S8873A
An act to amend the Tax Law — 2024-06-04 · Calendar #1715
The New York State Senate passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Webb to address food insecurity on college campuses by closing a sales tax loophole that discourages meal plan donations. The bill, S8873A, passed on a roll call vote with 61 ayes. The measure amends Tax Law to allow college students to donate unused meal swipes through the Swipe Out Hunger program without incurring additional sales tax obligations. Currently, New York sales tax law only exempts meal swipes used by the original purchaser or guest swipes from taxation, effectively preventing most students from donating their unused meals to food-insecure peers. Sen. Webb noted that over 60 public and private institutions in New York already participate in Swipe Out Hunger, which operates over 750 partnerships nationwide. She credited Assembly sponsor Assemblymember Cunningham for advancing the legislation. The bill takes effect 30 days after becoming law.
PASSED
Ayes: 61
· Nays: N/A
Debate Summary
Sen. Webb explained that the bill addresses food insecurity on college campuses by closing a sales tax loophole that currently discourages students from donating unused meal swipes through the Swipe Out Hunger program. She noted that over 60 public and private institutions in New York already participate in the program, but many students avoid donating meal swipes due to additional sales tax obligations. The legislation would allow more students to donate unused meal swipes without incurring additional tax burden, thereby increasing access to nutritious meals for food-insecure students.