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 8918: Establishes the build up New York pilot program and the mass timber for affordable housing program to encourage the use of mass timber in affordable housing retrofits and additions

Establishes the build up New York pilot program to provide grants to eligible municipalities that construct new accessory dwelling unit housing projects built on top of existing buildings that utilize mass timber and serve certain households; establishes the mass timber for affordable housing program to provide tax credits for eligible taxpayers who use mass timber in certain new construction or major retrofits of existing buildings that primarily serve households up to one hundred fifty percent of the area median income; establishes tax credits for mass timber production.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credits for mass timber construction in affordable housing, directly incentivizing development through fiscal policy.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates grant/tax credit programs funding mass timber affordable housing retrofits and additions for households up to 150% AMI, directly advancing affordable housing development.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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in committee · New York · Senate May 15, 2026

S 2320: Changes the amount of the exemption permitted for capital improvements to residential buildings

Changes the amount of the exemption permitted for capital improvements to residential buildings to $200,000 where a local law or resolution is adopted on or after January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases property tax exemption for residential capital improvements, providing tax relief to homeowners by reducing taxable value of renovations.90% 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

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 13, 2026

S 5662: Relates to authorizing a reduction of taxes pursuant to shelter rent

Relates to authorizing a reduction of taxes pursuant to shelter rent; provides that upon consent of the local legislative body in a city with a population of one million or more such taxes may be reduced to five per centum or less, including a full reduction of the annual shelter rent or carrying charges of a project.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly authorizes tax reduction on shelter rent projects in NYC, providing direct tax relief which alignates with supporting fiscal responsibility and tax relief policies.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill reduces taxes on housing projects in NYC, lowering costs for affordable housing development and tenant rent, directly advancing housing affordability.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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