New York Senate Bill S09606

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/27/26
• Refer: 3/27/26

Caption

Relates to appropriations to the Barker central school district following the cessation of operations of an electric generating facility located within such district; permits awards for a period of ten years for the loss of tax revenue.

Summary

This bill amends a 2015 state appropriation program that provides mitigation funding to local governments and school districts when an electric generating facility closes and the closure causes a significant loss of property tax or PILOT revenue. Under the existing program, eligible local government entities can receive annual assistance from the Urban Development Corporation, subject to available funding and a statewide cap of $140 million, for up to seven years after the facility ceases operations. The bill keeps the same eligibility framework, application and confirmation process, and declining annual award schedule tied to the amount of lost revenue. The bill creates a special rule for the Barker Central School District in Niagara County. If Barker is otherwise eligible under the program, it would be allowed to receive assistance for up to ten years instead of seven. For years eight through ten, the maximum award would be limited to 20 percent of the district’s loss of revenue, and all other provisions of the mitigation program would continue to apply. The act would take effect immediately.

Impact

The bill would amend state law governing the electric generation facility cessation mitigation fund by carving out a district-specific extension for Barker Central School District. It would not change the overall statewide funding cap, eligibility criteria, or administration of the program, but it would authorize a longer payment period for one school district affected by the closure of an electric generating facility. The practical effect is to extend state financial support for Barker’s lost tax base beyond the standard seven-year period, shifting additional UDC assistance to that district if funding is available and eligibility is confirmed.

Sentiment

The bill text and context suggest a supportive, targeted relief measure rather than a controversial statewide policy change. No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no documented debate or recorded opposition in the supplied materials. The measure appears designed to address a specific local fiscal hardship caused by a plant closure, which typically draws favorable sentiment from affected local officials and school district stakeholders.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the bill’s special treatment of Barker Central School District, since it creates a district-specific exception to a generally applicable seven-year assistance limit. Supporters would likely view the extension as necessary to offset prolonged revenue losses from the generating facility closure, while critics could question whether one district should receive preferential treatment or whether the state should extend aid beyond the standard program terms. Another possible issue is the reliance on available funding within a capped statewide program, which may raise concerns about competition among eligible local governments and school districts for limited assistance.