Bill Text: NY A07218 | 2015-2016 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Relates to creating the New York state home ownership savings plan and creating a property tax exemption related thereto.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-01-06 - referred to ways and means [A07218 Detail]
Download: New_York-2015-A07218-Introduced.html
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K ________________________________________________________________________ 7218 2015-2016 Regular Sessions I N A S S E M B L Y April 28, 2015 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. McDONALD -- read once and referred to the Commit- tee on Ways and Means AN ACT to amend the state finance law and the real property tax law, in relation to creating the New York state home ownership savings plan and creating a property tax exemption relating thereto THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM- BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: 1 Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "New York 2 state home ownership savings plan". 3 S 2. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 97-j to 4 read as follows: 5 S 97-J. 1. THE PURPOSE OF THE NEW YORK STATE HOME OWNERSHIP SAVINGS 6 PLAN IS TO ATTRACT INDIVIDUALS TO RESIDE AND REMAIN IN THE STATE BY 7 AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HOME OWNERSHIP SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND 8 PROVIDING GUIDELINES FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACCOUNTS IN ORDER TO 9 ENABLE INDIVIDUALS AND COUPLES TO RECEIVE A REFUNDABLE TAX CREDIT TO 10 HELP THEM SAVE TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF A FIRST HOME IN NEW YORK STATE. 11 2. AS USED IN THIS SECTION: 12 (A) "ASSETS OF THE PLAN" MEANS ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE INTO THE PLAN, 13 ANY TRANSFERS MADE INTO THE PLAN UNDER THIS SECTION AND ALL INCOME 14 EARNED THEREFROM AND ON ASSETS SUBSTITUTED THEREFOR, WHETHER OR NOT THE 15 ASSETS OF THE PLAN ARE IN THE FORM OF QUALIFIED INVESTMENTS. 16 (B) "COUPLE" MEANS INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE COHABITED FOR A PERIOD OF AT 17 LEAST FIVE YEARS IN A CONJUGAL RELATIONSHIP REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY 18 ARE MARRIED. 19 (C) "COMPTROLLER" MEANS THE COMPTROLLER OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 20 (D) "CONTRIBUTION" MEANS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY PAID BY AN INDIVIDUAL TO 21 A FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION AS A PAYMENT INTO A HOME OWNERSHIP SAVINGS 22 PLAN. 23 (E) "FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION" MEANS A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION AUTHORIZED 24 TO DO BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND (I) WHICH IS AN AUTHORIZED EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD06708-01-5 A. 7218 2 1 FIDUCIARY TO ACT AS A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF AN ACT OF 2 CONGRESS ENTITLED "EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974" AS 3 SUCH PROVISIONS MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, OR AN INSURANCE COMPA- 4 NY; AND 5 (II) (1) IS LICENSED OR CHARTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL 6 SERVICES; 7 (2) IS CHARTERED BY AN AGENCY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT; 8 (3) IS SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION AND REGULATION OF THE SECURITIES 9 AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT; OR 10 (4) IS ANY OTHER ENTITY OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED TO ACT IN THIS STATE AS A 11 TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF AN ACT OF CONGRESS ENTITLED 12 "EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974" AS SUCH PROVISIONS MAY 13 BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME. 14 (F) "HOMEOWNERSHIP SAVINGS PLAN" MEANS AN ARRANGEMENT ENTERED INTO BY 15 AN INDIVIDUAL AND A FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION UNDER WHICH PAYMENT IS MADE 16 BY THE INDIVIDUAL TO THE FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION OF AN AMOUNT OF MONEY AS 17 A PAYMENT UNDER THE ARRANGEMENT TO BE USED, INVESTED OR OTHERWISE 18 APPLIED BY THE FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING TO 19 THE INDIVIDUAL AS THE PLANHOLDER UNDER THE ARRANGEMENT AN AMOUNT OF 20 MONEY TO BE USED BY THE INDIVIDUAL FOR THE PURCHASE BY HIM OR HER OF A 21 QUALIFYING ELIGIBLE HOME. 22 (G) "INDIVIDUAL" MEANS A PERSON OTHER THAN A TRUST OR CORPORATION AS 23 DEFINED BY THE TAX LAW. 24 (H) "PLANHOLDER" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OVER TO 25 WHOM, UNDER THE PLAN, A SINGLE PAYMENT IS AGREED TO BE PAID. PLANHOLDER 26 DOES NOT INCLUDE AN INDIVIDUAL TO WHOM UNDER A PLAN A SINGLE PAYMENT IS 27 AGREED TO BE PAID AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE DEATH OF ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL. 28 (I) "ELIGIBLE HOME" MEANS: 29 (I) A DETACHED HOUSE; 30 (II) A SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE; 31 (III) A TOWNHOUSE; 32 (IV) A SHARE OR SHARES OF THE CAPITAL STOCK OF A CO-OPERATIVE CORPO- 33 RATION IF THE SHARE OR SHARES ARE ACQUIRED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING 34 THE RIGHT TO INHABIT A HOUSING UNIT OWNED BY THE CORPORATION; 35 (V) A CONDOMINIUM UNIT; 36 (VI) A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING THAT IS A DUPLEX, TRIPLEX OR A FOURPLEX; 37 (VII) A MOBILE HOME THAT COMPLIES WITH THE PRESCRIBED STANDARDS AND IS 38 SUITABLE FOR YEAR ROUND PERMANENT RESIDENTIAL OCCUPATION; 39 (VIII) A PARTIAL OWNERSHIP INTEREST AS A TENANT IN COMMON OF REAL 40 PROPERTY, IF THE OWNERSHIP INTEREST WAS ACQUIRED FOR THE PURPOSE OF 41 ACQUIRING THE RIGHT TO INHABIT A HOUSING UNIT FORMING PART OF THE REAL 42 PROPERTY; OR 43 (IX) ANY OTHER RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY AS MAY BE PRESCRIBED. 44 (J) "OWNERSHIP OF AN ELIGIBLE HOME" MEANS: 45 (I) IN THE CASE OF AN ELIGIBLE HOME AS PRESCRIBED IN SUBPARAGRAPHS 46 (I), (II), (III) OR (VI) OF PARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE INDI- 47 VIDUAL HAS AN OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN THE ELIGIBLE HOME AND OWNS A FREE- 48 HOLD ESTATE IN THE LAND SUBJACENT TO THE ELIGIBLE HOME OTHER THAN AS A 49 MORTGAGEE OR IS A LESSEE OF THE LAND SUBJACENT TO THE ELIGIBLE HOME; 50 (II) IN THE CASE OF AN ELIGIBLE HOME THAT IS A CONDOMINIUM UNIT, THE 51 INDIVIDUAL IS AN OWNER OF THE UNIT AND COMMON ELEMENTS WITHIN THE MEAN- 52 ING OF NEW YORK STATE LAW; 53 (III) IN THE CASE OF AN ELIGIBLE HOME IN THE FORM OF A SHARE OR SHARES 54 OF THE CAPITAL STOCK OF A CO-OPERATIVE CORPORATION THE INDIVIDUAL HAS 55 ACQUIRED, JOINTLY WITH ANOTHER PERSON OR OTHERWISE, THE SHARE OR SHARES 56 TO ENABLE THE INDIVIDUAL TO ACQUIRE A RIGHT TO OCCUPY A HOUSING UNIT A. 7218 3 1 OWNED BY THE CO-OPERATIVE CORPORATION, THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE CO-OPERA- 2 TIVE CORPORATION HAVE ENTERED INTO AN ENFORCEABLE OCCUPANCY AGREEMENT IN 3 RESPECT OF THE HOUSING UNIT, AND THE INDIVIDUAL IS ENTITLED TO VACANT 4 POSSESSION OF THE HOUSING UNIT UNDER THE TERMS OF THE OCCUPANCY AGREE- 5 MENT; 6 (IV) IN THE CASE OF AN ELIGIBLE HOME THAT IS A MOBILE HOME SUITABLE 7 FOR YEAR-ROUND PERMANENT RESIDENTIAL OCCUPATION, THE INDIVIDUAL, EITHER 8 ALONE OR JOINTLY WITH ANOTHER PERSON, HAS COMPLETED THE PURCHASE OF THE 9 MOBILE HOME, THE MOBILE HOME IS SITUATED ON A FOUNDATION, WHICH MEETS 10 THE PRESCRIBED STANDARDS, ON THE LAND WHERE IT IS TO BE INHABITED, AND 11 THE LAND IS OWNED BY THE INDIVIDUAL, JOINTLY WITH ANOTHER PERSON OR 12 OTHERWISE, OR IS OCCUPIED BY THE INDIVIDUAL UNDER A LICENSE OR LEASE 13 THAT PERMITS THE INDIVIDUAL TO LOCATE THE MOBILE HOME ON THE LAND AND TO 14 OCCUPY IT AS A YEAR-ROUND RESIDENCE; 15 (V) IN THE CASE OF AN ELIGIBLE HOME REFERRED TO IN SUBPARAGRAPH (VII) 16 OF PARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE INDIVIDUAL HAS ACQUIRED A 17 FREEHOLD ESTATE IN THE REAL PROPERTY, OTHER THAN AS A MORTGAGEE, AND IS 18 ENTITLED TO VACANT POSSESSION OF SAID HOUSING UNIT; 19 (VI) IN THE CASE OF AN ELIGIBLE HOME OF A PRESCRIBED CLASS OR NATURE, 20 OR OWNED BY A MEMBER OF A PRESCRIBED CLASS OF PERSONS, THE PRESCRIBED 21 TERMS AND CONDITIONS ARE MET; 22 (VII) IN THE CASE OF A GIFT OR INHERITANCE, A PERSON WHO ACQUIRES AN 23 OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN AN ELIGIBLE HOME BY GIFT FROM THE OWNER OF THE 24 INTEREST OR BY REASON OF THE DEATH OF THE OWNER OF THE INTEREST SHALL BE 25 DEEMED TO OWN THE ELIGIBLE HOME FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION ON THE 26 EARLIEST DATE ON OR AFTER THE DATE OF THE GIFT OR THE DEATH ON WHICH THE 27 PERSON RESIDES IN THE ELIGIBLE HOME IS ENTITLED TO POSSESSION OF THE 28 ELIGIBLE HOME OR ACQUIRES THE OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN THE ELIGIBLE HOME. 29 THIS DEFINITION DOES NOT INCLUDE AN OWNERSHIP INTEREST ACQUIRED UNDER 30 THE TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT ENFORCEABLE BY OR AGAINST THE PERSON LEGALLY 31 OR BENEFICIALLY ENTITLED TO THE INTEREST IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE DEATH 32 OF THE OWNER OF THE INTEREST; 33 (VIII) IN THE CASE OF A DEEMED OWNER OF AN ELIGIBLE HOME, THE COMP- 34 TROLLER MAY DEEM AN INDIVIDUAL TO HAVE OWNED AN ELIGIBLE HOME AT A 35 PARTICULAR TIME IF OWNERSHIP WAS AT THAT TIME VESTED IN A PERSON UNDER 36 THE TERMS OF AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED TRUST BY WHICH THE PERSON HELD THE 37 PROPERTY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE INDIVIDUAL, EITHER ALONE OR WITH ONE OR 38 MORE OTHER PERSONS, AND THE COMPTROLLER IS OF THE OPINION THAT THE INDI- 39 VIDUAL EXERCISED EFFECTIVE CONTROL, EITHER ALONE OR WITH ONE OR MORE 40 OTHER PERSONS, OVER THE ELIGIBLE HOME. 41 3. (A) THE COMPTROLLER SHALL IMPLEMENT THE PLAN UNDER THE TERMS AND 42 CONDITIONS ESTABLISHED BY THIS SECTION AND A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING 43 RELATING TO ANY TERMS OR CONDITIONS NOT OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED FOR 44 IN THIS SECTION. 45 (B) IN FURTHERANCE OF SUCH IMPLEMENTATION THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDER- 46 STANDING SHALL ADDRESS THE AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMP- 47 TROLLER AND THE CORPORATION TO: 48 (I) DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT THE PLAN IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE 49 PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION THROUGH RULES AND REGULATIONS ESTABLISHED IN 50 ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT; 51 (II) ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF CONSULTANTS ON A CONTRACT BASIS FOR 52 RENDERING PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE; 53 (III) MAKE CHANGES TO THE PLAN REQUIRED FOR THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE 54 PLAN TO OBTAIN ANY ELIGIBLE FEDERAL OR STATE BENEFITS OR TREATMENT UNDER 55 ANY LEGISLATION; A. 7218 4 1 (IV) CHARGE, IMPOSE, AND COLLECT ADMINISTRATIVE FEES AND SERVICE 2 CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH ANY AGREEMENT, CONTRACT OR TRANSACTION RELAT- 3 ING TO THE PLAN; 4 (V) DEVELOP MARKETING PLANS AND PROMOTION MATERIAL; 5 (VI) ESTABLISH THE METHODS BY WHICH THE FUNDS HELD IN SUCH ACCOUNTS BE 6 DISBURSED; 7 (VII) ESTABLISH THE METHOD BY WHICH FUNDS SHALL BE ALLOCATED TO PAY 8 FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS; AND 9 (VIII) DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY AND PROPER TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES OF 10 THIS SECTION. 11 4. (A) THE COMPTROLLER SHALL IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM THROUGH USE OF 12 FINANCIAL ORGANIZATIONS AS ACCOUNT DEPOSITORIES AND MANAGERS. UNDER THE 13 PROGRAM, INDIVIDUALS MAY ESTABLISH ACCOUNTS DIRECTLY WITH AN ACCOUNT 14 DEPOSITORY. 15 (B) THE COMPTROLLER MAY SOLICIT PROPOSALS FROM FINANCIAL ORGANIZATIONS 16 TO ACT AS DEPOSITORIES AND MANAGERS OF THE PROGRAM. FINANCIAL ORGANIZA- 17 TIONS SUBMITTING PROPOSALS SHALL DESCRIBE THE INVESTMENT INSTRUMENT 18 WHICH WILL BE HELD IN ACCOUNTS. THE COMPTROLLER SHALL SELECT AS PROGRAM 19 DEPOSITORIES AND MANAGERS THE FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION, FROM AMONG THE 20 BIDDING FINANCIAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT DEMONSTRATES THE MOST ADVANTAGEOUS 21 COMBINATION, BOTH TO POTENTIAL PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND THIS STATE, OF 22 THE FOLLOWING FACTORS: 23 (I) FINANCIAL STABILITY AND INTEGRITY OF THE FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION; 24 (II) THE SAFETY OF THE INVESTMENT INSTRUMENT BEING OFFERED; 25 (III) THE ABILITY OF THE INVESTMENT INSTRUMENT TO TRACK INCREASING 26 COSTS OF THE HOUSING MARKET; 27 (IV) THE ABILITY OF THE FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION TO SATISFY RECORDKEEP- 28 ING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; 29 (V) THE FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION'S PLAN FOR PROMOTING THE PROGRAM AND 30 THE INVESTMENT IT IS WILLING TO MAKE TO PROMOTE THE PROGRAM; 31 (VI) THE FEES, IF ANY, PROPOSED TO BE CHARGED TO PERSONS FOR OPENING 32 ACCOUNTS; 33 (VII) THE MINIMUM INITIAL DEPOSIT AND MINIMUM CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THE 34 FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION WILL REQUIRE; 35 (VIII) THE ABILITY OF BANKING ORGANIZATIONS TO ACCEPT ELECTRONIC WITH- 36 DRAWALS, INCLUDING PAYROLL DEDUCTION PLANS; AND 37 (IX) OTHER BENEFITS TO THE STATE OR ITS RESIDENTS INCLUDED IN THE 38 PROPOSAL, INCLUDING FEES PAYABLE TO THE STATE TO COVER EXPENSES OF OPER- 39 ATION OF THE PROGRAM. 40 (C) THE COMPTROLLER MAY ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH A FINANCIAL ORGAN- 41 IZATION. SUCH FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION MANAGEMENT MAY PROVIDE ONE OR MORE 42 TYPES OF INVESTMENT INSTRUMENT. 43 (D) THE COMPTROLLER MAY SELECT MORE THAN ONE FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION 44 FOR THE PROGRAM. 45 (E) A MANAGEMENT CONTRACT SHALL INCLUDE, AT A MINIMUM, TERMS REQUIRING 46 THE FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION TO: 47 (I) TAKE ANY ACTION REQUIRED TO KEEP THE PROGRAM IN COMPLIANCE WITH 48 REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION AND ANY ACTIONS NOT CONTRARY TO ITS 49 CONTRACT TO MANAGE THE PROGRAM TO QUALIFY AS A QUALIFIED "HOMEOWNERSHIP 50 SAVINGS PLAN" AS DEFINED BY THIS SECTION; 51 (II) KEEP ADEQUATE RECORDS OF EACH ACCOUNT, KEEP EACH ACCOUNT SEGRE- 52 GATED FROM EACH OTHER ACCOUNT, AND PROVIDE THE COMPTROLLER WITH THE 53 INFORMATION NECESSARY TO PREPARE THE STATEMENTS REQUIRED BY THIS 54 SECTION; A. 7218 5 1 (III) COMPILE AND TOTAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN STATEMENTS REQUIRED 2 TO BE PREPARED UNDER THIS SECTION AND PROVIDE SUCH COMPILATIONS TO THE 3 COMPTROLLER; 4 (IV) IF THERE IS MORE THAN ONE PROGRAM MANAGER, PROVIDE THE COMP- 5 TROLLER WITH SUCH INFORMATION NECESSARY TO DETERMINE COMPLIANCE WITH 6 THIS SECTION; 7 (V) PROVIDE THE COMPTROLLER OR HIS DESIGNEE ACCESS TO THE BOOKS AND 8 RECORDS OF THE PROGRAM MANAGER TO THE EXTENT NEEDED TO DETERMINE COMPLI- 9 ANCE WITH THE CONTRACT; 10 (VI) HOLD ALL ACCOUNTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ACCOUNT OWNER; 11 (VII) BE AUDITED AT LEAST ANNUALLY BY A FIRM OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC 12 ACCOUNTANTS SELECTED BY THE PROGRAM MANAGER AND THAT THE RESULTS OF SUCH 13 AUDIT BE PROVIDED TO THE COMPTROLLER; 14 (VIII) PROVIDE THE COMPTROLLER WITH COPIES OF ALL REGULATORY FILINGS 15 AND REPORTS MADE BY IT DURING THE TERM OF THE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT OR 16 WHILE IT IS HOLDING ANY ACCOUNTS, OTHER THAN CONFIDENTIAL FILINGS OR 17 REPORTS THAT WILL NOT BECOME PART OF THE PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM MANAGER 18 SHALL MAKE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW BY THE COMPTROLLER THE RESULTS OF ANY 19 PERIODIC EXAMINATION OF SUCH MANAGER BY ANY STATE OR FEDERAL BANKING, 20 INSURANCE, OR SECURITIES COMMISSION, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH 21 REPORT OR REPORTS MAY NOT BE DISCLOSED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW OR THE RULES 22 OF SUCH COMMISSION; AND 23 (IX) ENSURE THAT ANY DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM, WHETHER IN WRITING OR 24 THROUGH THE USE OF ANY MEDIA, IS CONSISTENT WITH THE MARKETING PLAN 25 DEVELOPED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS SECTION. 26 (F) THE COMPTROLLER MAY PROVIDE THAT AN AUDIT SHALL BE CONDUCTED OF 27 THE OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE PROGRAM DEPOSITORY AND 28 MANAGER AT ANY TIME IF THE COMPTROLLER HAS ANY REASON TO BE CONCERNED 29 ABOUT THE FINANCIAL POSITION, THE RECORDKEEPING PRACTICES, OR THE STATUS 30 OF ACCOUNTS OF SUCH PROGRAM DEPOSITORY AND MANAGER. 31 (G) DURING THE TERM OF ANY CONTRACT WITH A PROGRAM MANAGER, THE COMP- 32 TROLLER SHALL CONDUCT AN EXAMINATION OF SUCH MANAGER AND ITS HANDLING OF 33 ACCOUNTS. SUCH EXAMINATION SHALL BE CONDUCTED AT LEAST BIENNIALLY IF 34 SUCH MANAGER IS NOT OTHERWISE SUBJECT TO PERIODIC EXAMINATION BY THE 35 SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES, THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE 36 CORPORATION OR OTHER SIMILAR ENTITY. 37 (H) (I) IF SELECTION OF A FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION AS A PROGRAM MANAGER 38 OR DEPOSITORY IS NOT RENEWED, AFTER THE END OF ITS TERM: 39 (1) ACCOUNTS PREVIOUSLY ESTABLISHED AND HELD IN INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS 40 AT SUCH FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION MAY BE TERMINATED; 41 (2) ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS MAY BE MADE TO SUCH ACCOUNTS; 42 (3) NO NEW ACCOUNTS MAY BE PLACED WITH SUCH FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION; 43 AND 44 (4) EXISTING ACCOUNTS HELD BY SUCH DEPOSITORY SHALL REMAIN SUBJECT TO 45 ALL OVERSIGHT AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED BY THE COMPTROLLER. 46 (II) IF THE COMPTROLLER TERMINATES A FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION AS A 47 PROGRAM MANAGER OR DEPOSITORY, HE OR SHE SHALL TAKE CUSTODY OF ACCOUNTS 48 HELD BY SUCH FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION AND SHALL SEEK TO PROMPTLY TRANSFER 49 SUCH ACCOUNTS TO ANOTHER FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION THAT IS SELECTED AS A 50 PROGRAM MANAGER OR DEPOSITORY AND INTO INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS AS SIMILAR 51 TO THE ORIGINAL INSTRUMENTS AS POSSIBLE. 52 (I) THE COMPTROLLER MAY ENTER INTO SUCH CONTRACTS AS IT DEEMS NECES- 53 SARY AND PROPER FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM. 54 5. (A) THE TERMS OF THE PLAN DO NOT PERMIT ANY PAYMENT TO THE PLAN- 55 HOLDER OF ANY ASSET OF THE PLAN EXCEPT BY WAY OF: A. 7218 6 1 (I) A SINGLE PAYMENT OF ALL OF THE ASSETS OF THE PLAN TO THE COMMIS- 2 SIONER OF HOUSING TO HOLD THE ASSETS OF THE PLAN AS TRUST PROPERTY IN 3 TRUST FOR THE PLANHOLDER AND THE STATE JOINTLY AND TO LEGALLY REPRESENT 4 THE PLANHOLDER IN THE PURCHASE BY THE PLANHOLDER OF A QUALIFYING ELIGI- 5 BLE HOME, OR 6 (II) A SINGLE PAYMENT OF ALL THE ASSETS OF THE PLAN, LESS THE AMOUNT 7 TO BE WITHHELD BY THE FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION OR THE AMOUNT, IF ANY, 8 DIRECTED BY THE COMPTROLLER TO THE PLANHOLDER OR TO THE LEGAL PERSONAL 9 REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PLANHOLDER UPON THE DEATH OF THE PLANHOLDER. 10 (B) THE TERMS OF THE PLAN REQUIRE THE FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION TO WITH- 11 HOLD AND REMIT TO THE COMPTROLLER ANY AMOUNT REQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION 12 ON ANY PAYMENT OF ASSETS OF THE PLAN TO THE PLANHOLDER OR TO THE LEGAL 13 PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PLANHOLDER ON THE DEATH OF THE PLANHOLD- 14 ER. 15 (C) THE TERMS OF THE PLAN PROVIDE THAT THE FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION WILL 16 ACCEPT REPAYMENT OF ASSETS INTO THE PLAN FROM A COMMISSIONER OF HOUSING 17 TO WHOM ASSETS OF THE PLAN WERE PAID. 18 (D) THE TERMS OF THE PLAN PROVIDE THAT THE PAYMENT TO THE PLANHOLDER 19 IS NOT CAPABLE IN WHOLE OR IN PART OF SURRENDER, ASSIGNMENT OR TRANSFER 20 EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY AN ELECTION UNDER THIS SECTION. 21 (E) THE PLANHOLDER IS AT LEAST EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE AND A RESIDENT OF 22 NEW YORK AT THE TIME OF ENTERING INTO THE PLAN. 23 (F) THE PLANHOLDER SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM IF THEY ARE A 24 FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER AS DEFINED UNDER THE FEDERAL SONYMA PROGRAM AND (I) 25 HAS NOT HAD ANY OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN HIS OR HER PRIMARY RESIDENCE AT 26 ANY TIME DURING THE THREE YEARS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF MAKING AN APPLICA- 27 TION, AND (II) AT THE TIME OF MAKING THE APPLICATION DOES NOT OWN A 28 VACATION OR INVESTMENT HOME. THIS DEFINITION INCLUDES RESIDENCES OWNED 29 IN THE UNITED STATES AND ABROAD. 30 (G) THE TERMS OF THE PLAN PROHIBIT ANY AMENDMENT TO THE TERMS OF THE 31 PLAN: 32 (I) THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE TERMS OF THE PLAN AS AMENDED FAILING TO 33 COMPLY WITH THIS SECTION; 34 (II) THAT WOULD PERMIT OR REQUIRE ANY PERSON TO DO ANYTHING CONTRARY 35 TO THIS SECTION; OR 36 (III) THAT WOULD PREVENT OR PROHIBIT ANY PERSON FROM DOING ANYTHING 37 REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION TO BE DONE. 38 (H) THE TERMS OF THE PLAN PROVIDE THAT ON THE DEATH OF THE PLANHOLDER, 39 THE FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION SHALL TRANSFER OR DISTRIBUTE ALL ASSETS OF 40 THE PLAN, LESS ANY AMOUNT REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION TO BE WITHHELD AND 41 REMITTED TO THE COMPTROLLER, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION. 42 (I) THE TERMS OF THE PLAN PROHIBIT THE HOLDING OF THE ASSETS OF THE 43 PLAN IN ANY FORM OTHER THAN QUALIFIED INVESTMENTS. 44 (J) THE PLAN INCLUDES A PROVISION DENYING THE FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION 45 ANY RIGHT OF SET-OFF AS REGARDS THE ASSETS OF THE PLAN IN CONNECTION 46 WITH ANY DEBT OR OBLIGATION TO THE FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION THAT THE PLAN- 47 HOLDER UNDER THE PLAN OWES OR MAY THEREAFTER OWE. 48 (K) THE TERMS OF THE PLAN INCLUDE THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY THE PLANHOLDER 49 THAT HE OR SHE UNDERSTANDS THAT THE AMOUNT OF A TAX CREDIT, IF ANY, 50 AVAILABLE WITH RESPECT TO CONTRIBUTIONS MADE TO THE PLAN IN ANY YEAR 51 DEPEND ON THE PLANHOLDER'S LEVEL OF INCOME FOR THAT YEAR AND THAT THE 52 PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION APPLY EVEN IF THE PLANHOLDER MAY NOT BE ENTI- 53 TLED TO A TAX CREDIT IN ANY YEAR. 54 (L) THE TERMS OF THE PLAN CONTAIN THE CONSENT OF THE PLANHOLDER TO THE 55 RELEASE TO THE COMPTROLLER OF ALL INFORMATION OBTAINED BY THE FINANCIAL 56 ORGANIZATION WITH RESPECT TO THE PLAN, THE PLANHOLDER AND THE A. 7218 7 1 PLANHOLDER'S SPOUSE OR COMMON-LAW PARTNER, IF ANY, FOR THE PURPOSES OF 2 THIS SECTION AND THE OPERATION OF THE PLAN. 3 6. NO TAX CREDIT SHALL BE ISSUED TO INDIVIDUALS OR COUPLES WHOSE 4 INCOME EXCEEDS THE MAXIMUM INCOME LIMITS ESTABLISHED BY THE STATE OF NEW 5 YORK MORTGAGE AGENCY. 6 7. (A) NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO: 7 (I) GIVE ANY DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY ANY RIGHTS OR LEGAL INTEREST WITH 8 RESPECT TO AN ACCOUNT UNLESS THE DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY IS THE ACCOUNT 9 OWNER; 10 (II) GUARANTEE THAT A DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY WILL BE QUALIFIED FOR A 11 HOME LOAN; 12 (III) CREATE STATE RESIDENCY FOR AN INDIVIDUAL MERELY BECAUSE THE 13 INDIVIDUAL IS A DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY; OR 14 (IV) GUARANTEE THAT AMOUNTS SAVED PURSUANT TO THE PROGRAM WILL BE 15 SUFFICIENT TO COVER THE QUALIFIED HOME OWNERSHIP EXPENSES OF A DESIG- 16 NATED BENEFICIARY. 17 (B) (I) NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL CREATE OR BE CONSTRUED TO CREATE 18 ANY OBLIGATION OF THE COMPTROLLER, THE STATE, OR ANY AGENCY OR INSTRU- 19 MENTALITY OF THE STATE TO GUARANTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF ANY ACCOUNT OWNER 20 OR DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY WITH RESPECT TO: 21 (1) THE RATE OF INTEREST OR OTHER RETURN ON ANY ACCOUNT; AND 22 (2) THE PAYMENT OF INTEREST OR OTHER RETURN ON ANY ACCOUNT. 23 (II) THE COMPTROLLER AND THE CORPORATION BY RULE OR REGULATION SHALL 24 PROVIDE THAT EVERY CONTRACT, APPLICATION, DEPOSIT SLIP, OR OTHER SIMILAR 25 DOCUMENT THAT MAY BE USED IN CONNECTION WITH A CONTRIBUTION TO AN 26 ACCOUNT CLEARLY INDICATE THAT THE ACCOUNT IS NOT INSURED BY THE STATE 27 AND NEITHER THE PRINCIPAL DEPOSITED NOR THE INVESTMENT RETURN IS GUARAN- 28 TEED BY THE STATE. 29 S 3. The real property tax law is amended by adding a new section 30 421-o to read as follows: 31 S 421-O. EXEMPTION FOR PROPERTIES PURCHASED IN TARGET AREAS WITH A NEW 32 YORK STATE HOME OWNERSHIP SAVINGS PLAN. 1. RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES WHICH 33 HAVE BEEN PURCHASED IN TARGET AREAS THROUGH A NEW YORK STATE HOME OWNER- 34 SHIP PLAN PURSUANT TO SECTION NINETY-SEVEN-J OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW 35 SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM ALL LOCAL AND MUNICIPAL TAXES. 36 2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION "TARGET AREAS" SHALL HAVE THE SAME 37 MEANING AS DEFINED BY THE STATE OF NEW YORK MORTGAGE AGENCY. 38 3. (A) APPLICATIONS FOR EXEMPTION UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE FILED 39 WITH THE ASSESSORS BETWEEN FEBRUARY FIRST AND MARCH FIFTEENTH OF THE 40 CALENDAR YEAR AND THE ASSESSORS SHALL CERTIFY TO THE COLLECTING OFFICER 41 THE AMOUNT OF EXEMPTION FROM LOCAL AND MUNICIPAL TAXES. 42 (B) THE ASSESSOR AND LOCAL HOUSING AGENCY MAY PROMULGATE RULES AND 43 REGULATIONS TO CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION AND MAY REQUIRE 44 PAYMENT OF A REASONABLE FILING FEE. 45 S 4. This act shall take effect immediately.