Two bills sponsored by State Senator Patty Ritchie passed the Senate during Monday's session.

Ritchie's bill to make regulations on all terrain vehicles more friendly to families and another bill that could let military reservists cut their property tax bill both made it through during the session’s last full week.

The ATV bill increases the acceptable weight limits on ATVs from 1,000 to 1,500 pounds, allowing New Yorkers to register their utility vehicles or UTVs. Many of the new vehicles are larger than ATVs and are what's known as side-by-sides that allow couples to ride together.

According to Ritchie, UTV registration will generate more state revenue through registrations, as many riders are currently registering the increasingly popular vehicle in other states.

"Upstate New York offers thousands of miles of ATV trails. This legislation will help attract riders to come to New York to experience what we have to offer, expanding our tourism industry and providing more reasons to visit our rural areas," Ritchie said. "If we want to revitalize our economy and help create more jobs in our rural areas, we need to modernize our regulations."

"UTVs are increasingly popular among seniors and adults who want to bring a spouse, a child or a friend with them on a ride," Ritchie said. "These are not the kind of people who are likely to go mud bogging or travel at high speeds off the established trail system."

The second bill gives local counties, cities, towns and villages an option to offer reservists the same property tax benefit that is currently available to other veterans who served their nation during specific periods of conflict.

"The changing nature of threats to our nation has also changed the demands that we put on the men and women of our military reserves, who are increasingly called upon to serve side by side with active duty military to defend our freedom and way of life," Ritchie said.

Under current law, reservists are only eligible for the tax breaks if they previously served in active duty forces, but not if their military careers were spent exclusively in the reserves.

If enacted, local governments will have the option of extending the benefit to reservists, as well as active duty military veterans, Ritchie said.

The veterans property tax benefit can reduce county, city, town and village tax bills by 15 percent, with additional benefits for disabled veterans.

Both bills will now move on to the Assembly for its approval.