BILL NUMBER: S2321
SPONSOR: FAHY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to authorizing
the city of Albany to add unpaid housing code violation penalties, costs
and fines to such city's annual tax levy
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends subsection (d) of section 606 of the tax law. The law
is amended to expand the income eligibility for the New York Earned
Income Tax Credit.
Section 2 adds new section 679 to the tax law. This section provides for
the advance payment of the earned income credit.
Section 3 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Under the Albany Renter's bill of rights, tenants have the right to live
in housing that is free from code violations and that meets basic stand-
ards of living. Housing stock that is not kept up to code creates neigh-
borhood blight, which research has shown contributes to health issues
and public safety risks. Currently, the code enforcement process
dictates that the City take legal action against landlords who fail to
fix code violations within 35 days of a complaint. By authorizing the
City to include unpaid code violations in the annual tax levy on the
property, this legislation would increase the enforcement capability of
the City and would ease the burden on housing courts.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A10738 2019-20
A3128 2021-22
A3957 2023-24
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.