BILL NUMBER: S7390
SPONSOR: WALCZYK
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend part N of chapter 59 of the laws of 2023 amending the
real property tax law and the state administrative procedure act relat-
ing to clarifying the solar or wind energy system appraisal model, in
relation to excluding certain solar or wind energy projects in the coun-
ty of Lewis from certain appraisal models and discount rates
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would amend the last year's budget to ensure that existing
payment in lieu of tax agreements (PILOTS) on renewable energy projects
are exempt from changes in determining their value.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends section 3 of part N of chapter 59 of the laws of 2023
by adding a new subsection clarifying that no existing renewable energy
projects in Lewis County are to be subject to Part N of the Revenue
budget bill of 2023.
Section 2: Sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Lewis County has numerous renewable energy projects. With these develop-
ments come a great deal of PILOT money for municipalities. In last
year's budget, the way these are valued changed. For almost a year,
there has been no clarification as to whether Part N applies to existing
projects or only new ones. If these changes do apply to existing
projects, the results would be devastating. Many towns in Lewis County
will have financial trouble, as the new valuation process cuts how much
these projects are worth. Some projects would see a 40% decline in
value, which hurts town budgets that depend on this consistent stream of
PILOT money. This bill clarifies that existing projects in Lewis County
are not subject to valuation changes found under Part N of last year.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Potential revenue increase for local municipalities if Part N does in
fact apply to all projects in New York.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This bill shall take effect immediately.