Creates election districts for the election of trustees of the Long Island Power Authority

5 Co-sponsors

• Marc Alessi
• Ginny Fields
• Audrey Pheffer
• Andrew Raia
• Steven Englebright

2 Multi-sponsors

• Philip Ramos
• Fred Thiele

BILL NUMBER:A2695A

Title of bill

An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to creating election districts for election of trustees of the Long Island Power Authority

Purpose or general idea of the bill

This legislation would amend Section 1020-d of the public authorities law providing for an elected Board of Trustees for the Long Island Power Authority. The Board of Trustees would consist of 22 trustees with 21 of the trustees to be elected from within the service area, and the Chairman (1) to be appointed by the Governor.

Summary of specific provisions

This legislation amends Section 1020-d of the public authorities law relating to an appointed board of trustees for the Long Island Power Authority. A new Section 1020-d is added which provides for a new elected Board of Trustees beginning January 1, 2011. The Board would consist of 21 elected members: one from each district established by the legislature. Each elected trustee shall be a resident of the district from which the trustee is elected. One trustee shall be appointed by the governor, and shall serve at the governor's pleasure.

Prior to May first, two thousand twenty-one, and. each tenth year there- after, the legislature shall establish twenty-one districts, which shall be equal in population as determined by the last federal decennial census.

Justification

It was originally intended by the State Legislature that the public authority (LIPA) that would replace the Long Island Lighting Company would be governed by an elected Board of Trustees. During the interim period where LIPA was responsible for closing the' Shoreham Nuclear Power Station and the takeover of LILCO, LIPA was governed by an appointed board.

Now that the takeover has been accomplished, and LIPA is now Long Island's public utility, the original concept of an elected board should be implemented.

Long Island will be best served and LIPA will be most responsive to public need if the Board is elected.

Prior legislative history

01/04/06 referred to corporations, authori- ties and commissions. 01/17/07 referred to corporations, authorities and commissions. 01/09/08 referred to corporations, authorities and commis- sions. 01/21/2009 referred to corporations, authorities and commissions.

Fiscal implications

De minimis.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.