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History
- Print number 7007a
- Amend and recommit to investigations and government operations
- 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.
Clarifies the qualification of member items, authorizes the review of violations of the qualification of member items, and requiring that member items be fully itemized
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Sandy Galef
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S7007A
Title of bill
An act to amend the legislative law, in relation to clarifying the appropriation and qualification of member items and authorizes the legislative ethics commission to review violations of the qualification of member items; and to amend the state finance law, in relation to requiring that all member items be fully itemized
Purpose or general idea of bill
To prevent conflicts of interest in the distribution of member item funds, increase transparency of the member item process, and ensure that member item funds are used efficiently.
Summary of specific provisions
* Defines the term "member item"
* Provides that no member item shall be distributed when a conflict of interest exists between the legislator or the governor designating the member item and the potential recipient.
* Defines the term "conflict of interest."
* Requires each legislator or governor to sign a conflict of interest form under perjury of law.
* Provides that each member of the assembly and senate shall receive the same allocation as the other members in their respective house.
* Provides that any state agency providing funding for member items evaluate the spending by the recipient to ensure that the money is being used for its intended purpose.
* Establishes detailed criteria to be followed when distributing member items.
* Requires recipients of a member item totaling $50,000 or more to file a final report with the New York State Attorney General
* Prior to submitting an application for a member item, potential recipients must meet pre-clearance standards as established by the Attorney General.
* All member items shall be listed separate and apart from the entire state budget.
Justification
Currently, the member item process is neither equitable, open or efficient. This bill would add fairness, transparency, and accountability to a broken system. Clearly, the process is unfair; some legislators receive large amounts of funding for their districts, while others receive little or no funding. There is no rational basis for this system. Furthermore, the current system does not take adequate measures to ensure that member item funds are used appropriately. This bill would go to great lengths to establish standards to ensure that member item funds are used effectively for
projects that have a public purpose. Finally, the bill would seek to make the member item process more open by requiring publication of important member item information at least 24 hours prior to the approval of the state budget.
We should hold ourselves, and our colleagues, accountable to the residents of New York. Member items are paid for with taxpayer money. The current member item system is full of waste and scandal. This legislation would help fix the broken system. It is particularly important now, with the state facing a fiscal crisis, that we insist on integrity of the member item process.
Prior legislative history
New legislation.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.