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NY S00277
Bill
Status
Passed
10/16/2025
Primary Sponsor
James Skoufis
Click for details
AI Summary
- Authorizes the town of Chester, Orange County, to establish a community preservation fund through local law to acquire and preserve open space, farmland, parks, wetlands, historic places, wildlife habitat, and other natural areas
- Permits the town to impose a real estate transfer tax of up to 0.75% on property conveyances, subject to mandatory voter referendum, with all revenues deposited into the community preservation fund
- Requires creation of a 5-7 member advisory board with demonstrated conservation experience (including at least one active farmer) to review and recommend property acquisitions
- Mandates adoption of a community preservation project plan that prioritizes farmland preservation as the highest priority and must be updated at least every five years
- Exempts from the transfer tax: government conveyances, gifts, properties with development restrictions or conservation easements, agricultural land with 8+ year development restrictions, and transfers to conservation nonprofits; provides $100,000 exemption for improved property and $50,000 for unimproved property
- Tax provisions expire December 31, 2045
Legislative Description
Authorizes the town of Chester to establish community preservation funds; establishes a real estate transfer tax with revenues therefrom to be deposited in said community preservation fund.
Last Action
SIGNED CHAP.464
10/16/2025
Committee Referrals
Ways and Means6/11/2025
Rules6/11/2025
Local Government1/8/2025
Full Bill Text
No bill text available