What's happening
This bill amends existing law to add Ulster County to the list of counties eligible for community preservation funds in New York.
Why it matters
Expands access to funding. By adding Ulster County to the list of eligible counties, local governments and communities in Ulster can now access community preservation funds, which can be used for conserving open space, protecting water resources, and preserving historic sites.
Promotes local control over land use. The inclusion of Ulster County empowers its towns and cities to establish or enhance their own community preservation programs, allowing more tailored approaches to local environmental and development priorities.
Potentially increases real estate-related fees. The funding mechanism for community preservation funds typically involves a fee on certain real estate transactions, so property buyers and sellers in Ulster County may see new or increased fees dedicated to preservation efforts.
Supports regional conservation efforts. By aligning Ulster County with neighboring counties (Putnam and Westchester), the bill could facilitate broader, more coordinated conservation and land use strategies across the Hudson Valley, benefiting regional ecosystems and recreation.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Add Ulster as Designated Community
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Signed chap.608
- Approval memo.33
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.439
- Substituted for A129
- Referred to local governments
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 46–16
- Ordered to third reading cal.1228
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
Show 1 earlier action
- 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.
Add Ulster to Designated Communities
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Kevin Cahill
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6235
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 28, 2019
Introduced by Sen. METZGER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law and the tax law, in relation to community preservation funds
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (d) of subdivision 1 of section 6-s of the general municipal law, as added by chapter 596 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
(d) "Designated community" means any town or city within the Hudson Valley counties of Putnam, Ulster, or Westchester.
§ 2. Subdivision 11 of section 1560 of the tax law, as added by chapter 596 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
11. "Designated community" means any town or city within the Hudson Valley counties of Putnam, Ulster, or Westchester.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01960-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general municipal law and the tax law, in relation to community preservation funds
Purpose
To allow municipalities in Ulster County to raise funds for community preservation
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Adds Ulster County to the list of counties in the Hudson Valley eligible to raise funding for community preservation
Section 2: Effective Date
Justification
Currently, Putnam and Westchester Counties have this authorization. This bill would allow funds raised to be used for establishment of (a) parks, nature preserves,or recreation areas; (b) preservation of open space; (c) preservation of lands of exceptional scenic value; (d) preservation of fresh and saltwater marshes or other wetlands; (e) preservation of aquifer recharge areas; (f) preservation of undeveloped beachlands or shoreline; establishment of wildlife refuges for the purpose of main- taining native animal species diversity, including the protection of habitat essential to the recovery of rare, threatened or end angered species; (h) preservation of unique or threatened ecological areas; (i) preservation of rivers and river areas in a natural, free-flowing condi- tion; (j) preservation of forested land; (k) preservation of public access to lands for public use including stream rights and waterways; (1) preservation of historic places and properties listed on the New York state register of historic places and/or protected under a munici- pal historic preservation ordinance or law; (m) undertaking any of the paragraphs of this subdivision in furtherance of the establishment of a greenbelt; and (n) preservation of land which is predominantly viable agricultural land, or unique and irreplaceable agricultural land.
Prior legislative history
New Legislation
Fiscal implications
Potential increased revenue for municipalities
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.