Establishes the commission on public authority reform to study and investigate reducing the number of public authorities and their subsidiaries

2 Co-sponsors

• William J. Larkin Jr.
• Michael H. Ranzenhofer

BILL NUMBER:S1964

Title of bill

An act establishing a temporary state commission to study and investigate reducing the number of public authorities and their subsidiaries in the state of New York; making an appropriation therefor; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Purpose

To establish a commission to study reducing the number of public authorities in the state.

Summary of provisions

Section one establishes the commission on public authority reform.

Section two lays out the make up of commission members.

Section three outlines the specific duties of the commission.

Section four describes the powers of the commission.

Section five sets forth that the commission shall file a report of its findings relative to the elimination, dissolution consolidation or merger of public authorities and their subsidiaries with the Governor, and Senate and Assembly Leaders; and shall issue a binding recommendation which shall be presented to the legislature to completely accept or reject.

Section six makes an appropriation of $100,000 for the expenses of the commission.

Section seven is the effective date which is immediate provided that this act shall expire and be deemed repealed on the first day next succeeding the date of the submission of the report as required in section 5.

Justification

The May 17, 2006 Report of the New York State Commission on Public Authority Reform contained numerous suggestions to improve the governance, operations and disclosure of public authorities, to build upon and improve the Public Authorities Accountability Act signed by the Governor in January of 2006. Many of these suggestions are set forth in current bills in both the Assembly and the Senate. The Commission also had been charged with identifying appropriate opportunities for the elimination, dissolution, consolidation or merger of public authorities and their subsidiaries. The Commission recommended further in-depth investigation before implementation of any significant changes.

To that end, this bill is necessary and will create a temporary commission with the sole charge of investigating opportunities for the elimination, dissolution, consolidation or merger of public authorities and their subsidiaries. Under this legislation, the commission will be charged with presenting its recommendations to the Governor, Senate and Assembly by December 31, 2014. The temporary commission will also have a target goal of reducing the number of public authorities by 50%, and reducing the number of subsidiaries by 75%.

Legislative history

2011-12 S. 3643 - Finance Committee.

Fiscal implications

Approximately $100,000.

Effective date

Immediate, with provisions.