Sen. Griffo Seeks Bigger Share of DMV Funds for NY Counties

As counties across New York continue to shoulder the day-to-day responsibilities of operating local Department of Motor Vehicles offices, State Senator Joseph Griffo is pushing for a change he says would bring more fairness to how those offices are funded. Joined by Oneida County Clerk Mary Finegan and Madison County Clerk Michael Keville, Griffo outlined an initiative aimed at allowing counties to retain a larger share of revenue generated through DMV transactions.

Under current state rules, 51 of New York’s 62 counties are required to operate local DMV offices as part of the state’s shared services model. These offices handle a wide range of customer services and process many transactions on behalf of the state, including non-fee services that still require staffing, facilities, and operational support. Despite these responsibilities, counties currently retain only a small percentage of the revenue generated through DMV transactions.

A Push to Increase Local Revenue Retention

At present, counties receive 10.75 percent of in-person and online DMV transaction revenue. That figure was increased several years ago following advocacy by Sen. Griffo, but he now believes it still falls short of what counties need to sustainably operate their local DMV offices. Griffo, Finegan, and Keville are proposing that counties be allowed to retain 25 percent of DMV transaction revenue, a change they say would better reflect the true cost of providing these state-mandated services.

Sen. Griffo plans to request that the governor include the proposed increase in her 30-day budget amendments and is also considering legislation to formalize the higher retention rate. He argues that counties are currently required to provide overhead, staffing, and customer service support without an equitable share of the revenue those services generate. According to Griffo, increasing the county share would not result in higher fees or added costs for residents, but would give local governments much-needed resources to maintain and improve DMV services.

Strengthening Customer Service at Local DMV Offices

County clerks say the proposed increase could directly improve the experience residents have at DMV offices. Finegan emphasized that customer service is a top priority for the Utica and Rome DMV agencies, and that retaining a larger share of transaction revenue would allow counties to invest in staffing, facilities, and equipment. She noted that these improvements would help streamline services and better serve county residents.

Keville highlighted the practical challenges facing DMV offices, particularly with new system upgrades that have increased transaction times. As clerks adjust to navigating updated systems, each transaction takes longer to process, increasing personnel costs and putting additional strain on already busy offices. Keville said that without an increase in retention rates, counties may struggle to keep DMV offices fully staffed and operational, especially as demand for services continues.

Addressing the Growing Threat of Deed Fraud

In addition to their push for DMV funding reforms, Sen. Griffo, Finegan, and Keville also raised concerns about deed fraud, which they say is becoming more frequent across New York. Citing a recent FBI report that points to a steady rise in these scams, the group warned of the devastating consequences for homeowners who may be unaware that their property has been sold or is in the process of being sold fraudulently.

In response, Sen. Griffo plans to introduce legislation aimed at strengthening safeguards against deed fraud. The proposal would require a “notice of sale” to be filed with the county clerk, triggering an alert to the actual property owner. A notarized affidavit could then be filed at no cost to rescind the notice. The legislation would also require all deeds offered for recording to reference the notice of sale by instrument number, with failure to do so rendering the deed unrecordable.

Protecting Local Governments and Homeowners

For Sen. Griffo, both initiatives reflect a broader effort to ensure that state policies better support local governments and protect residents. Whether it is providing counties with a fairer share of DMV revenue or strengthening protections against deed fraud, Griffo says the goal is to give local officials the tools and resources they need to serve their communities effectively while safeguarding homeowners from emerging threats.