ALBANY – Governor Hochul has signed legislation allowing local governments to adopt a local law to exempt up to ten percent of the assessed value of a primary home for volunteers who have been members of a volunteer fire department or ambulance service for at least two years.
The bill was sponsored by Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick and Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski, both of whom represent Rockland County in Albany.
“This is a big win that will be celebrated by volunteer first responders especially when they are able to enjoy the savings on their property tax bill,” said Reichlin-Melnick. “Volunteer first responders have served Rockland for more than a century and a half, and we must do everything we can to support those who serve today and provide tools to ensure the sustainability of volunteer companies for the future.”
Assemblyman Zebrowski noted that local governments should adopt the exemption as a way for local volunteer fire and ambulance companies to recruit new members and retain their current volunteers. “It is imperative that we work to ensure that our volunteer fire departments and ambulance corps are able to effectively retain and recruit members. This law will go a long way toward ensuring that.”
