Relates to the collection of monies owed for unpaid real property tax liens and water and sewer charges; establishes the homeowner protection fund; prohibits municipalities from conveying tax liens on real property to any private entity, trust, or third-party servicer; repeals certain provisions relating to foreclosure of real property tax liens.
Impact
The bill aims to transform the current framework governing property tax liens by banning any such sales to private trusts or third-party servicers. Municipalities, particularly those in New York City, would no longer be authorized to convey tax liens, and those existing authorities would be revoked. Furthermore, any future attempts to authorize such sales would require a two-thirds majority vote from the state legislature. This approach is expected to ensure that property tax collection is managed more equitably and responsibly, fostering a protective environment for vulnerable homeowners.
Summary
Bill A09116, known as the 'Community Wealth and Homeownership Protection Act', seeks to amend existing real property tax laws to eliminate the sale of property tax liens to private entities. This legislation has been introduced amid concerns over how such sales disproportionately affect low-income, elderly, and minority communities, resulting in loss of homes and the erosion of generational wealth. The bill clearly states the legislative intent to affirm the state's commitment to equitable taxation and community stability by protecting homeowners from these adverse impacts.
Contention
While the intent of A09116 is largely seen as a positive step toward protecting marginalized homeowners, there may be opposition from various stakeholders including municipal governments who rely on the sale of tax liens as a revenue-generating mechanism. Critics of the bill argue that eliminating these sales may limit municipalities' ability to recover unpaid taxes effectively, potentially leading to revenue shortfalls. Thus, there may be a need for an alternative strategy for tax collection that satisfies both the need for municipal revenue and the protection of homeowner rights.
Establishes provisions for real property tax lien transfers to assist homeowners facing foreclosure based on unpaid taxes; repeals existing provisions relating to acceptance of taxes from certain loan corporations.
Creates a vacant property classification for vacant and blighted properties; allows for cities with a population of one million or more to levy an additional real property tax on vacant and blighted properties with funds raised from such taxes being used to address homelessness.
Authorizes the city of Oleans assessor to accept an application for a real property tax exemption from OWH Properties, Inc. (Operation Warm Hearts) for all of the 2025-2026 school taxes and all of the 2025 general taxes.