On Saturday, the New York State Assembly concluded the 2022 Legislative Session. Assemblymember Fred W. Thiele (D-Sag Harbor) issued the following statement on the passage of several bills that benefit his district on the East End:

“As the Assembly adjourns its regular session, I am proud to return home with many pieces of my legislation to support the East End headed to the Governor’s desk. It is an honor to work closely with neighbors, local stakeholders, and partners in government to produce bills that get at the real issues people are facing, big and small.Some of the local bills passed in Albany this year include:”

• A.4069: This bill would grant State recognition and acknowledgement to the Montaukett Indian Nation after their official status was unjustifiably revoked in a 1910 Supreme Court case. The Montaukett Indian Nation has a long, culturally rich history on the East End and are thriving to this day.
• A.4217: This bill would correct certain definitions in the real property tax law to reflect the 2000 merger of the Eastport UFSD and the South Manor UFSD related to school tax payments for state owned lands in the Central Pine Barrens.
• A.5623A: This bill increases the autonomy of the Trustees of the Freeholders and Commonalty of the Town of Southampton with regard to the adoption of its annual budget and tax levy.
• A.9632: This bill recognizes the lifesaving work of Southampton Village Ocean Rescue (SVOR) to keep our ocean and bay safe by granting official recognition as a 209-b emergency rescue and first-aid squad. This will allow SVOR members to use an official green light on any motor vehicle when conducting an emergency operation. Similar legislation was enacted in 2020 to grant the same status to the East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue (EHVOR). 
• A.10417: This bill would allow the Town of Southampton to alienate certain lands in the Meschutt Beach County Park to permit the Hampton Bays Water District to install a subaqueous water pipe crossing a main extension under the Shinnecock Canal. The project will improve water supply, water pressure, and fire protection in the parcel and surrounding lands.