Relates to the distribution of the state register

BILL NUMBER:S4818A

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to distribution of the state register; and to repeal certain provisions of the executive law relating thereto

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill would reduce state expenditures by eliminating requirements to provide free hard copies of the State Register to entities that prefer to access the free online version.

Summary of provisions

Bill §1 repeals paragraph (c) of subdivision 1 of §148 of the Executive Law, requiring the Department of State to write annually to city, town and village clerks to advise them that they may receive a copy of the weekly State Register upon written request of the governing body.

Bill §2 amends subdivisions 2 and 3 of §148 and adds a new subdivision 4, providing that (a) the requirement to provide a free copy of the weekly Register to each state agency and legislator may be dispensed with upon request of the recipient, and (b) the authorization to charge a fee for the Register applies only to the paper version - the statute is amended to explicitly recognize the availability at no cost of an online version of the publication.

Effects of present law which this bill would alter

Currently, the Department of State is required to provide written notice to city, village and town clerks advising them that they receive the weekly hard-copy Register upon written request of the governing body, and is required to provide such copies to agencies and legislators. Although there is no statutory provision requiring it, the online version of the Register has been available without charge since 2003.

Justification

The Executive Law §102 contains requirements for free distribution of the paper version of the weekly State Register (listing rulemaking actions and other public notices) that predate the creation of a free online version of the publication. Currently, anyone can view the State Register without charge at http://www.dos.state.ny.us/info/register.htm.

This bill will enable the Department to conserve state resources and reduce paper waste by eliminating an annual mailing to city, town and village clerks to advise them of how to request paper copies of the publication. Executive Law §148(1) (a) will continue to allow them to receive these copies upon written request, but they can be informed of this in less costly ways. The bill will also save money and paper

by allowing discontinuance of print subscriptions at the request of agencies or individual legislators.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

Savings to the Department of State from reduced clerical and mailing costs.

Effective date

Immediately.