Glen Cove, New York – New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo signed Assemblymember Charles Lavine’s bill, A11216, that would ease Nassau County’s ability to access more than $100 million to refund the disputed portion of assessments to commercial property owners.

“Very pleased Governor Cuomo signed into law my bill modernizing property tax grievance procedures and protecting Nassau County taxpayers yesterday,” said Assemblymember Lavine. “Regret, however, that my bill that would have allowed Nassau County to borrow through the Nassau Interim Financing Authority to satisfy grievance awards which would have saved taxpayers at least 15 million dollars (as opposed to borrowing through the county which has a poorer credit rating than NIFA) was rejected by the Senate Majority."

This law provides for the administration of real property tax refunds, cancellations and credits in Nassau County on class four real properties. It creates the Nassau County Disputed Assessment Fund in order to allow Nassau to distribute tax refunds to commercial property owners. The bill lets Nassau charge commercial property owners an annual fee to cover the assessment refunds. Nassau County will be required to levy charges annually on class four real properties. The legislation would enable payments from commingled funds rather than only from an individual property owner’s deposit when filing a grievance.

The Disputed Assessment Fund has proven beneficial in Nassau County. The provisions of this bill would further its original purpose, and at the same time address some of the complexities and limitations in the legislation that have become apparent since its inception. This bill would replace the current system with a more comprehensive, flexible approach.

This legislation will have no fiscal impact on the State, and it will take effect immediately.