for local services. Any changes resulting from this study could affect not only how libraries are funded but also the services available to communities, making the issue relevant to both taxpayers and library users.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study Double Library Taxation
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 39
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Vetoed memo.166
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.458
- Substituted for A7441A
- Referred to ways and means
- Returned to assembly
- Repassed senate
- Amended on third reading 5522a
- Vote reconsidered - restored to third reading
- Returned to senate
Show 7 earlier actions
- Recalled from assembly
- Referred to ways and means
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1195
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to education
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.
Study Double Library Taxation
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Sean Ryan
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5522--A Cal. No. 1195
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 3, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education -- committee discharged and said bill committed to the Committee on Rules -reported favorably from said committee, ordered to a third reading, passed by Senate and delivered to the Assembly, recalled, vote reconsidered, restored to third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading
AN ACT to direct the department of education to study the frequency of residents who are being assessed library taxes for more than one library district and to make recommendations to prevent the double taxation of residents; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The commissioner of education, in consultation with the commissioner of taxation and finance, the public libraries and association libraries, shall study the frequency of residents who are being assessed library taxes for more than one library district, provided that such study exclude any library district that is wholly contained within another library district, and shall make recommendations to address the double taxation of residents. Such study shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) the estimated number of residents who are being assessed library taxes for more than one library district and the amount of money such residents are paying in library taxes to each library;
(b) the estimated economic impact on library districts that would result from prohibiting residents from being assessed library taxes for more than one library district; and
(c) minimizing the economic impact on library districts of reduced revenue resulting from the prohibition of residents from being assessed library taxes for more than one library district.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00566-04-9
S. 5522--A 2
§ 2. The commissioner of education shall submit a report to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly on or before December 31, 2020.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed January 31, 2021.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to direct the department of education to study the frequency of residents who are being assessed library taxes for more than one library district and to make recommendations to prevent the double taxation of residents; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to study the problem of double library taxa- tion statewide and develop recommendations to address it.
Summary of provisions
This bill directs the state education department to conduct a study of the frequency of residents who are being assessed library taxes for more than one library district. The study will include:
- The estimated number of residents paying for more than one district and how much they are paying;
- The economic impact on library districts that would result if resi- dents were prohibited from being assessed for more than one district; and
- Ways the economic impact upon library districts could be minimized. A report with the results of the study is due to the Governor and leaders of the Assembly and Senate by December 31, 2020.
Justification
There are three types of library districts: those based upon municipal boundaries; those based on school district boundaries; and those with special/legislative boundaries. Many residents throughout the state pay twice for the same library service by living in areas where a munici- pality's library district overlaps with a school district's boundary. There have been numerous legislative attempts to solve this problem but none have been enacted. By analyzing the scope of the problem and its potential economic impacts, this bill would pave the way for a statewide solution to the problem.
Double library taxation is an inherently unfair situation for those residents who, by no fault of their own, live in overlapping library districts.
Difference between original and amended version
The amended version excludes from the study any library districts wholly contained within another library district.
Prior legislative history
2018: A11015
Fiscal implications
Minimal cost to the state.
Effective date
The act takes effect immediately and is deemed repealed as of January 31, 2021.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.