BILL NUMBER: S6353
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to providing a
green infrastructure tax abatement for certain properties in a city of
one million or more
 
PURPOSE:
To provide a partial property tax abatement for residential properties
in New York City that undertake green infrastructure projects.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 adds a new Title 7 to Article 4 of the real property tax
law. The bill defines "green infrastructure projects" as projects under-
taken by residential property owners in New York City that will reduce
"flows to sewer systems or to surface waters" including rain gardens and
permeable pavements. The terms of the property tax exemption are set at
a maximum of thirty percent of eligible expenses up to $20,000 a year
distributed over four years. The bill details the criteria for applica-
tions for the abatement, terms for continuing the abatement and for
revocation and enforcement and administration.
Section 2 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In recent years, New York State has experienced federal disaster decla-
rations across every county, billions of dollars in storm damage and
post-flood repairs, and in some instances the loss of life. Climate
change has made flood risk no longer exclusive to those who live along
waterfronts or in the floodplain and extreme whether events are project-
ed to grow in frequency and intensity.
As well as the harm caused by flooding, New York City is facing the
challenge of "combined sewer overflow." In much of the City, stormwater
runoff is combined with wastewater and carried through the sewer system
to wastewater treatment plants, but when there are heavy rains sewage
travels directly to waterways and/or the result is also contaminated
water in streets, basements, or other below grade facilities. This poses
both public health risks as well as causing ecological harm.
By providing a partial property tax abatement for projects undertaken by
residential property owners in NYC, this legislation seeks to incentiv-
ize the adoption of mitigation measures for the harm caused by flooding
events and combined sewer overflow.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.