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History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
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Title of bill
An act to amend the public officers law, in relation to access to agency records
Purpose
To facilitate the flow of public information by requiring that executive agencies transmit to the Committee on Open Government for website publication the name of a designated Freedom on Information Law ("FOIL") officer and such officer's contact information.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends Section 87 of the Public Officers Law by adding a new paragraph requiring that agencies transmit to the Committee on Open Government and that the Committee publish on its website the name and means of contact for a designated FOIL officer or officers. Section 2 contains the effective date.
Justification
This bill proposes to make easier the process whereby the public is granted access to government documents. By creating a clearinghouse of information on agency FOIL requests, this bill recognizes and addresses the difficulty the public faces in tracking down the necessary information to complete a FOIL request. The requirements of this bill would be applicable to all governmental agencies within the state, including those at the municipal level. Though the number of such agencies is great, perhaps thousands, the task is not burdensome insomuch as all that is required is the transmission of a name or names and contact information to the Committee on Open Government within 120 days; the Committee's sole task would then be to compile and publish on its website that information which has been supplied by state agencies. This bill is meant to augment legislation from the 2007 legislative session; Chapter 102 of 2007 requires that all agencies which maintain a website must publish, inter alia, the name or names of its FOIL officer or officers along with their contact information. Recognizing that a large number of agencies do not maintain websites, and that further, often times, individuals are unaware of which agency they wish to contact, this bill's clearinghouse creates a complimentary source of contact information to that provided in Chapter 102. Thus, in tandem with Chapter 102, the present bill will further the goal of broadening public access to government records.
Legislative history
2007: S.6475- Committed to Investigations and Government Operations 2008: S.6475- Passed Senate
Fiscal implications
None.
Local fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
On the 120th day after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.