NY A06336

Establishes a procedure for creating new counties in New York, requiring territory to have at least 100,000 inhabitants and 100 square miles, be contiguous, and not divide existing cities, towns, or villages.

Requires a feasibility study including proposed operating and capital budgets, asset and liability division, and property tax impact over five years before a petition can be filed.

Petition must be signed by at least 10 percent of votes cast for governor in the proposed county territory in the last gubernatorial election and filed with the state board of elections.

State comptroller must review financial feasibility and make a determination within 60 days, examining budget adequacy and whether creation serves the public interest without undue burden on either the new or remaining county.

Referendum must be held at the next general election occurring at least 60 days after comptroller approval, with majority vote creating the new county effective January 1 following the next general election at which county officers are elected.

New county assumes proportional debt and liabilities based on tax contribution to pre-existing county, with employee transfers retaining civil service status; governing boards may agree to alternative debt arrangements.