BILL NUMBER:  S3254

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the tax law, in relation to suspending imposition of
the compensating use tax on heating fuels for certain senior citizens

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :

To extend a tax exemption to Senior Citizens who do not qualify for
energy assistance programs, and whose income does not exceed the
qualifying income by five hundred dollars.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :

This bill amends Section 1115 of the tax law by adding a new
subdivision (kk). This bill exempts persons sixty-five years or older
who do not qualify for the energy assistance program established by
section ninety-seven of the social services law, whose income does not
exceed the qualifying income by five hundred dollars, from the tax on
retail sales imposed under section eleven hundred ten of this article,
during the months of December, January, and February.

 JUSTIFICATION :

In the Winter of 2013, energy costs increased by unprecedented
              

amounts. In some utility service areas heating bills went up by
several hundred percent, in others the increase was only in the
neighborhood of fifty to seventy percent over average billing. The
impact upon consumers was immediate and catastrophic.

This Winter heating costs are projected to rise by lesser amounts than
2013, but the Winter is forecast to be far colder and prices will
still increase over last year's prices, according to the Energy
Information Administration. The increase in prices will significantly
impact the poor and those on fixed incomes. This bill will extend tax
credit to those who are sixty-five and older and missed the qualifying
income levels by five hundred dollars or less. This will ensure that
the impact of the projected price increase is minimized, and it will
protect the elderly who are financially vulnerable from enduring
increased hardship this winter.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

2015-2016: S.1230A/A.2875A - Reported and Committed to Finance
2013-2014: S.622A - Reported and Committed to Finance
2011-2012: S.1082/A.10663 Died in Energy & Telecom
2009-2010: S.2547/A.5266 - Energy & Telecommunications/Ways & Means
2007-2008: S.2647/A.8257 - Referred to Aging
2006: S.6401/A.10449- Referred to Aging

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

There will be a minimal loss of revenue from qualifying seniors. Due
to the higher cost of fuel, the revenues will remain constant or
increase with the difference in revenue paid by non-qualifying
persons.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.