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The Albany County Legislature has passed a new law regulating flare guns and approved the 2026 budget. The legislation, known as Local Law J, treats flare guns like traditional firearms, requiring purchasers to be over 21. Exceptions exist for use on boats, military purposes, or supervised training programs. Violators face a misdemeanor charge with fines starting at $500 for the first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent violations, according to Albany County's official site.
The law follows a year of incidents involving minors and flare guns, including a fire on Madison Avenue in July. Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy, who previously issued an executive order to raise the purchasing age, supports the legislation. He stated, "Flare guns serve a legitimate purpose, but their misuse has created risks that our community should not have to tolerate."
The legislature also approved a $902 million budget for 2026, which includes a six percent property tax cut and $200,000 to support small businesses. Additionally, $16 million is allocated for economic development through various local initiatives, as reported by NEWS10 ABC. The budget also designates $925,000 in grants for anti-bullying, tobacco prevention, and women's health programs, among others.
Despite these measures, the legislature warned of potential financial challenges for the 2027 budget due to federal spending changes.