BILL NUMBER: S9050
SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to real property
tax exemptions for veterans
 
PURPOSE:
To provide a real property tax exemption to veterans who have served on
submarines or on classified missions during a period of war.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 provides for a 10 percent property tax abatement for veterans
who have served on classified missions or on a submarine during a period
of war.
Section 2 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill would expand the 10 percent real property tax abatement
currently available to veterans who have served in a combat zone to also
include veterans who have served on classified missions or a submarine
during a period of war. Currently, a veteran must provide proof of
location to show they were in a conflict zone in order to qualify for
the tax benefit. However, it is often impossible for veterans of classi-
fied missions or those stationed on submarines to do this as their
locations are almost always restricted or because of the difficulty of
providing records showing where a submarine was located while deployed.
It is especially difficult for these veterans to prove their eligibility
for this tax abatement because current law requires proof that one has
been in a combat zone in the form of a ribbon or medal granted for such
service, which one may not have received for the reasons cited above.
New York State must ensure that all veterans in the state receive the
benefits they are entitled to and this bill will ensure that many veter-
ans who have been left out will now receive the tax benefit they
deserve.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.