Budget & Taxes

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3865: Authorizes an occupancy tax in the city of Auburn

This bill authorizes the city of Auburn to impose an occupancy tax of up to 5% on hotel, motel, and bed-and-breakfast rentals within the city. It directly affects hotels, motels, and similar accommodations (excluding government entities, non-profits, and permanent residents staying 90+ days), requiring owners to collect and remit the tax. Revenue from the tax must be deposited into Auburn's general fund for any lawful city purpose. The tax authority expires on December 31, 2028, and local laws implementing it cannot exceed three years per enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes 5% occupancy tax for Auburn city revenue, directing funds to general fund for city purposes, increasing local tax revenue and budget capacity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax State Budget

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 3, 2026

S 3034: Prohibits the legislature from transferring funds from the power authority of the state of New York into the general fund

S 3034 is a constitutional amendment proposal that would prevent New York's legislature from moving funds generated by the state-owned power company (the New York Power Authority, or NYPA) into the general state budget. This bill directly affects the state legislature's budgeting process by prohibiting the diversion of NYPA's revenue streams - such as electricity sales income - into other state programs or general funding. The key provision is a constitutional change requiring that NYPA's revenues remain separate from the general fund, ensuring they are used only for the power authority's intended purposes. This is a procedural bill focused on fiscal accountability, not a policy change to public services or regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents diversion of NYPA revenue from dedicated power authority funding into general budget, promoting fiscal responsibility by protecting dedicated revenue streams from legislative reallocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability State Budget

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3064: Relates to imposing a specific tax on all corporate stock buybacks of issued shares

This bill imposes a new 0.5% tax on corporations when they repurchase their own issued shares (stock buybacks). It directly affects corporations that buy back shares, taxing the full value paid for those shares. The key provision replaces previous per-share tax rates with this flat 0.5% rate on the transaction value, effective immediately upon enactment. The tax applies to all buybacks made after June 1905 (as stated in the bill text), with no exemption for shares canceled within one year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new 0.5% tax on corporate stock buybacks, increasing government revenue through targeted taxation of corporate activity, aligning with fiscal responsibility and revenue generation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4032: Exempts certain dry cleaning equipment or machinery certified by the department of environmental conservation from sales and use taxes

Bill S 4032 exempts dry cleaning businesses from paying sales and use taxes on equipment certified by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for pollution prevention or control. Specifically, it applies to machinery that prevents pollution from dry cleaning operations and does not use EPA-classified hazardous air pollutants, qualifying for DEC air facility registration exemption. The exemption covers equipment used in dry cleaning plants for controlling contaminants, including replacements or upgrades to existing pollution-control systems. This change takes effect at the start of the next sales tax quarter following the bill’s enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill exempts certified dry cleaning equipment from sales/use taxes, providing targeted tax relief for businesses meeting environmental standards.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempts tax on DEC-certified pollution-control dry cleaning equipment, incentivizing reduced hazardous emissions and aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Conservation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5365: Relates to the amount of the allowable levy growth factor and the percentage of votes needed to override the tax levy limit

This bill modifies tax levy rules for local governments and school districts. It establishes a minimum annual tax levy growth rate of 2% (or the inflation rate, whichever is higher) and reduces the voter approval threshold for overriding the tax levy cap from 60% to a simple majority (over 50%). These changes apply to all local governments and school districts seeking to exceed the statutory tax levy limit. The bill amends sections of the General Municipal Law and Education Law to implement these provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesLowers voter threshold for tax levy overrides and sets minimum growth rate, enabling more local tax revenue for public services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationLowers voter threshold for school tax overrides (60%→50%+), enabling easier funding increases for K-12 districts by reducing barriers to exceed tax levy limits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4224: Prohibits the percentage of disbursements from the state lottery fund that goes towards education aid from falling below 45.15%

This bill ensures that at least 45.15% of funds disbursed from the state lottery fund must support education aid, preventing any reduction below this threshold. It directly affects how the state allocates lottery revenue, requiring all disbursements to education aid (including school districts and state-supported schools) to maintain this minimum percentage. The key mechanism is an amendment to the state finance law, mandating that the total percentage of lottery funds going to education aid cannot fall below 45.15%. This is a concrete policy change to guarantee stable funding for education from the lottery.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates minimum 45.15% lottery fund allocation to education aid, protecting existing public education funding from reductions per state finance law.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates minimum 45.15% lottery funds for education aid, preventing funding cuts and protecting current education funding levels.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7214: Relates to creating a college preparation expense tax credit

Creates a college preparation expense tax credit for up to three years per child/individual for up to $500 per year for qualified college preparation expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing liability for college prep expenses, providing direct tax relief per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tax credit for college preparation expenses, reducing costs for students and expanding access to higher education preparation. Directly supports educational access as defined in topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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signed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 683: Establishes a real property tax exemption for surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty

This bill creates a 50% property tax exemption on the primary residence of surviving spouses whose police officer spouse died while performing duty. It directly affects surviving spouses of officers killed in the line of duty, providing immediate tax relief on their home. The exemption applies to the assessed value of the primary residence, with local governments allowed to reduce the percentage. The law requires local authorities to adopt specific resolutions to implement the exemption and establishes documentation standards through the state's criminal justice and tax services divisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides 50% property tax exemption for surviving spouses, reducing tax burden for a specific group, aligning with tax relief support indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 691: NY local food and products sourcing tax credit

This bill creates a tax credit for New York businesses that source a significant portion of their products locally. Businesses with taxable sales in New York can claim a credit (ranging from $1,500 to $25,000) based on the percentage of their net sales from locally produced food or goods - defined as products grown, raised, or made within New York by eligible producers (excluding wholesalers/distributors). To claim the credit, businesses must submit a report with their tax return detailing the producer's name, location, purchase amounts, and units bought. The credit cannot be carried forward to future tax years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing business tax liability for local sourcing, aligning with tax relief and economic incentive policies under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 323: Imposes a tax related to executive compensation

Requires that certain companies pay an annual tax if the chief executive receives compensation 100 to 250 times greater than the median pay of all their employees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes tax on companies with CEO pay 100-250x median employee pay, closing a compensation loophole to promote fiscal responsibility and equitable tax structure.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill taxes companies with CEO pay 100-250x median employee pay, directly addressing wage disparity and promoting pay equity in employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax

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