Budget & Taxes

passed both · New York · Senate May 20, 2026

S 7335: Relates to enhanced eligibility requirements of STAR

This bill amends New York's STAR program to adjust how senior citizens' income is calculated for property tax exemption eligibility. It allows seniors who experience income decreases due to retirement or the death of a spouse to use their next year's income tax return (instead of the current year's) to determine eligibility for the enhanced exemption. To qualify, seniors must file their next year's tax return or provide income documentation to the local assessor by the tax deadline. This change directly affects seniors facing reduced income from retirement or bereavement, ensuring they maintain eligibility during the transition period.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief for seniors by allowing lower future income to qualify for property tax exemption, directly supporting tax relief for middle/lower income seniors.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 8266: Relates to providing transportation after four o'clock

This bill amends education law to establish a funding formula for transportation aid to public school districts. It sets annual spending limits for transportation aid starting from the 2013-2014 school year, with specific dollar amounts that increase over time. The bill defines a "base amount" based on 2012-2013 transportation costs and requires school districts to maintain annual spending at least equal to that base year, including cost increases per student. After the 2025-2026 school year, funding limits adjust annually using a formula tied to the consumer price index. The bill directly affects school districts receiving transportation aid under this specific funding mechanism.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes funding formula for school transportation aid with annual spending limits, ensuring consistent budget allocation for education services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes transportation funding formula with annual increases, requiring districts to maintain base-year spending, advancing school access and operational support.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes mandatory annual transportation funding formula for school districts, requiring maintenance of base-year spending levels with cost increases per student.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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signed · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 10520: Provides for emergency appropriation for the period April 1, 2026 through May 20, 2026

This bill provides emergency funding to the state government to cover essential expenses from April 1, 2026, through May 20, 2026, until the regular annual budget is approved. It authorizes payments for state employee salaries, including those for the governor and legislative staff, as well as funds for ongoing operations and contracts approved in the previous fiscal year. The legislation allocates specific sums for personal services, non-personal service liabilities, and various contracts and grants to ensure state departments can continue their work during this interim period. By amending existing appropriation laws, the bill ensures that public officers and agencies have the necessary financial resources to operate without interruption during the gap between fiscal years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides emergency funding for essential state operations and salaries, directly advancing fiscal management and government spending.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

in committee · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 6733: Imposes a fee for certain convictions to benefit animal shelters and establishes the animal offenses assistance fund

This bill adds a $5 fee to the fines for certain convictions (felonies, misdemeanors, and violations) in New York State. The fee is collected at sentencing and deposited into the new "animal offenses assistance fund." Funds from this account will be distributed by the Agriculture Department to public or nonprofit animal shelters that care for animals seized due to abuse or neglect under state law. The money specifically covers shelter costs like food, veterinary care, and housing for these animals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes $5 fee on convictions, directs funds to animal shelters via new revenue stream, supporting public service funding within budget/tax framework.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 182: Increases the federal poverty level requirement for recipients where it concerns the one-time disregard of earned income

This bill increases the income threshold for a temporary public assistance benefit. It changes the rule so that individuals who recently started working can disregard all their earned income for up to six months (after job entry) if their total income is under 400% of the federal poverty level - up from the current 200% limit. This directly affects low-income working individuals receiving public assistance who are transitioning from unemployment to employment. The policy change aims to provide a longer financial buffer during early employment while maintaining eligibility for benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands public assistance eligibility by raising income threshold for earned income disregard, providing tax relief to low-income workers transitioning to employment.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases income threshold for public assistance during job transition, preventing benefit loss for low-income workers entering employment.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 2470: Provides for a tax abatement for electric energy storage equipment

S 2470 provides a tax abatement for electric energy storage equipment placed in service between January 1, 2027, and January 1, 2029. It directly affects property owners or businesses installing qualifying energy storage systems during that window by offering a 10% tax break on eligible equipment costs, capped at $62,500 annually. The abatement is limited to the lesser of 10% of installation costs, the annual property tax bill, or the $62,500 cap. This policy aims to incentivize adoption of energy storage systems by reducing upfront financial barriers during a specific two-year period. The bill passed the Senate in May 2025 and is now in the Assembly for review.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax abatement (10% break) for energy storage equipment, incentivizing adoption through tax relief, aligning with 'support' indicators.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProvides tax incentives for energy storage equipment, directly promoting renewable energy infrastructure adoption and reducing costs for businesses installing qualifying systems.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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signed · New York · Assembly May 14, 2026

A 11365: Provides for emergency appropriation for the period April 1, 2026 through May 18, 2026

This bill provides emergency funding to state government agencies for a short period from April 1 to May 18, 2026, ensuring operations continue while the regular annual budget is finalized. The legislation authorizes approximately $2.1 billion to pay state employees and covers an additional $30 million for various contracts, grants, and capital project liabilities. These funds are designated for all state departments and agencies, including the executive branch and the legislature, to cover payroll and necessary operational expenses. The bill acts as a temporary financial bridge until the governor submits and the legislature enacts the full appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides emergency funding to ensure state government operations and employee pay continue, directly advancing fiscal management and budget stability.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

in committee · New York · Senate May 14, 2026

S 9959: Relates to tax abatements for building owners in a city having a population of one million or more who complete exterior repairs

This bill, known as the RESTORE Act, offers property tax breaks to building owners in New York City who finish required exterior repairs and remove temporary sidewalk sheds within a specific timeframe. To qualify, owners must complete the work and clear the sidewalks within twelve months of starting, with the tax reduction amount decreasing gradually if they take longer than three months. Conversely, if repairs and shed removal are not finished within eighteen months, the building owner faces a property tax penalty that increases by two percent for each additional month of delay. The legislation also establishes a formal process for owners to apply for the tax relief or appeal penalties if they believe delays were caused by factors beyond their control.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax abatements to building owners, directly reducing tax burdens and advancing fiscal relief for property owners.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill incentivizes exterior repairs and sidewalk clearance, improving building safety and habitability, which supports housing quality and tenant protections.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · New York · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4033: Relates to the disposition of certain fines and penalties

This bill redirects fines and penalties from environmental conservation violations (such as violations of fishing rules or pollution regulations) into a dedicated "conservation enforcement account" within the state conservation fund, rather than the general state fund. It specifies that all fines collected under Titles 19, 21, and 27 of the environmental conservation law, plus related surcharges, must be deposited into this account. The funds are exclusively for enforcing environmental laws, including paying for enforcement staff, scientists, and legal support. This ensures these penalties directly support conservation enforcement efforts without replacing existing funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects environmental fines to dedicated conservation enforcement account, ensuring funds directly support environmental programs rather than general budget, promoting fiscal responsibility.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedirects environmental violation fines to dedicated conservation enforcement fund, ensuring resources directly support environmental law enforcement per bill's explicit language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · New York · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4272: Provides for direct-pay tax abatement credits for solar electric generating systems and electric energy storage systems in connection with eligible buildings

Provides for direct-pay tax abatement credits for solar electric generating systems and electric energy storage systems in connection with eligible buildings; provides such eligible properties shall include: 501(c)(3) corporations, associations, organizations or trusts and income-restricted affordable housing properties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides direct tax abatement credits for solar/energy systems on affordable housing and nonprofits, reducing tax burden for eligible entities.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProvides tax credits for solar and storage systems, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and clean energy infrastructure investment.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly includes income-restricted affordable housing properties in tax credit eligibility, providing financial support for energy systems on these properties.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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