BILL NUMBER: S4440
SPONSOR: STEC
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to requiring the
state pay real property taxes on the assessed value of the Moriah shock
incarceration correctional facility
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To provide the Town of Moriah and the County of Essex as well as school
and other special taxing districts with full market assessed tax reven-
ues to relieve the economic burden resulting from displaced state work-
ers and subsequent economic activity associated with a fully functioning
State Prison
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Provides that lands owned by the state which were previously
used as Moriah Shock incarceration correctional facility pay full prop-
erty taxes to local taxing districts upon closure, and until their sale
or re-use by the state.
Section 2. Provides effective date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York State expanded the capacity of its correctional system state-
wide and in doing so, created a tangible economic spinoff associated
with the arrival of personnel necessary to manage operations. Often,
Correctional Officers, civilian staff, doctors, administrators, and the
like would become members of the surrounding community. Schools, busi-
nesses, and municipal services expanded to accommodate the needs and
lifestyle of these individuals and as such, the economy and tax base
expanded with it.
The Moriah community has been left with both a significant economic and
social vacuum that has a devastating impact as the result of the closure
of Moriah Shock. This bill aims to require that New York State remain
beholden to its responsibility for its part in the social contract they
presented and subsequently entered into when approaching Moriah as a
host for housing our State's criminal offenders.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Click here to enter text. 2023-2024: S7412 referred to Local Govern-
ment; A7573 referred to Real Property Taxation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined for State, none to Local
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law.

Statutes affected:
S4440: 532 real property tax law