The state Senate Tuesday approved a pair of bills addressing property tax exemptions and whether they have become too much of a burden for local governments. 

One of the bills would create a task force to examine the issue of exemptions being granted and the current process. 

The other bill would create a panel that would assess the effect a large number of tax-exempt properties have on municipalities, like state parks and other facilities within their borders, and whether there has been an impact on economic development in the community. 

Both bills were sponsored by Sen. Peter Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat.

“Our fiscally-challenging times definitely necessitate a re-evaluation of how widely we should be granting exemptions on property,” he said. “I am pleased that my Senate colleagues have moved forward these two bills, both of which will offer greater clarity on whether certain exemptions are unfairly impacting our taxpayers and what gain, if any, they offer to our communities.”​