S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
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                                  5295

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            February 11, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by  M.  of  A.  MORELLE,  KOLB, FINCH, OAKS -- read once and
  referred to the  Committee  on  Economic  Development,  Job  Creation,
  Commerce and Industry

AN  ACT  to  amend  the general municipal law, in relation to the empire
  zones program

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.    Paragraph  (i) of subdivision (d) of section 957 of the
general municipal law, as amended by section 1 of part HH of chapter  59
of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as follows:
  (i) all empire zones designated under paragraph (i) of subdivision (a)
and  subdivision (d) of section nine hundred fifty-eight of this article
shall be referred to as "investment zones" and shall be wholly contained
within up to three distinct and  separate  contiguous  areas;  provided,
however,  that  empire  zones  designated prior to the enactment of this
paragraph shall identify up to three distinct  and  separate  contiguous
areas,  which shall equal up to their total allotted acreage at the time
of designation by January first, two thousand six. Provided however, the
existing zone must include as much designated acreage into the  distinct
and  separate  contiguous areas as possible. Provided, however, notwith-
standing the provisions of paragraphs (i) and (ii) of subdivision (a) of
section nine hundred fifty-eight and subdivision  (d)  of  section  nine
hundred  fifty-nine of this article a regionally significant project may
be located outside  of  the  investment  zone's  distinct  and  separate
contiguous  areas,  provided  such significant project is located within
the zone applicant's municipal boundaries. Provided further however,  if
the investment zone is located in a county that does not have a develop-
ment  zone  such  significant project may be located within the county's
boundaries. For the purpose of this article  a  "regionally  significant
project"  shall mean: a manufacturer projecting the creation of fifty or
more jobs; OR A MANUFACTURER MAKING A CAPITAL INVESTMENT OF TEN  MILLION

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD00835-01-9
              

A. 5295                             2

DOLLARS  AND  RETAINING TWO HUNDRED OR MORE JOBS; or an agri-business or
high tech or biotech business making a capital investment of ten million
dollars and creating twenty or more jobs; or a  financial  or  insurance
services  or distribution center creating three hundred or more jobs; or
a clean energy research and development enterprise shall be eligible  as
a  regionally significant project as determined by the local zone admin-
istrative board and the commissioner. Other projects may  be  considered
by the zone designation board;
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.