Board sets Sept. 14 public hearings on flavored nicotine presumption and several tax-exemption proposals

The Westchester County Board of Legislators voted Aug. 3 to set multiple public hearings for Sept. 14, 2026, including a hearing on a proposed local law amending county code to establish a rebuttable presumption regarding possession of flavored nicotine vapor products.

"Before we set the public hearing date, I would just like to note for the record that the committee report was updated and approved by the original signors from both committees," said Legislator Smith, who moved the resolution to set the hearing for Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m. The motion passed 15–0.

The board also set hearings for (1) a proposed real property tax exemption for surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty, (2) a tax exemption for surviving spouses of volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance service members, and (3) a proposed exemption tied to service members on active duty in a combat zone. All hearings were scheduled for Sept. 14 with times noted in the respective motions; each item passed the board unanimously on recorded votes.

One transcript note: the board clerk stated the county's draft exemption language draws on New York State real property tax law "section 548-a" and indicated the draft was revised to reflect recent state changes. The hearings provide opportunities for public comment and formal testimony before the board considers final local laws.