Housing

This bill increases the occupancy tax in St. Lawrence County from three percent to five percent. It directly affects guests staying at hotels, motels, apartment hotels, and boarding houses within the county by raising the fee charged on their room rentals. The law allows the county to collect this additional tax on the per diem rental rate for each room, regardless of whether the stay is daily or longer. The change takes effect immediately upon passage.

Relates to treatment of gains from qualified opportunity zones in calculating taxable income; removes exclusion of gains on property in qualified opportunity zones in calculation of income.

Relates to the discharge of residents of a community residence; provides that nothing shall be deemed construed as creating a relationship of landlord and tenant between an operator of a community residence and a resident; defines community residence.

This bill (S 8311, now Chapter 438) requires the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to maintain and clearly define policies allowing family members or eligible individuals to take over a public housing lease when the current tenant permanently moves out or dies. Key provisions mandate NYCHA to establish written rules covering eligibility, relocation needs, payment during the transition, and the right to appeal denied succession requests, all while complying with federal, state, and local laws. The law also requires NYCHA to provide 30 days' written notice and accept public comments before changing these policies. This policy change directly affects current NYCHA tenants facing loss of a household member and ensures consistent, transparent succession processes. The bill was signed into law on October 16, 2025.