NY A02819

Establishes the Hospitality Gift Fund for the Homeless in the state treasury, administered jointly by the Comptroller and Commissioner of Taxation and Finance, funded by voluntary hotel unit fees and other donations.

Imposes a voluntary $2 per unit per day fee on hotel occupancies, effective October 1, 2013, with exemptions for permanent residents, low-cost units (under $2/day), unregistered operators, and occupants who do not authorize payment in writing.

Requires that at least 85 percent of appropriated funds be allocated through grants and contracts to not-for-profit tax-exempt entities providing services to homeless individuals and those at risk of homelessness.

Mandates annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature beginning February 1, 2015, detailing amounts collected, eligible applicants selected, number of persons served, services provided, and estimated state and local savings.

Specifies that awarded funds must supplement, not replace, other federal, state, or local funding, and permits the Comptroller to invest donations with income returned to the fund.