The New York State legislature passed a bill that extends the 421-a tax exemption for projects in New York City beginning construction before December 31, 2015 and a establishes a new exemption for projects on which construction starts after that date. The 421-a program provides a 20-year or 25-year tax exemption in exchange for affordability requirements. Owners must rent at least 20% of the units to individuals or families whose income is less than area median income and 5% of the units to those whose income does not exceed 130% of the area median income. According to Nixon Peabody, the new law includes two immediate changes. First, affordable and market units cannot be isolated to a specific floor or area of the building and must share the same entrance and common areas. Second, owners are no longer required to pay the building superintendent at the prevailing wage.