Notice of Public Hearing - Real Property Tax Assessment Practices

NYS Seal

ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON REAL PROPERTY TAXATION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

*RESCHEDULED FROM FEBRUARY 6, 2007*

SUBJECT:	Real Property Tax Assessment Practices

PURPOSE:	To examine various legislative proposals and explore new avenues to bring equity and continuity to the assessment process

Albany
Tuesday
April 17, 2007
9:30 am
Legislative Office Building - 2nd Floor
Roosevelt Hearing Room C

The assessed value of property is a fundamental factor in determining a property owner's real property tax obligation. As property taxes continue to skyrocket, there has been a wealth of discussion on the perceived underlying inequities in the assessment process, especially regarding the lack of continuity within taxing jurisdictions (e.g. school districts that cross town/county lines) and the practice by some taxing jurisdictions to continue to use age-old property values, some as far back as the 1960s. This hearing will provide a forum by which the public, local officials and scholars can discuss the current assessment process as well as have an open dialogue on what is needed to address assessment inequities.

In addition, the hearing gives the public a forum in which to comment on Assembly Bill A. 1573. This legislative proposal if enacted would authorize local taxing jurisdictions to grant a qualified non-profit entity a section 420-a/b exemption from the date of acquisition when the transfer of ownership to the non-profit entity is after the filing deadline.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to ten minutes duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible. In the absence of a request, witnesses will be scheduled in the order in which reply forms are postmarked.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

Sandy Galef
Member of Assembly
Chair
Committee on Real Property Taxation

SELECTED LEGISLATION TO WHICH WITNESSES MAY DIRECT THEIR TESTIMONY:

The following is a list of 2007 legislative proposals that would amend the assessment process in New York State. Comments in support or opposition and/or suggestions to enhance these proposals as well as other viable suggestions to enhance the assessment process are encouraged and welcomed.

A. 127 - Requiring localities to assess every 10 years or S. 1054 requiring localities to assess every three years

A. 1572 - Constitutional Amendment requiring assessment continuity

A. 1573 - Authorizes assessors to grant certain retroactive non-profit exemptions under certain conditions

A. 1574 - Assessments of Condominiums and Cooperatives

A. 3005 - Creates a "Blue Ribbon Commission" which includes provisions to review assessment practices as well as real property taxation in general

PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on the Real Property Tax Assessment Practices and Local Authorization of Retroactive 420-a/b Exemptions are requested to complete this reply form by April 13, 2007 and mail it to: Karen Smeaton Analyst Real Property Taxation Committee Floor 23 - Alfred E. Smith Office Building 80 South Swan Street Albany, New York 12248 Phone: (518) 455-4311 Fax: (518) 455-7095

	I plan to attend the following public hearing on Real Property Tax Assessment Practices and Local Authorization of Retroactive 420-a/b Exemptions to be conducted by the Assembly Committee on Real Property Taxation on April 17, 2007.

	I plan to make a public statement at the hearing. My statement will be limited to ten minutes, and I will answer any questions which may arise. I will provide 10 copies of my prepared statement.

	I will address my remarks to the following subjects:

	I do not plan to attend the above hearing.

	I would like to be added to the Committee mailing list for notices and reports.

	I would like to be removed from the Committee mailing list.

	I will require assistance and/or handicapped accessibility information. Please specify the type of assistance required:



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