Panel Approves Bucco Bill Authorizing Municipalities to Use Email to Send Tax Bills and Construction Permits

Municipalities would be authorized to issue property tax bills, construction permits and receipts for payment of municipal fees and charges by email under legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco and advanced today by the Senate Community and urban Affairs Committee.

Under the bill, S-724, local governments would have the option of adopting an ordinance designating the use of email as an authorized means of delivery, but they would be required to continue providing printed copies by mail, at no additional charge.

“A large percentage of state residents rely on email as their primary means of communication, and for those who have mastered email, it is easy to track any bills or receipts in digital folders,” said Bucco (R-25). “Over time, more and more people will move away from paper, but until then, towns will still mail out copies, as usual.”

An identical bill introduced by Bucco’s father, then-Senator Anthony R. Bucco, was passed out of committee, and versions of the measure have been introduced in both houses of the Legislature since 2010.

“This is a step toward modernizing a time-tested system based on paper,” said Bucco. “It will give municipalities the option to update the way they conduct business without forcing any changes.  It is the first step in changing a system that will, in the end, be easier for the user and save taxpayers money.”