S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   7616
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             January 31, 2020
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  RAMOS  -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Cities
 
 AN ACT to amend the real property tax law, in relation to establishing a
   nonprofit organization rent increase exemption
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   Section 1. Article 4 of the real property tax law is amended by adding
 a new title 6 to read as follows:
                                  TITLE 6
               TAX ABATEMENT FOR LIMITING RENT INCREASES ON
     NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN A CITY OF ONE MILLION OR MORE PERSONS
 SECTION 499-AAAAA. DEFINITIONS.
         499-BBBBB. REAL PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT.
         499-CCCCC. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.
         499-DDDDD. APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF ABATEMENT.
         499-EEEEE. ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION.
         499-FFFFF. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; REVOCATION OF ABATEMENTS.
         499-GGGGG. TAX LIEN; INTEREST AND PENALTY.
         499-HHHHH. CONFIDENTIALITY.
   § 499-AAAAA. DEFINITIONS. WHEN USED IN THIS TITLE, THE FOLLOWING TERMS
 SHALL MEAN OR INCLUDE:
   1.  "ABATEMENT BASE". THE LESSER OF (A) TWO DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS OF
 THE TAX LIABILITY PER SQUARE FOOT OR (B) FIFTY PER  CENTUM  OF  THE  TAX
 LIABILITY PER SQUARE FOOT.
   2.  "ABATEMENT  ZONE".  ANY  AREA OF A CITY HAVING A POPULATION OF ONE
 MILLION OR MORE. ANY TAX LOT THAT IS PARTLY LOCATED INSIDE AN  ABATEMENT
 ZONE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE ENTIRELY LOCATED INSIDE SUCH ZONE.
   3.  "AGGREGATE  FLOOR AREA". THE SUM OF THE GROSS AREAS OF THE SEVERAL
 FLOORS OF A BUILDING, MEASURED FROM THE EXTERIOR FACES OF EXTERIOR WALLS
 OR FROM THE CENTER LINES OF WALLS SEPARATING TWO BUILDINGS.
   4. "APPLICANT". THE LANDLORD AND THE TENANT.
   5. "BENEFIT PERIOD". THE PERIOD COMMENCING WITH THE FIRST DAY  OF  THE
 MONTH  IMMEDIATELY  FOLLOWING THE RENT COMMENCEMENT DATE AND TERMINATING
 NO LATER THAN ONE HUNDRED TWENTY MONTHS THEREAFTER.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
              

                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD11882-02-9

 S. 7616                             2
 
   6. "BILLABLE ASSESSED VALUE". THE LESSER OF THE  TAXABLE  TRANSITIONAL
 OR  THE  TAXABLE  ACTUAL ASSESSED VALUE OF THE ELIGIBLE BUILDING AND THE
 LAND ON WHICH THE ELIGIBLE BUILDING IS LOCATED FOR THE  FISCAL  YEAR  IN
 WHICH THE BENEFIT PERIOD COMMENCES.
   7. "COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES". THE BUYING, SELLING OR OTHERWISE PROVIDING
 OF GOODS OR SERVICES BY A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.
   8.  "DEPARTMENT  OF  FINANCE".  THE  DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE OF ANY CITY
 HAVING A POPULATION OF ONE MILLION OR MORE.
   9. "ELIGIBLE BUILDING". WITH RESPECT TO THE ABATEMENT ZONE DEFINED  IN
 SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION, A NON-RESIDENTIAL OR MIXED-USE BUILDING
 WHICH  SHALL  NOT  INCLUDE  ANY BUILDING OWNED BY A GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
 EACH CONDOMINIUM UNIT IN A BUILDING THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF  THIS
 SUBDIVISION SHALL BE CONSIDERED A SEPARATE ELIGIBLE BUILDING.
   10. "ELIGIBILITY PERIOD". THE PERIOD COMMENCING APRIL FIRST, TWO THOU-
 SAND  TWENTY-ONE  AND TERMINATING MARCH THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND THIR-
 TY-ONE.
   11. "ELIGIBLE PREMISES". WITH RESPECT TO THE ABATEMENT ZONE DEFINED IN
 SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION, PREMISES LOCATED IN AN ELIGIBLE  BUILD-
 ING  THAT  (A)  ARE OCCUPIED OR USED BY A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AND (B)
 ARE OCCUPIED OR USED BY A TENANT UNDER A LEASE THAT MEETS THE  ELIGIBIL-
 ITY  REQUIREMENTS  OF  SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED  NINETY-NINE-CCCCC OF THIS
 TITLE.
   12. "FISCAL YEAR". THE FISCAL YEAR OF ANY CITY HAVING A POPULATION  OF
 ONE MILLION OR MORE.
   13.  "GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY". THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR ANY AGENCY
 OR INSTRUMENTALITY THEREOF, THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE CITY OF NEW YORK,
 ANY PUBLIC CORPORATION (INCLUDING A BODY CORPORATE AND  POLITIC  CREATED
 PURSUANT  TO  AGREEMENT OR COMPACT BETWEEN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND ANY
 OTHER STATE), PUBLIC BENEFIT  CORPORATION,  PUBLIC  AUTHORITY  OR  OTHER
 POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE.
   14.  "LANDLORD".  ANY  PERSON  WHO  (A)  CONTROLS  ALL NON-RESIDENTIAL
 PORTIONS OF AN ELIGIBLE BUILDING,  INCLUDING,  WITHOUT  LIMITATION,  THE
 RECORD  OWNER,  THE  LESSEE  UNDER  A  GROUND  LEASE,  ANY  MORTGAGEE IN
 POSSESSION OR ANY RECEIVER, AND (B) WHO GRANTS THE RIGHT TO USE OR OCCU-
 PY ELIGIBLE PREMISES TO ANY TENANT, PROVIDED  THAT  LANDLORD  SHALL  NOT
 INCLUDE  ANY  LESSEE  WHO  AT ANY TIME DURING THE LEASE TERM OCCUPIED OR
 USED OR OCCUPIES OR USES ANY PART OF  THE  NON-RESIDENTIAL  PORTIONS  OF
 SUCH  ELIGIBLE  BUILDING,  OTHER  THAN PREMISES OCCUPIED OR USED BY SUCH
 LESSEE TO PROVIDE RENTAL OR MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO SUCH BUILDING.
   15. "LEASE COMMENCEMENT DATE". THE DATE SET  FORTH  IN  THE  LEASE  ON
 WHICH THE TERM OF THE LEASE COMMENCES.
   16.  "MIXED-USE  BUILDING".  A  BUILDING USED FOR BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND
 COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES OR BY A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, PROVIDED THAT MORE
 THAN TWENTY-FIVE PER CENTUM OF THE AGGREGATE FLOOR AREA OF SUCH BUILDING
 IS USED OR HELD OUT FOR USE AS COMMERCIAL, COMMUNITY FACILITY OR  ACCES-
 SORY USE SPACE.
   17.  "PERSON".  AN INDIVIDUAL, CORPORATION, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY,
 PARTNERSHIP, ASSOCIATION, AGENCY, TRUST,  ESTATE,  FOREIGN  OR  DOMESTIC
 GOVERNMENT  OR  SUBDIVISION  THEREOF,  NONPROFIT  ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER
 ENTITY.
   18. "RENEWAL TENANT". A PERSON WHO (A) OCCUPIES PREMISES IN AN  ELIGI-
 BLE  BUILDING  UNDER A LEASE WHICH EXPIRES DURING THE ELIGIBILITY PERIOD
 AND (B) EXECUTES A LEASE FOR THE CONTINUED OCCUPANCY OF ALL OR  PART  OF
 SUCH PREMISES OR ALL OR PART OF SUCH PREMISES AND ADDITIONAL PREMISES IN
 SUCH ELIGIBLE BUILDING, PROVIDED SUCH PREMISES ARE ELIGIBLE PREMISES AND

 S. 7616                             3
 
 SUCH  LEASE  MEETS  THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED
 NINETY-NINE-CCCCC OF THIS TITLE.
   19. "RENT COMMENCEMENT DATE". THE DATE SET FORTH IN THE LEASE ON WHICH
 THE OBLIGATION TO PAY BASIC FIXED RENT SHALL COMMENCE.
   20.   "SUBTENANT". A PERSON WHOSE RIGHT TO OCCUPY AND USE THE ELIGIBLE
 PREMISES IS NOT DERIVED FROM A LEASE WITH THE LANDLORD.
   21. "TAX COMMISSION". THE TAX COMMISSION IN ANY CITY  HAVING  A  POPU-
 LATION OF ONE MILLION OR MORE.
   22.  "TAX LIABILITY". THE PRODUCT OBTAINED BY MULTIPLYING THE BILLABLE
 ASSESSED VALUE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR IN WHICH THE BENEFIT PERIOD COMMENCES
 BY THE TAX RATE APPLICABLE TO THE ELIGIBLE BUILDING FOR SUCH FISCAL YEAR
 AS SET BY THE LOCAL LEGISLATIVE BODY OF ANY CITY HAVING A POPULATION  OF
 ONE MILLION OR MORE.
   23.  "TAX LIABILITY PER SQUARE FOOT". THE TAX LIABILITY DIVIDED BY THE
 TOTAL NUMBER OF SQUARE FEET IN THE ELIGIBLE BUILDING, AS LISTED  ON  THE
 RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE.
   24.  "TENANT".  A  PERSON,  INCLUDING  ANY SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST, WHO
 EXECUTES A LEASE WITH THE LANDLORD FOR THE RIGHT TO OCCUPY  OR  USE  THE
 ELIGIBLE  PREMISES AND WHO OCCUPIES OR USES THE ELIGIBLE PREMISES PURSU-
 ANT TO SUCH LEASE. TENANT SHALL NOT INCLUDE ANY SUBTENANT. WHEN USED  IN
 THIS TITLE, "TENANT" INCLUDES "RENEWAL TENANT".
   25.  "TENANT'S  PERCENTAGE  SHARE".  THE  PERCENTAGE  OF  THE ELIGIBLE
 BUILDING'S AGGREGATE FLOOR AREA  ALLOCATED  TO  THE  ELIGIBLE  PREMISES,
 WHICH  SHALL BE PRESUMED TO BE SUCH PERCENTAGE AS SET FORTH IN THE LEASE
 FOR THE ELIGIBLE PREMISES.
   § 499-BBBBB. REAL PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT. 1. WITHIN A  CITY  HAVING  A
 POPULATION  OF ONE MILLION OR MORE, ELIGIBLE BUILDINGS CONTAINING ELIGI-
 BLE PREMISES SHALL RECEIVE AN ABATEMENT OF REAL  PROPERTY  TAXES  DURING
 THE BENEFIT PERIOD AS FOLLOWS:
   (A) FOR EACH OF THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF THE BENEFIT PERIOD, THE ABATE-
 MENT  SHALL  BE  EQUAL  TO  THE  PRODUCT OBTAINED BY (I) MULTIPLYING THE
 TENANT'S PERCENTAGE SHARE BY THE NUMBER OF SQUARE FEET IN  THE  ELIGIBLE
 BUILDING, AS LISTED ON THE RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND (II)
 MULTIPLYING  THE  PRODUCT OBTAINED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH
 BY THE ABATEMENT BASE;
   (B) FOR THE SIXTH, SEVENTH, AND EIGHTH YEAR OF THE BENEFIT PERIOD, THE
 ABATEMENT SHALL BE EQUAL TO TWO-THIRDS OF THE  ABATEMENT  IN  THE  FIRST
 YEAR OF THE BENEFIT PERIOD; AND
   (C)  FOR THE NINTH AND TENTH YEAR OF THE BENEFIT PERIOD, THE ABATEMENT
 SHALL BE EQUAL TO ONE-THIRD OF THE ABATEMENT IN THE FIRST  YEAR  OF  THE
 BENEFIT PERIOD.
   2.  IF,  AS  A  RESULT OF APPLICATION TO THE TAX COMMISSION OR A COURT
 ORDER OR ACTION BY THE DEPARTMENT  OF  FINANCE,  THE  BILLABLE  ASSESSED
 VALUE IS REDUCED, THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE SHALL RECALCULATE THE ABATE-
 MENT UTILIZING SUCH REDUCED BILLABLE ASSESSED VALUE. THE AMOUNT EQUAL TO
 THE  DIFFERENCE  BETWEEN THE ABATEMENT ORIGINALLY GRANTED AND THE ABATE-
 MENT AS SO RECALCULATED SHALL BE  DEDUCTED  FROM  ANY  REFUND  OTHERWISE
 PAYABLE  OR  REMISSION  OTHERWISE  DUE  AS A RESULT OF SUCH REDUCTION IN
 BILLABLE ASSESSED VALUE, AND ANY BALANCE OF SUCH AMOUNT REMAINING UNPAID
 AFTER MAKING ANY SUCH DEDUCTION SHALL  BE  PAID  TO  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF
 FINANCE WITHIN THIRTY DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MAILING BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
 FINANCE  OF  A  NOTICE  OF THE AMOUNT PAYABLE. SUCH AMOUNT PAYABLE SHALL
 CONSTITUTE A TAX LIEN ON THE ELIGIBLE BUILDING AS OF THE  DATE  OF  SUCH
 NOTICE  AND,  IF  NOT  PAID  WITHIN  SUCH THIRTY-DAY PERIOD, PENALTY AND
 INTEREST AT THE RATE APPLICABLE TO DELINQUENT  TAXES  ON  SUCH  ELIGIBLE

 S. 7616                             4
 
 BUILDING  SHALL BE CHARGED AND COLLECTED ON SUCH AMOUNT FROM THE DATE OF
 SUCH NOTICE TO THE DATE OF PAYMENT.
   3.  IN  NO EVENT SHALL THE ABATEMENT FOR THE ELIGIBLE PREMISES GRANTED
 PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE EXCEED THE TAX LIABILITY ALLOCABLE TO THE  ELIGI-
 BLE PREMISES.
   4.  NOTWITHSTANDING  THE PROVISIONS OF ANY LEASE FOR OCCUPANCY OF NON-
 ELIGIBLE PREMISES IN AN ELIGIBLE BUILDING OR FOR OCCUPANCY  OF  ELIGIBLE
 PREMISES  FOR WHICH NO CERTIFICATE OF ABATEMENT HAS BEEN ISSUED PURSUANT
 TO THIS TITLE, A LESSEE OF NON-ELIGIBLE PREMISES OR OF ELIGIBLE PREMISES
 FOR WHICH NO CERTIFICATE OF ABATEMENT HAS BEEN ISSUED PURSUANT  TO  THIS
 TITLE  SHALL  NOT  BE  ENTITLED  TO  RECEIVE  DIRECTLY  OR  INDIRECTLY A
 REDUCTION IN EITHER THE REAL PROPERTY TAXES OR ANY RENT (INCLUDING ADDI-
 TIONAL RENT) PAYABLE PURSUANT TO SUCH LEASE WHERE SUCH  REDUCTION  WOULD
 RESULT FROM AN ABATEMENT OF REAL PROPERTY TAXES GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS
 TITLE.  A  LANDLORD  OF AN ELIGIBLE BUILDING SHALL NOT ALLOCATE, CREDIT,
 ASSIGN OR DISBURSE ANY PORTION OF AN ABATEMENT GRANTED PURSUANT TO  THIS
 TITLE  TO  A LESSEE OF NON-ELIGIBLE PREMISES OR OF ELIGIBLE PREMISES FOR
 WHICH NO CERTIFICATE OF ABATEMENT  HAS  BEEN  ISSUED  PURSUANT  TO  THIS
 TITLE.  A  LANDLORD  SHALL  NOT  BE REQUIRED TO REDUCE THE REAL PROPERTY
 TAXES OR ANY RENT (INCLUDING ADDITIONAL RENT) PAYABLE BY RENEWAL TENANTS
 BY AN AMOUNT THAT EXCEEDS THE  FULL  AMOUNT  OF  THE  ABATEMENT  GRANTED
 PURSUANT  TO  THIS TITLE, BUT A LANDLORD SHALL BE REQUIRED TO REDUCE THE
 REAL PROPERTY TAXES OR ANY RENT (INCLUDING ADDITIONAL RENT)  PAYABLE  BY
 RENEWAL  TENANTS  BY  AN  AMOUNT THAT, IN THE AGGREGATE, EQUALS THE FULL
 AMOUNT OF THE ABATEMENT GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE.  SUCH  REDUCTION
 SHALL  BE  ALLOCATED  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH THE ABATEMENT GRANTED FOR THE
 ELIGIBLE PREMISES OCCUPIED BY EACH SUCH TENANT.
   5. A TENANT WHO OCCUPIES OR USES ELIGIBLE PREMISES FOR WHICH A CERTIF-
 ICATE OF ABATEMENT IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE SHALL NOT BE  ELIGI-
 BLE  TO  RECEIVE A SECOND CERTIFICATE OF ABATEMENT FOR THE SAME ELIGIBLE
 PREMISES. A TENANT WHO OCCUPIES OR USES ELIGIBLE PREMISES  FOR  WHICH  A
 CERTIFICATE  OF ABATEMENT IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE AND WHO, UPON
 THE EXPIRATION OF THE LEASE FOR SUCH  ELIGIBLE  PREMISES,  RELOCATES  TO
 OTHERWISE  ELIGIBLE PREMISES, SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A CERTIF-
 ICATE OF ABATEMENT FOR SUCH OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE PREMISES, EXCEPT  TO  THE
 EXTENT  THAT  THE  SQUARE  FOOTAGE  OF  SUCH OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE PREMISES
 EXCEEDS THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF ALL ELIGIBLE PREMISES PREVIOUSLY  OCCUPIED
 OR  USED  BY  SUCH  TENANT  FOR  WHICH SUCH TENANT HELD A CERTIFICATE OF
 ABATEMENT. IF THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF  SUCH  OTHERWISE  ELIGIBLE  PREMISES
 EXCEEDS  THE  SQUARE  FOOTAGE  OF  ALL SUCH ELIGIBLE PREMISES PREVIOUSLY
 OCCUPIED OR USED BY SUCH TENANT AND IF THERE IS ANY VARIATION IN THE TAX
 LIABILITY PER SQUARE FOOT OF SUCH OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE PREMISES, THEN, FOR
 PURPOSES OF DETERMINING WHICH SQUARE FOOTAGE IN SUCH OTHERWISE  ELIGIBLE
 PREMISES  IS  ENTITLED  TO  AN  ABATEMENT PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE, SQUARE
 FOOTAGE WITH THE GREATEST TAX LIABILITY PER SQUARE FOOT,  IN  AN  AMOUNT
 EQUAL  TO  THE  SQUARE  FOOTAGE OF ALL SUCH ELIGIBLE PREMISES PREVIOUSLY
 OCCUPIED OR USED BY SUCH TENANT, SHALL FIRST BE EXCLUDED.
   § 499-CCCCC. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. 1. NO ABATEMENT SHALL BE GRANT-
 ED PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE UNLESS:
   (A) THE LANDLORD ENTERS INTO A TEN YEAR LEASE  FOR  ELIGIBLE  PREMISES
 WITH A TENANT; AND
   (B)  SUCH  LANDLORD INCLUDES WITHIN SUCH LEASE WITH A TENANT A RENEWAL
 CLAUSE THAT LIMITS A RENT INCREASE TO NO MORE THAN THREE PERCENT ANNUAL-
 LY.

 S. 7616                             5

   2. NO ABATEMENT SHALL BE GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE IF  AN  APPLI-
 CANT  SHALL  FAIL  TO  MEET ANY OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS TITLE WITHIN
 SIXTY DAYS OF THE RENT COMMENCEMENT DATE.
   3. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS TITLE, THE EXPIRATION DATE OF A LEASE SHALL BE
 DETERMINED  BY  THE  EXPIRATION  DATE  SET  FORTH IN SUCH LEASE, WITHOUT
 GIVING EFFECT TO ANY RIGHTS OF THE LANDLORD OR THE TENANT  TO  TERMINATE
 SUCH LEASE PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE SET FORTH THEREIN.
   4.  THE  LEASE  FOR  THE ELIGIBLE PREMISES SHALL CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING
 PROVISIONS:
   (A) A STATEMENT OF THE TENANT'S PERCENTAGE SHARE;
   (B) A STATEMENT CERTIFYING THE PERCENTAGE OF ELIGIBLE  PREMISES  OCCU-
 PIED OR USED BY A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION; AND
   (C)  A  STATEMENT  INFORMING  THE TENANT IN AT LEAST TWELVE-POINT TYPE
 THAT:
   (1) AN APPLICATION FOR ABATEMENT OF REAL PROPERTY  TAXES  PURSUANT  TO
 THIS TITLE WILL BE MADE FOR THE PREMISES;
   (2) THE RENT, INCLUDING AMOUNTS PAYABLE BY THE TENANT FOR REAL PROPER-
 TY  TAXES,  WILL ACCURATELY REFLECT ANY ABATEMENT OF REAL PROPERTY TAXES
 GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE FOR THE PREMISES;
   (3) A RENEWAL OF THE LEASE WILL NOT INCREASE RENT BY MORE  THAN  THREE
 PERCENT ANNUALLY PURSUANT TO THE LEASE AGREEMENT;
   (4) ALL ABATEMENTS GRANTED WITH RESPECT TO A BUILDING PURSUANT TO THIS
 TITLE  WILL  BE REVOKED IF, DURING THE BENEFIT PERIOD, REAL ESTATE TAXES
 OR WATER OR SEWER CHARGES OR OTHER LIENABLE CHARGES ARE UNPAID FOR  MORE
 THAN  ONE  YEAR,  UNLESS SUCH DELINQUENT AMOUNTS ARE PAID AS PROVIDED IN
 SUBDIVISION FOUR OF  SECTION  FOUR  HUNDRED  NINETY-NINE-FFFFF  OF  THIS
 TITLE; AND
   (5)  ALL  BENEFITS  GRANTED  WITH RESPECT TO ELIGIBLE PREMISES WILL BE
 REDUCED IF, DURING THE BENEFIT PERIOD, THE AGGREGATE FLOOR AREA OF  SUCH
 ELIGIBLE  PREMISES  OCCUPIED  OR  USED  BY  A  NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION IS
 REDUCED.
   5. NO ABATEMENT SHALL BE GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE IF:
   (A) THE LEASE FOR THE  ELIGIBLE  PREMISES  PROVIDES  THAT  DURING  THE
 INITIAL  LEASE  TERM  REQUIRED BY SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION EITHER
 THE LANDLORD OR THE TENANT MAY TERMINATE SUCH LEASE PRIOR TO THE EXPIRA-
 TION DATE OF SUCH REQUIRED INITIAL LEASE TERM; PROVIDED THAT SUCH  LEASE
 MAY  PROVIDE  THAT  EITHER THE LANDLORD OR THE TENANT MAY TERMINATE SUCH
 LEASE IF (1) THE OTHER PARTY IS IN DEFAULT OF ANY OF SUCH PARTY'S  OBLI-
 GATIONS  UNDER  THE  LEASE,  (2)  THE  ELIGIBLE  PREMISES ARE DAMAGED OR
 DESTROYED BY FIRE OR OTHER  CASUALTY,  (3)  THE  ELIGIBLE  PREMISES  ARE
 RENDERED  UNUSABLE FOR ANY REASON NOT ATTRIBUTABLE TO ANY ACT OR FAILURE
 TO ACT OF EITHER TENANT OR LANDLORD, OR (4) THE  ELIGIBLE  PREMISES  ARE
 ACQUIRED BY EMINENT DOMAIN; AND
   (B)  THERE  ARE  REAL  PROPERTY TAXES, WATER OR SEWER CHARGES OR OTHER
 LIENABLE CHARGES CURRENTLY DUE AND OWING ON THE ELIGIBLE BUILDING  WHICH
 IS  THE  SUBJECT OF AN APPLICATION FOR ABATEMENT PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE,
 UNLESS SUCH REAL PROPERTY TAXES OR CHARGES ARE CURRENTLY BEING  PAID  IN
 TIMELY  INSTALLMENTS PURSUANT TO A WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT
 OF FINANCE OR OTHER APPROPRIATE AGENCY.
   6. NO ABATEMENT SHALL BE GRANTED PURSUANT TO  THIS  TITLE  UNLESS  THE
 APPLICANT  SHALL  FILE,  TOGETHER  WITH  THE  APPLICATION,  AN AFFIDAVIT
 SETTING FORTH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
   (A) A STATEMENT THAT WITHIN THE SEVEN YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING  THE
 DATE  OF  APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF ABATEMENT, NEITHER THE APPLI-
 CANT NOR ANY PERSON OWNING A SUBSTANTIAL INTEREST IN THE ELIGIBLE BUILD-
 ING AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH (C) OF THIS SUBDIVISION,  NOR  ANY  OFFICER,

 S. 7616                             6
 
 DIRECTOR  OR GENERAL PARTNER OF THE APPLICANT OR SUCH PERSON WAS FINALLY
 ADJUDICATED BY A  COURT  OF  COMPETENT  JURISDICTION  TO  HAVE  VIOLATED
 SECTION  TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE OF THE REAL PROPERTY LAW OR ANY SECTION
 OF  ARTICLE  ONE HUNDRED FIFTY OF THE PENAL LAW OR ANY SIMILAR ARSON LAW
 OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WITH RESPECT TO ANY BUILDING, OR WAS AN OFFICER,
 DIRECTOR OR GENERAL PARTNER OF A PERSON AT  THE  TIME  SUCH  PERSON  WAS
 FINALLY ADJUDICATED TO HAVE VIOLATED SUCH LAW; AND
   (B)  A  STATEMENT SETTING FORTH ANY PENDING CHARGES ALLEGING VIOLATION
 OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE OF  THE  REAL  PROPERTY  LAW  OR  ANY
 SECTION  OF  ARTICLE  ONE  HUNDRED FIFTY OF THE PENAL LAW OR ANY SIMILAR
 ARSON LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WITH RESPECT TO ANY  BUILDING  BY  THE
 APPLICANT  OR  ANY  PERSON OWNING A SUBSTANTIAL INTEREST IN THE ELIGIBLE
 BUILDING AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH (C) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, OR  ANY  OFFI-
 CER, DIRECTOR OR GENERAL PARTNER OF THE APPLICANT OR SUCH PERSON, OR ANY
 PERSON FOR WHOM THE APPLICANT OR PERSON OWNING A SUBSTANTIAL INTEREST IN
 THE ELIGIBLE BUILDING IS AN OFFICER, DIRECTOR OR GENERAL PARTNER.
   (C)  FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION AND SUBDIVISION SEVEN OF SECTION
 FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-NINE-FFFFF OF  THIS  TITLE,  "SUBSTANTIAL  INTEREST"
 SHALL  MEAN  OWNERSHIP  AND  CONTROL OF AN INTEREST OF TEN PER CENTUM OR
 MORE IN THE ELIGIBLE BUILDING OR  IN  ANY  PERSON  OWNING  THE  ELIGIBLE
 BUILDING.
   § 499-DDDDD. APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF ABATEMENT. 1.  APPLICATION
 FOR  A CERTIFICATE OF ABATEMENT MAY BE MADE ON OR AFTER APRIL FIRST, TWO
 THOUSAND TWENTY AND UNTIL SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE END  OF  THE  ELIGIBILITY
 PERIOD.  APPLICATIONS  SHALL BE FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. NO
 APPLICATION MAY BE FILED PRIOR TO THE DATE ON WHICH THE  LEASE  FOR  THE
 ELIGIBLE PREMISES IS EXECUTED BY THE LANDLORD AND TENANT.
   2.  NO  ABATEMENT  PURSUANT  TO THIS TITLE SHALL BE GRANTED UNLESS THE
 APPLICANT FILES AN APPLICATION FOR A  CERTIFICATE  OF  ABATEMENT  WITHIN
 SIXTY DAYS FOLLOWING THE LEASE COMMENCEMENT DATE.
   3.  IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
 FINANCE, THE APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF ABATEMENT SHALL INCLUDE AN
 ABSTRACT OF THE LEASE FOR THE ELIGIBLE PREMISES FOR WHICH  AN  ABATEMENT
 IS  BEING  SOUGHT,  WHICH  ABSTRACT  IS  SIGNED  BY THE LANDLORD AND THE
 TENANT. SUCH ABSTRACT SHALL INCLUDE THE TENANT'S PERCENTAGE  SHARE,  THE
 LEASE COMMENCEMENT DATE, THE RENT COMMENCEMENT DATE, THE EXPIRATION DATE
 FOR  SUCH LEASE AND A DESCRIPTION OF THE LEASE RENEWAL CLAUSE, INCLUDING
 THE ANNUAL RENT INCREASE PERCENTAGE. SUCH APPLICATION SHALL ALSO INCLUDE
 (A) A STATEMENT OF THE NUMBER OF PERSONS WHO WILL, ON THE RENT COMMENCE-
 MENT DATE, BE EMPLOYED IN THE ELIGIBLE PREMISES, (B) A STATEMENT OF  THE
 LOCATION OF ALL COMMERCIAL SPACE IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK OCCUPIED BY THE
 TENANT  PRIOR  TO  THE EXECUTION OF THE LEASE FOR THE ELIGIBLE PREMISES,
 (C) THE COMMENCEMENT AND EXPIRATION DATES OF  ALL  LEASES  FOR  ELIGIBLE
 PREMISES,  AND  (D)  THE  AGGREGATE FLOOR AREA OF THE ELIGIBLE BUILDING.
 SUCH APPLICATION SHALL ALSO STATE THAT THE APPLICANT  AGREES  TO  COMPLY
 WITH AND BE SUBJECT TO THE RULES ISSUED FROM TIME TO TIME BY THE DEPART-
 MENT OF FINANCE.
   4.  WITHIN  ONE  HUNDRED  EIGHTY DAYS FOLLOWING THE LEASE COMMENCEMENT
 DATE, THE APPLICANT SHALL PROVIDE, IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER  INFORMATION
 REQUIRED  BY  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  FINANCE,  EVIDENCE  ACCEPTABLE TO THE
 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE OF THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN THE  ELIGIBLE  PREM-
 ISES.  THE  DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE SHALL ISSUE A CERTIFICATE OF ABATEMENT
 UPON DETERMINING THAT THE APPLICANT HAS SUBMITTED  PROOF  ACCEPTABLE  TO
 THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  FINANCE THAT THE APPLICANT HAS MET THE REQUIREMENTS
 SET FORTH IN THIS TITLE.

 S. 7616                             7
 
   5. THE BURDEN OF PROOF SHALL BE ON THE APPLICANT TO SHOW BY CLEAR  AND
 CONVINCING  EVIDENCE THAT THE REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANTING A CERTIFICATE OF
 ABATEMENT HAVE BEEN SATISFIED. THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE SHALL HAVE  THE
 AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE THAT STATEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH APPLICATION
 BE MADE UNDER OATH.
   6. THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE MAY PROVIDE BY RULE FOR REASONABLE ADMIN-
 ISTRATIVE  CHARGES OR FEES NECESSARY TO DEFRAY EXPENSES IN ADMINISTERING
 THE ABATEMENT PROGRAM PROVIDED BY THIS TITLE.
   § 499-EEEEE. ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION. THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
 SHALL HAVE, IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES  WHICH
 HAVE  BEEN  OR  MAY  BE CONFERRED ON IT BY LAW, THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS,
 POWERS AND DUTIES:
   1. TO RECEIVE AND REVIEW APPLICATIONS FOR  CERTIFICATES  OF  ABATEMENT
 UNDER  THIS  TITLE AND ISSUE SUCH CERTIFICATES WHERE AUTHORIZED PURSUANT
 TO THIS TITLE.
   2. TO RECEIVE ALL CERTIFICATES OF CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY  REQUIRED  BY
 SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-NINE-FFFFF OF THIS TITLE.
   3.  TO COLLECT ALL REAL PROPERTY TAXES, WITH INTEREST AND PENALTY, DUE
 AND OWING AS A RESULT OF REDUCTION, TERMINATION  OR  REVOCATION  OF  ANY
 ABATEMENT GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE.
   4.  TO  MAKE  AND  PROMULGATE  RULES TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES OF THIS
 TITLE.
   § 499-FFFFF. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; REVOCATION OF ABATEMENTS.  1. FOR
 THE DURATION OF THE APPLICANT'S BENEFIT PERIOD, THE APPLICANT SHALL FILE
 ANNUALLY WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, ON OR BEFORE JULY FIRST OF EACH
 YEAR, A CERTIFICATE OF CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY CONFIRMING THAT THE ELIGI-
 BLE PREMISES ARE OCCUPIED BY THE  TENANT  WHO  ORIGINALLY  EXECUTED  THE
 LEASE  AND  THAT  THE  ELIGIBLE PREMISES ARE BEING USED FOR THE PURPOSES
 DESCRIBED IN THE APPLICATION.  SUCH CERTIFICATE OF CONTINUING  ELIGIBIL-
 ITY SHALL BE ON A FORM PRESCRIBED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND SHALL
 CONTAIN  SUCH  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AS THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE SHALL
 REQUIRE. THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE
 ABATEMENTS GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE UPON FAILURE OF  AN  APPLICANT
 TO  FILE  SUCH  CERTIFICATE BY SUCH JULY FIRST DATE. THE BURDEN OF PROOF
 SHALL BE ON THE APPLICANT TO ESTABLISH CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY FOR  BENE-
 FITS  AND  THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE
 THAT STATEMENTS MADE IN SUCH CERTIFICATE SHALL BE MADE UNDER OATH.
   2. THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE SHALL REVOKE ANY ABATEMENT GRANTED PURSU-
 ANT TO THIS TITLE WHEN THE TENANT WHO ORIGINALLY EXECUTED THE  LEASE  IS
 NO  LONGER  OCCUPYING  THE ELIGIBLE PREMISES.   SUCH REVOCATION SHALL BE
 RETROACTIVE TO THE DATE THAT SUCH TENANT VACATED THE  ELIGIBLE  PREMISES
 AND  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF FINANCE SHALL REQUIRE THE LANDLORD TO PAY, WITH
 INTEREST, ANY TAXES WHICH BECOME PAYABLE AS A RESULT OF SUCH REVOCATION.
 THE LANDLORD SHALL NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE WITHIN  THIRTY  DAYS
 FOLLOWING  THE  DATE  ON WHICH SUCH TENANT VACATED THE ELIGIBLE PREMISES
 AND, FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT, SHALL  BE
 LIABLE  FOR PENALTY CALCULATED FOR THE SAME PERIOD AS INTEREST IS CALCU-
 LATED PURSUANT TO THE PRECEDING SENTENCE.
   3. IF ANY PORTION OF THE PREMISES FOR  WHICH  AN  ABATEMENT  HAS  BEEN
 GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE CEASES TO BE OCCUPIED OR USED AS ELIGIBLE
 PREMISES  OR IS OCCUPIED BY A SUBTENANT, THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE SHALL
 REDUCE THE ABATEMENT GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE BY AN  AMOUNT  EQUAL
 TO THE PERCENTAGE OF SUCH ELIGIBLE PREMISES WHICH HAS CEASED TO BE OCCU-
 PIED  OR  USED  AS ELIGIBLE PREMISES OR IS OCCUPIED BY A SUBTENANT. SUCH
 REDUCTION SHALL BE RETROACTIVE TO THE DATE THAT SUCH PREMISES CEASED  TO
 BE OCCUPIED OR USED AS ELIGIBLE PREMISES OR WAS OCCUPIED BY A SUBTENANT,

 S. 7616                             8
 
 AND  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF FINANCE SHALL REQUIRE THE LANDLORD TO PAY, WITH
 INTEREST, ANY TAXES WHICH BECOME PAYABLE AS A RESULT OF SUCH  REDUCTION.
 THE  LANDLORD  SHALL NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE WITHIN THIRTY DAYS
 FOLLOWING  THE  DATE ON WHICH THE PREMISES CEASED TO BE OCCUPIED OR USED
 AS ELIGIBLE PREMISES OR WAS OCCUPIED BY A SUBTENANT AND, FOR FAILURE  TO
 COMPLY  WITH  THIS NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT, SHALL BE LIABLE FOR PENALTY
 CALCULATED FOR THE SAME PERIOD AS INTEREST IS CALCULATED PURSUANT TO THE
 PRECEDING SENTENCE.
   4. IF, DURING THE BENEFIT PERIOD, ANY REAL PROPERTY TAX  OR  WATER  OR
 SEWER CHARGE OR OTHER LIENABLE CHARGE DUE AND PAYABLE WITH RESPECT TO AN
 ELIGIBLE  BUILDING  SHALL  REMAIN UNPAID FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR FOLLOWING
 THE DATE UPON WHICH SUCH TAX OR  CHARGE  BECAME  DUE  AND  PAYABLE,  ALL
 ABATEMENTS  GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH BUILDING
 SHALL BE REVOKED, UNLESS WITHIN THIRTY DAYS FROM THE MAILING OF A NOTICE
 OF REVOCATION  BY  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  FINANCE  SATISFACTORY  PROOF  IS
 PRESENTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE THAT ANY AND ALL DELINQUENT TAXES
 AND  CHARGES  OWING WITH RESPECT TO SUCH BUILDING AS OF THE DATE OF SUCH
 NOTICE HAVE BEEN PAID IN FULL OR ARE  CURRENTLY  BEING  PAID  IN  TIMELY
 INSTALLMENTS  PURSUANT  TO  A  WRITTEN  AGREEMENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF
 FINANCE OR OTHER APPROPRIATE AGENCY. ANY  REVOCATION  PURSUANT  TO  THIS
 SUBDIVISION SHALL BE EFFECTIVE WITH RESPECT TO REAL PROPERTY TAXES WHICH
 BECOME DUE AND PAYABLE FOLLOWING THE DATE OF SUCH REVOCATION.
   5.  THE  DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE MAY DENY, REDUCE, SUSPEND, TERMINATE OR
 REVOKE ANY ABATEMENT GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE WHENEVER:
   (A) THE LANDLORD OR THE TENANT RECEIVING ABATEMENT  PURSUANT  TO  THIS
 TITLE  FAILS  TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS TITLE OR THE RULES
 PROMULGATED HEREUNDER; OR
   (B) AN APPLICATION, CERTIFICATE, REPORT OR OTHER DOCUMENT SUBMITTED BY
 THE APPLICANT CONTAINS A FALSE OR MISLEADING STATEMENT AS TO A  MATERIAL
 FACT  OR OMITS TO STATE ANY MATERIAL FACT NECESSARY IN ORDER TO MAKE THE
 STATEMENT THEREIN NOT FALSE OR MISLEADING, AND MAY DECLARE ANY APPLICANT
 WHO MAKES SUCH FALSE OR MISLEADING STATEMENT OR OMISSION TO BE  INELIGI-
 BLE  FOR  FUTURE  ABATEMENT PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE FOR THE SAME OR OTHER
 PROPERTY. IN ADDITION, THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  FINANCE  SHALL  REQUIRE  THE
 APPLICANT  TO  PAY,  WITH  PENALTY  AND INTEREST, ANY ABATEMENT RECEIVED
 PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE AS A RESULT OF SUCH FALSE OR MISLEADING STATEMENT
 OR OMISSION OF A MATERIAL FACT.
   6. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS TITLE,  THE  DEPARTMENT
 OF  FINANCE SHALL DENY, TERMINATE OR REVOKE ANY ABATEMENT APPLIED FOR OR
 GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE  UPON  A  DETERMINATION  THAT  THE  LEASE
 BETWEEN  THE  LANDLORD  AND  THE  TENANT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A BONA FIDE
 ARM'S LENGTH LEASE. IN MAKING  SUCH  DETERMINATION,  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF
 FINANCE  MAY  CONSIDER,  AMONG  OTHER FACTORS, THE RELATIONSHIP, IF ANY,
 BETWEEN THE LANDLORD AND THE TENANT AND WHETHER THE  BUSINESS  TERMS  OF
 SUCH  LEASE  ARE  CONSISTENT  WITH THE BUSINESS TERMS GENERALLY FOUND IN
 LEASES FOR COMPARABLE SPACE.
   7. (A) IF ANY PERSON DESCRIBED IN THE STATEMENT REQUIRED BY  PARAGRAPH
 (B) OF SUBDIVISION SIX OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-NINE-CCCCC OF THIS
 TITLE  OR  PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SUBDIVISION IS FINALLY ADJUDICATED BY A
 COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO BE GUILTY OF  ANY  CHARGE  LISTED  IN
 SUCH  STATEMENT,  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF FINANCE SHALL REVOKE THE ABATEMENT
 GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE  AND  SHALL  REQUIRE  THE  PAYMENT,  WITH
 INTEREST, OF ANY ABATEMENT RECEIVED PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE.
   (B) THE APPLICANT SHALL, ON THE CERTIFICATE OF CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY,
 STATE  WHETHER  ANY  CHARGES  ALLEGING VIOLATION BY THE APPLICANT OR ANY
 PERSON OWNING A SUBSTANTIAL INTEREST IN THE ELIGIBLE  BUILDING,  OR  ANY

 S. 7616                             9
 
 OFFICER, DIRECTOR OR GENERAL PARTNER OF THE APPLICANT OR PERSON OWNING A
 SUBSTANTIAL  INTEREST  IN  THE ELIGIBLE BUILDING, OR ANY PERSON FOR WHOM
 THE APPLICANT OR PERSON OWNING A SUBSTANTIAL INTEREST  IN  THE  ELIGIBLE
 BUILDING  IS  AN  OFFICER,  DIRECTOR  OR GENERAL PARTNER, OF SECTION TWO
 HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE OF THE REAL PROPERTY LAW OR ANY SECTION  OF  ARTICLE
 ONE  HUNDRED  FIFTY OF THE PENAL LAW OR ANY SIMILAR ARSON LAW OF ANOTHER
 JURISDICTION, ARE PENDING. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS PARAGRAPH,  "SUBSTANTIAL
 INTEREST"  SHALL  HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS SET FORTH IN PARAGRAPH (C) OF
 SUBDIVISION SIX OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-NINE-CCCCC OF THIS TITLE.
   § 499-GGGGG. TAX LIEN; INTEREST AND PENALTY. ALL TAXES, WITH INTEREST,
 REQUIRED TO BE PAID RETROACTIVELY PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE  SHALL  CONSTI-
 TUTE  A TAX LIEN AS OF THE DATE IT IS DETERMINED SUCH TAXES AND INTEREST
 ARE OWED. ALL INTEREST SHALL BE CALCULATED FROM THE DATE THE TAXES WOULD
 HAVE BEEN DUE BUT FOR THE ABATEMENT GRANTED PURSUANT TO  THIS  TITLE  AT
 THE  APPLICABLE RATE OR RATES OF INTEREST IMPOSED BY SUCH CITY GENERALLY
 FOR NON-PAYMENT OF REAL PROPERTY TAX WITH RESPECT TO THE ELIGIBLE BUILD-
 ING FOR THE PERIOD IN QUESTION. WHEN A PROVISION OF THIS TITLE  REQUIRES
 THE  PAYMENT  OF  A  PENALTY IN ADDITION TO INTEREST, THE AMOUNT OF SUCH
 PENALTY SHALL BE EQUAL TO THE AMOUNT OF INTEREST THAT  WOULD  HAVE  BEEN
 PAYABLE  PURSUANT TO SUCH PROVISION HAD SUCH INTEREST BEEN CALCULATED AT
 THE RATE OF THREE PERCENT PER ANNUM.
   § 499-HHHHH. CONFIDENTIALITY. 1. EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE  WITH  A  PROPER
 JUDICIAL ORDER OR AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY LAW, IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR
 THE  COMMISSIONER  OF FINANCE, ANY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE DEPARTMENT
 OF FINANCE, THE PRESIDENT OR A  COMMISSIONER  OR  EMPLOYEE  OF  THE  TAX
 COMMISSION,  ANY  PERSON  ENGAGED OR RETAINED BY SUCH DEPARTMENT OR SUCH
 COMMISSION ON AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACT BASIS, OR ANY PERSON WHO, PURSUANT
 TO THIS TITLE, IS PERMITTED TO INSPECT ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED  BY  AN
 APPLICANT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE OR TO WHOM
 A  COPY,  AN ABSTRACT OR A PORTION OF ANY SUCH INFORMATION IS FURNISHED,
 TO DIVULGE OR MAKE KNOWN IN ANY  MANNER  ANY  SUCH  INFORMATION  TO  ANY
 PERSON  NOT  AUTHORIZED  PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE TO INSPECT SUCH INFORMA-
 TION. THE OFFICERS CHARGED WITH CUSTODY OF SUCH INFORMATION SHALL NOT BE
 REQUIRED TO PRODUCE ANY OF IT OR EVIDENCE OF ANYTHING CONTAINED IN IT IN
 ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY COURT EXCEPT ON BEHALF  OF  THE  COMMIS-
 SIONER  OF  FINANCE  IN  AN ACTION OR PROCEEDING UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF
 THIS TITLE, OR ON BEHALF OF ANY PARTY TO ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING  UNDER
 THE PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE WHEN SUCH INFORMATION OR FACTS SHOWN THERE-
 BY  ARE  DIRECTLY  INVOLVED  IN  SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING, IN EITHER OF
 WHICH EVENTS THE COURT MAY REQUIRE THE PRODUCTION OF, AND MAY  ADMIT  IN
 EVIDENCE  SO  MUCH OF SUCH INFORMATION OR OF THE FACTS SHOWN THEREBY, AS
 ARE PERTINENT TO THE ACTION OR PROCEEDING AND NO  MORE.  NOTHING  HEREIN
 SHALL  BE  CONSTRUED  TO  PROHIBIT THE INSPECTION BY THE LEGAL REPRESEN-
 TATIVES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE  OR  THE  TAX  COMMISSION  OF  SUCH
 INFORMATION  SUBMITTED  BY  ANY  APPLICANT  WHO SHALL BRING AN ACTION TO
 CORRECT AN ASSESSMENT.  NOTHING HEREIN SHALL BE  CONSTRUED  TO  PROHIBIT
 THE  DELIVERY  TO AN APPLICANT OR THE APPLICANT'S DULY AUTHORIZED REPRE-
 SENTATIVE OF A CERTIFIED COPY OF ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY AN  APPLI-
 CANT  TO  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  FINANCE PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE; OR TO ANY
 AGENCY OR ANY DEPARTMENT OF ANY CITY HAVING A POPULATION OF ONE  MILLION
 OR  MORE  PROVIDED  THE  SAME IS REQUESTED FOR OFFICIAL BUSINESS; NOR TO
 PROHIBIT THE INSPECTION FOR OFFICIAL BUSINESS OF SUCH INFORMATION BY THE
 CORPORATION COUNSEL OR OTHER LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES OF A  CITY  HAVING  A
 POPULATION  OF  ONE  MILLION  OR MORE OR BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF ANY
 COUNTY WITHIN SUCH CITY; NOR TO PROHIBIT THE PUBLICATION  OF  STATISTICS
 SO  CLASSIFIED  AS  TO PREVENT THE IDENTIFICATION OF SUCH INFORMATION OR

 S. 7616                            10
 
 PARTICULAR ITEMS THEREOF.  INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY AN APPLICANT TO  THE
 DEPARTMENT  OF  FINANCE  PURSUANT  TO THIS TITLE SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO
 DISCLOSURE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE SIX OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW.
   2.  ANY VIOLATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION
 SHALL BE PUNISHABLE BY A FINE NOT EXCEEDING ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS  OR  BY
 IMPRISONMENT  NOT  EXCEEDING ONE YEAR, OR BOTH, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE
 COURT, AND IF THE OFFENDER BE AN OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF  THE  DEPARTMENT
 OF  FINANCE  OR  OF  THE TAX COMMISSION, THE OFFENDER SHALL BE DISMISSED
 FROM OFFICE.
   § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.