Requires director of the budget to compile and make public a report showing cash disbursements made on behalf of each entity during the preceding 6 months

1 Co-sponsor

• Tony Avella

BILL NUMBER:S1073A

Title of bill

An act to amend the state finance law, in relation to agency expenditure reporting

Purpose

The purpose of this legislation is to require each State agency, covered authority and the Judiciary to make public an expenditure report itemizing all cash disbursements made during the appropriate reporting period.

Summary of provisions

Section One: Requires the Director of the Budget on or before May 15 and November 15 of each year to compile and make public an expenditure report for each State agency, covered authority and the Judiciary and any 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit corporation affiliated with the State University of New York showing all cash disbursements made by or on behalf of each entity during the preceding six months ending March 31 and September 30 respectively.

This compilation shall be based upon actual cash disbursements as recorded by the office of the State Comptroller, New York State vouchers and payroll forms submitted by each State agency, covered authority or the Judiciary. Cash disbursements related to personal service expenses and non-personal service expenses shall be itemized and broken down in detail.

Section Two: The effective date of this legislation shall be on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall become law.

Justification

This legislation is necessary to permit the public a greater awareness of the internal financial workings of each State agency, covered authority and the Judiciary.

While it requires the Director of the Budget to compile certain data pertaining to expenditures. this effort will promote openness in government and financial accountability by the agencies and the Judiciary to the public.

Disclosure of these expenditures should also enable the Legislature and the State Comptroller's Office to more closely monitor the operation of these agencies and will provide a resource document for the future to help determine if the purposes of State government are being met on a semiannual basis by the covered entities.

Legislative history

2008: S.6358 Passed Senate 62-0; 2009-10: Referred to Senate Finance Committee

Fiscal implications

This bill should result in significant cost savings to the state as it will keep the public and legislature fully and regularly appraised of the expenditures of state agencies and authorities.

Effective date

This Act would take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.