Relates to meetings and absences of the board of regents

1 Co-sponsor

• William J. Larkin Jr.

BILL NUMBER:S6671A

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to meetings and absences of the board of regents

Purpose

This bill would require the Board of Regents to give notice of their agenda several days before a scheduled meeting.

Summary of provisions

Section 1: Section 1 amends section 204 of the Education Law to require the Board of Regents to put their official agenda on the Board's official website 7 days in advance. Such notice of time, place, and agenda shall be distributed via the board's official Internet website and specifically distributed by United States postal to all regents at their usual addresses. An agenda for a regular scheduled meeting of the board shall include a list of all items to be considered with a description of the subject matter of such items to be considered at least three days in advance of such meeting; provided, however, in an instance of a health or safety emergency, additional items may be added to the agenda with less than three days notice. The board shall use best efforts in an instance of a health or public safety emergency to make public the agenda prior to the meeting. An agenda for special meetings of the board of regents shall be made public at least three days prior to such meeting; provided, however, in an instance of a health or safety emergency, additional items may be added to the agenda with less than three days notice.

A summary of committee reports, any other minutes, and attendance of the board of regents for either regular or special meetings shall be electronically available on the board of regents website at the close of each board meeting. The video recording of any regular full board meeting shall be posted no later than five days following the meeting of the board. Any meeting summaries and actions taken shall be posted on the board's website within five days of approval by the board and shall remain on the regents' website for a minimum of ten years. If any regents fails to attend three consecutive meetings without a satisfactory excuse, that regent may be deemed to have resigned.

Section 2: Section 2 makes the bill effective the ninetieth day after it shall become law.

Justification

The NYS Board of Regents should hold itself to the highest level of transparency. Allowing the agenda to be given ahead of time would allow the stakeholders on several educational issues the appropriate time to respond and discuss the issues. This would encourage more involvement from the public and would foster an improved dialogue between both the Board of Regents and other stakeholders in education.

Legislative history

2013: Senate: bill not introduced / Assembly: Passed Assembly 2012: Senate: Higher Education / Assembly: Education

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become law.