S2081-2013 Actions

• Jan 10, 2013: REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT

S2081-2013 Memo

BILL NUMBER:S2081

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the real property tax law, in relation
to excluding the value of trees for the purposes of assessment

PURPOSE:  The purpose of this legislation is to exclude standing
timber on privately owned forestland from the definition of real
property for purposes of real property tax assessment.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 305 of the real property tax law is amended by adding a new
subdivision 4 which removes standing timber on privately owned
forest-land from the definition of real property for purposes of real
property tax assessment.

JUSTIFICATION:  This legislation would exclude standing timber on
privately owned forestland from the definition of real property for
purposes of real property tax assessment. The escalating costs of
municipal services have placed tremendous pressure on the real
property tax system.  Local governments have improved their
information management systems and looked for ways to increase their
tax base. As assessors look harder at ways to increase value, some are
beginning to change their assessment on forestlands. Those applying
this change note that the current definition of real property includes
the value of standing timber in the assessment of forestlands. New
assessments that attempt to reflect current timber values can produce
a steep tax increase on these properties. The practical results are
likely to be over harvesting, liquidation cuttings or conversion to
development. At the very least, this policy is an incentive for
landowners to practice poor forest management. Changing the definition
of real property to exclude standing timber on private forestland will
simplify the assessment process, reduce inequities and encourage
landowners to manage their forest resources in a more sustainable
manner.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:  2011,2012: S.788 Referred to Local Government
2009,2010: S.2432 Referred to Local Government 2007,2008: S.2412
Referred to Local Government 2006: S.6818/A.6638 Referred to Local
Government

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: To be determined.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Effective immediately.

S2081-2013 Text

 S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 
 
                                         2081
 2013-2014 Regular Sessions
 I N  SENATE
 January 10, 2013
 
 Introduced by Sens. YOUNG, SEWARD -- read twice and ordered printed, and
 when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government
 AN  ACT to amend the real property tax law, in relation to excluding the
 value of trees for the purposes of assessment
 THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

Section  1. 

Section  305  of  the real property tax law is amended by
 adding a new subdivision 4 to read as follows:

 4. FOR PURPOSES OF REAL PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT, THE  VALUE  OF  TREES
 SHALL BE EXCLUDED FOR THE PURPOSES OF ASSESSMENT.
 

S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD06507-01-3

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