Summary of Bill S 1469

Bill Overview

• Bill Number: S 1469
• Title: Excludes the value of state forest preserve lands in the Adirondack and Catskill parks from use in the determination of state aid to school districts
• Status: Referred to Education
• Introduced: January 10, 2025
• Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of Bill S 1469 is to amend the criteria used for determining state aid allocations to school districts in New York. Specifically, the bill seeks to exclude the value of state forest preserve lands located within the Adirondack and Catskill parks from the calculations that influence state aid funding for local school districts.

Key Provisions

• Exclusion of Land Value: The bill stipulates that the assessed value of state-owned forest preserve lands in the Adirondack and Catskill regions will not be factored into the financial assessments used to determine state aid for school districts.
• Impact on Funding Calculations: By removing these lands from the valuation process, the bill aims to potentially increase state aid for school districts that might otherwise be disadvantaged by the inclusion of these non-taxable lands in their financial assessments.

Affected Parties

• School Districts: The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be school districts located in or near the Adirondack and Catskill parks. These districts may receive increased state aid as a result of the exclusion of forest preserve land value.
• State Government: The bill may affect how the state government calculates and allocates funding to various school districts, particularly those with significant amounts of state-owned land.

Procedural Aspects

• Legislative Action: As of January 10, 2025, the bill has been referred to the Education Committee for further consideration. This referral is a standard procedure in the legislative process, indicating that the bill will undergo review and discussion by committee members.

Related Legislation

Bill S 1469 is part of a series of related bills from prior sessions, including:
- S 822
- S 997
- S 7221
- S 388
- S 2526
- S 5342
- S 2031

These related bills may provide context or background on previous legislative efforts concerning state aid calculations and the treatment of state-owned lands.

Conclusion

Bill S 1469 aims to refine the criteria for state aid distribution to school districts by excluding the value of certain state lands. This legislative change could lead to increased funding for affected school districts, thereby enhancing educational resources and opportunities in those areas. The bill is currently under review by the Education Committee, and its progress will be monitored as it moves through the legislative process.