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S3348Senate2009-2010 SessionSame asA7187

Relates to the definition of a public body pursuant to the open meetings law

Sponsor Craig M. JohnsonSD-7+3 co-sponsorsAffects Legal
Status
Senate Floor Calendar
Impact
Pending
Passage
Pending

Bill progress

Step 3 of 7

Floor calendar · Mar 4

What's happening

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Who cares

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Sponsors

Primary sponsor
Craig M. Johnson

Senator · Senate District 7

History

  1. Advanced to third reading
  2. 2nd report cal.
  3. 1st report cal.213
  4. Referred to investigations and government operations
  5. Returned to senate
  6. Died in assembly
  7. Referred to governmental operations
  8. Delivered to assembly
  9. Passed senateVote 62–0
  10. Advanced to third reading
  11. Amended 3348a
  12. 2nd report cal.
Show 2 earlier actions
  1. 1st report cal.124
  2. Referred to investigations and government operations

Companion bill

The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.

A7187Assembly

Relates to the definition of a public body pursuant to the open meetings law

In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Brian Kavanagh

Full text

The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.

Sponsor's memo

Title of bill

An act to amend the public officers law, in relation to the definition of a public body pursuant to the open meetings law

Purpose

This bill will amend the definition of a public body to include any advisory committee or similar body created by such public body or pursuant to executive order, or state or local law or any entity consisting of two or more members created by executive order of the governor.

Summary of specific provisions

Amends Section 1. Subdivision 2 of Section 102 of the Public Officers. Law.

Justification

Several recent court decisions (GoodsonTodman Enterprises, Ltd. v. Town Board of Milan, 542 NYS 2d 373, 374, 151 AD 2d 642 (1989); Poughkeepsie Newspaper v. Mayor's Intergovernmental Task Force, 145 AD 2d 65, 67 (1989); see also New York Public Interest Research Group v. Governor's Advisory Commission, 507 NYS 2d 798, aff'd with no opinion, 135 AD 2d 1149, motion for leave to appeal denied, 71 NY 2d 964 (1988) ) have indicated that advisory bodies, other than those consisting of members of a governing body, are not public bodies and therefore not subject to the Open Meetings Law.

It is essential to a democratic society that deliberations and decisions made by policymakers and their advisors are transparent and accessible to the general public. This bill is introduced in this spirit of open government and freedom of information. It is not uncommon for members of the public to be barred from government decision-making that occurs in public forums, whether in a body created by executive order or in advisory committees. Expanding the definition of public body will ensure greater transparency in government and a more informed, engaged public.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Effective immediately.

Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.