New NYS Laws Taking Effect In 2008 – FingerLakes1.com Archive

New York State Senator Michael F. Nozzolio today announced two newlaws will take effect on January 1st that will provide additional propertytax relief for New York families and a consumer bill of rights for airlinepassengers.“My number one priority in the New York State Senate continues to be tolower property taxes for New York’s overburdened homeowners,” said SenatorNozzolio. “On January 1st, a new law that I fought to enact will takeeffect, providing an additional $1.3 billion so that New York propertytaxpayers can receive an increased rebate check in the fall of 2008. Evenwith this important tax relief, high property taxes continue to be anenormous problem in New York State and I will continue to work for evengreater property tax relief.”The tax rebates to be sent to homeowners in the fall of 2008 will representthe second year of a three-year expansion of the property tax rebateprogram. This year, New York State provided approximately $1 billion inrebate checks to homeowners. In the fall of 2008, the program is expectedto provide rebates totaling $1.3 billion, with the taxpayers scheduled toreceive property tax relief worth $1.53 billion in 2009.In addition, a new law to effect on January 1, 2008 will include theAirline Passengers’ Bill of Rights. This new law will provide passengersstranded at New York airports with basic amenities to make their wait moretolerable. Under the new law, all airlines at New York airports will berequired to provide snacks and water, fresh air and power, and workingrestrooms for passengers on planes that leave the gate and sit on thetarmac for more than three hours.The measure would also create an Office of Airline Consumer Advocate withinthe New York State Consumer Protection Board to provide the public with aNew York State-based consumer advocate to help coordinate with appropriateairline industry officials, federal agencies and the Port Authority of NewYork and New Jersey in the event an incident occurs. The Airline ConsumerAdvocate would refer any violations of the new law to the New York StateAttorney General’s Office, who could seek a civil penalty of up to $1,000per passenger per violation by an airline.