Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson (D-Rochester/Chili/Henrietta) announced Governor Cuomo signed into law a bill he sponsored that would continue veterans’ property tax exemptions for their primary home if they move to another home within the same county (Chapter 538 of 2015).

“I am proud to support and protect the rights of veterans who have made incredible sacrifices to protect our freedoms,” said Assemblymember Bronson. “This bill now guarantee that veterans continue to receive the recognition they deserve.”

Currently, veterans or their surviving spouses are given a property tax exemption on their primary home. However, under the current law, they lose that exemption if they relocate outside of their city, town or village.

Assemblymember Bronson’s legislation would expand the law to ensure veterans can keep the exemption as long as their new home is within the same county, giving much-needed tax relief to many of the 900,000 veterans living in New York State who often struggle with the cost of housing. The bill is timely as some homeowners face renewal of the STAR exemption.

The passage of this legislation furthers Assemblymember Bronson’s efforts to support veterans: Bronson helped pass the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act, which sets aside state contracts for businesses owned by service-disabled veterans, and he has also helped create tax credits for businesses that hire unemployed veterans.

“Many of the men and women returning from duty are battling economic hardships as they transition back into their communities. I join my colleagues and Governor Cuomo in thanking our soldiers for all that they’ve done for us by supporting our veterans and their families,” Assemblymember Bronson said.