What's happening
This bill requires industrial development agencies and public authorities to notify and confirm notice to affected local taxing jurisdictions and school districts before approving projects or tax exemption policy deviations.
Why it matters
Improves transparency and accountability. By requiring certified mail with return receipt to affected local governments and school districts, the bill ensures those entities are formally and verifiably notified about potential changes that could impact their tax base or funding.
Empowers local input. School districts and local taxing jurisdictions will have clear, documented notice before industrial development agencies or authorities approve projects or make exceptions to standard tax exemption policies, giving these stakeholders a greater opportunity to respond or voice concerns.
Reduces risk of overlooked impacts. The requirement to notify both the school board and district superintendent specifically addresses the risk that major decisions affecting school tax revenues might otherwise go unnoticed by key educational leaders.
May affect project timelines and negotiations. The mandated notice and confirmation process could slow down project approvals or tax policy deviations, potentially leading to more deliberation and negotiation between developers, agencies, and local governments.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Notice Before IDA Projects
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 14
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to local government
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7831
IN SENATE
February 25, 2020
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- 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 public authorities law, in relation to requiring notice and confirmation of such notice by affected local taxing jurisdictions and school districts prior to approval of projects by industrial development agencies
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 859-a of the general municipal law is amended by adding a new subdivision 1-a to read as follows:
1-a. The agency shall deliver a copy of the resolution adopted pursuant to subdivision one of this section by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the chief executive officer of each affected local taxing jurisdiction. When the affected local taxing jurisdiction is a school district, the agency shall deliver a copy of such resolution by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the school board and district superintendent of each affected school district.
§ 2. Paragraph (b) of subdivision 4 of section 874 of the general municipal law, as amended by chapter 357 of the laws of 1993, is amended to read as follows:
(b) The agency shall establish a procedure for deviation from the uniform tax exemption policy required pursuant to this subdivision. The agency shall set forth in writing the reasons for deviation from such policy, and shall further notify by certified mail, return receipt requested, the affected local taxing jurisdictions of the proposed deviation from such policy and the reasons therefor. When the affected local taxing jurisdiction is a school district, the agency shall notify by certified mail, return receipt requested, the school board and district superintendent of each affected school district.
§ 3. Section 1953-a of the public authorities law is amended by adding a new subdivision 1-a to read as follows:
1-a. The authority shall deliver a copy of the resolution adopted pursuant to subdivision one of this section by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the chief executive officer of each affected tax
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03005-04-0
S. 7831 2
jurisdiction. When the affected tax jurisdiction is a school district, the authority shall deliver a copy of such resolution by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the school board and district superintendent of each affected school district.
§ 4. Subdivision 2 of section 1963-a of the public authorities law, as amended by chapter 357 of the laws of 1993, is amended to read as follows:
2. The authority shall establish a procedure for deviation from the uniform tax exemption policy required pursuant to this section. The authority shall set forth in writing the reasons for deviation from such policy, and shall further notify by certified mail, return receipt requested, the affected tax jurisdictions of the proposed deviation from such policy and the reasons therefor. When the affected tax jurisdiction is a school district, the authority shall notify by certified mail, return receipt requested, the school board and district superintendent of each affected school district.
§ 5. Section 2307 of the public authorities law is amended by adding a new subdivision 1-a to read as follows:
1-a. The authority shall deliver a copy of the resolution adopted pursuant to subdivision one of this section by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the chief executive officer of each affected tax jurisdiction. When the affected tax jurisdiction is a school district, the authority shall deliver a copy of such resolution by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the school board and district superintendent of each affected school district.
§ 6. Subdivision 2 of section 2315 of the public authorities law, as amended by chapter 357 of the laws of 1993, is amended to read as follows:
2. The authority shall establish a procedure for deviation from the uniform tax exemption policy required pursuant to this section. The authority shall set forth in writing the reasons for deviation from such policy, and shall further notify by certified mail, return receipt requested, the affected local taxing jurisdictions of the proposed deviation from such policy and the reasons therefor. When the affected tax jurisdiction is a school district, the authority shall notify by certified mail, return receipt requested, the school board and district superintendent of each affected school district.
§ 7. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
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 public authorities law, in relation to requiring notice and confirmation of such notice by affected local taxing jurisdictions and school districts prior to approval of projects by industrial development agencies
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would ensure that important notifications required by law to be given by Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) are received by affected local taxing jurisdictions.
Summary of provisions
This bill amends General Municipal Law and Public Authorities Law to require IDAs to send notifications of proposed financial incentives for a project and any reasons for deviation from their uniform tax exemption policy to affected local taxing jurisdictions by certified mail, return receipt requested. If the affected local taxing jurisdiction is a school district, notifications are required to be sent to the school board and district superintendent of the school district.
Justification
Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) deliver economic incentives to business and industry, strengthen the local tax base and support local job creation. In order to ensure this mission, IDAs must work coopera- tively with local governments, economic development partners and school districts. This bill will ensure coordination and transparency among stakeholders without inhibiting economic growth or having a negative impact on school district revenues or local taxpayers.
Prior legislative history
S.2769/A.2947 of 2019-Vetoed.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.