New York Senate Bill S09041

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/27/26
• Refer: 1/27/26

Caption

Extends the effectiveness of the authority of the town of Red Hook to impose real estate transfer taxes and to deposit revenue from such taxes into a community preservation fund.

Summary

This bill extends the sunset date for the Town of Red Hook’s authority to impose a local real estate transfer tax and to deposit the proceeds into its community preservation fund. Under current law, that authority was set to expire on December 31, 2026; the bill changes the expiration date to December 31, 2051, effectively continuing the local tax program for an additional 25 years. The measure does not create a new tax or change the tax rate. Instead, it preserves an existing local revenue source that the town may use for community preservation purposes. The bill also keeps in place the statutory framework established in chapter 443 of the laws of 2006, which authorizes the town to collect transfer-tax revenue and direct it to the designated fund.

Impact

The bill amends the expiration provision of chapter 443 of the laws of 2006, extending the life of the town’s enabling authority from 2026 to 2051. As a result, the Town of Red Hook would retain its power under state law to levy the local real estate transfer tax and continue depositing the revenue into its community preservation fund. The practical effect is to maintain a local financing mechanism for land conservation, open space, and related preservation uses without altering statewide tax law more broadly.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the measure appears routine and noncontroversial. Its purpose is administrative and preservational rather than policy-shifting, suggesting general support for allowing the town to continue an existing local funding tool. No opposition is reflected in the available materials.

Contention

The only apparent point of contention is the length of the extension: the bill moves the sunset from 2026 to 2051, which could draw scrutiny from those who prefer periodic legislative review of local taxing authority. Otherwise, the bill is narrowly focused and does not indicate disputes over the tax itself, the community preservation fund, or the town’s use of the revenue. No specific stakeholders or objections are identified in the available record.