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History
- Print number 236a
- Amend and recommit to investigations and government operations
- Referred 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.
Authorizes and directs the committee on open government to study proactive disclosure as a means of increasing transparency and access to government information
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor James F. Brennan
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S236A
Title of bill
An act in relation to authorizing and directing the committee on open government to study proactive disclosure as a means of increasing transparency and access to government information
Purpose
To authorize the State Committee on Open Government to conduct a feasibility study on requiring state and municipal agencies to proactively disclose documents that are available under Article 6 of the public officers law.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 sets forth the legislative findings and intent, section 2 authorizes the New York State Committee on Open Government to study and report on the following:
* The feasibility of requiring agencies as defined in subdivision 3 of section 86 of the public officer's law to proactively disclose documents available under Article 6 of the public officer's law.
* Specific findings and legislative recommendations relating to mandatory proactive disclosure by agencies.
* Estimated costs or savings of proactive disclosure.
Requires a report to the Governor, Temporary president of the Senate and Speaker of the Assembly no later than January 31, 2017.
Existing law
Article 6 of the Public Officers law set forth the Freedom of Information Law.
Justification
As information technology throughout the world continues to develop by leaps and bounds, the availability and ease of retrieval of information of information of all types has become more and more effortless.
The goal of the original Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) was to promote the public good by disclosing information as widely as possible and without impediment, but it has its limitations because of the burden that it places on the public to make requests for information. While some state and local records are already available electronically, this information has been made public in a haphazard and uncoordinated fashion.
The Legislature, through this bill, has the opportunity to study the feasibility of requiring agencies to pro actively disclose information in a responsible, comprehensive, coordinated, cost effective fashion. It requires the Committee on open Government to develop a plan for mandatory proactive disclosure which will allow for the utilization of the new technology to allow a secure conduit for the public to access vital public information and documents that are available under the public officers law.
Legislative history
2009-2010: S.3530A/A.7399A (Passed Senate 2009) 2012: Committed to Rules
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.