Provides for the taxation of state owned land for all purposes, exclusive of improvements and in accordance with any payment in lieu of taxes agreement.
Summary
Bill A03854 proposes amendments to the real property tax law to subject certain state-owned lands to taxation for all purposes, excluding improvements. The bill outlines specific categories of state-owned lands that will be taxed, including forest lands, public use lands, and lands acquired for conservation purposes. The taxation will be phased in over several years, starting at 10% of the taxes that would be owed if the land were privately owned in 2026, and increasing to 30% by 2030.
Impact
If enacted, this bill will significantly alter the taxation landscape for state-owned lands in New York. It will create a new revenue stream for local municipalities that currently do not receive property tax revenue from these lands. The bill specifies that the taxes paid will not reduce any existing payments owed to municipal corporations under other laws, ensuring that local governments will benefit from this change without losing other forms of revenue.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding Bill A03854 appears to be positive, as indicated by the unanimous support in the Assembly Real Property Taxation Committee, where it received a favorable report to the Ways and Means Committee. This suggests a consensus among committee members regarding the necessity of the bill to enhance local funding through property taxes.
Contention
While the bill has garnered support in committee discussions, there may be contention regarding the implications for state budgets and the potential pushback from state agencies that manage these lands. Concerns may arise about the impact of increased taxation on state-owned lands and how it might affect state operations and conservation efforts.
Provides for the taxation of state owned land for all purposes, exclusive of improvements and in accordance with any payment in lieu of taxes agreement.
Provides for the taxation of state owned land for all purposes, exclusive of improvements and in accordance with any payment in lieu of taxes agreement.
Increases amounts of certain payments in lieu of taxes paid for lands owned by State or nonprofit organization for recreation and conservation purposes.
Increases amounts of certain payments in lieu of taxes paid for lands owned by State or nonprofit organization for recreation and conservation purposes.
Payment rates established for certain substance use disorder treatment services, and vendor eligibility recodified for payments from the behavioral health fund.
Cover Outstanding Vulnerable Expansion-eligible Residents Now Act or the COVER Now Act This bill establishes a demonstration program to allow local governments to provide health benefits to the Medicaid expansion population in states that have not expanded Medicaid. Under the program, local governments may provide coverage for individuals who are newly eligible for Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (i.e., the Medicaid expansion population) for a maximum of 10 years, or until their respective states expand Medicaid. The bill provides a 100% federal matching rate for the first three years of program participation. The bill prohibits states from taking certain actions against participating localities, such as withholding funding, increasing taxes, or restricting provider participation. States that violate these requirements are subject to certain funding penalties.