Relates to benefits for the surviving spouses of firefighters killed in the line of duty
This bill creates a real property tax exemption for the primary residences of surviving spouses of firefighters who died in the line of duty. It allows local governments and school districts to automatically exempt up to 50% of the assessed value of these homes from taxation, though they retain the option to reduce this percentage if they choose. The law defines eligible firefighters broadly to include paid members of various fire departments and extends the benefit to properties held in trust or by cooperative apartment corporations, while excluding certain types of housing. Additionally, the bill requires the state to develop and publish a list of documents that prove eligibility for this tax relief.
Bill status
passed both
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2026
Committee Review
Jun 2026
Assembly Passage
Jun 2026
Senate Passage
Jun 2026
Governor
Introduced Apr 8, 2026
Last action Jun 2, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
A10885A
→
A10885B
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to broaden the definition of who qualifies as a 'firefighter' for tax exemption purposes and to update the retirement system name. The scope of eligibility was expanded to include officers and members of organized fire companies, as well as paid firefighters at county airports and aviation departments, in addition to city and state department employees. The reference to the 'New York state police and fire retirement system' was updated to the 'New York state and local retirement system' to reflect current administrative structures.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include a wider range of fire service personnel, specifically adding organized fire company members and county airport/aviation department firefighters to the list of eligible individuals.
DEFINITION
The definition of 'firefighter' was updated to include officers and members of organized fire companies and paid firefighters from county airports or aviation departments.
The retirement system name was changed from 'New York state police and fire retirement system' to 'New York state and local retirement system'.
ELIGIBILITY
New categories of firefighters were added to the list of individuals eligible for real property tax exemptions upon death in the line of duty.
Floor votes · Senate Jun 2, 2026 · Assembly Jun 1, 2026
How they voted
61–0
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 63
Jun 2, 2026
D
Democratic41
95% Yea
R
Republican22
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
17
Key actions
6
Committee
4
Amendments
4
Jun 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
Jun 1, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO RULES
upper
Jun 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED ASSEMBLY
lower
Jun 1, 2026
Committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES
lower
May 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 10885B
lower
May 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO WAYS AND MEANS
lower
May 12, 2026
Committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
lower
May 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 10885A
lower
May 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO REAL PROPERTY TAXATION
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO REAL PROPERTY TAXATION
lower
1 primary · 7 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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