Relates to the composition of the port authority of New York and New Jersey and disclosure of certain information

BILL NUMBER:S6863

Title of bill

An act to amend chapter 154 of the laws of 1921 relating to the port authority of New York and New Jersey, in relation to the composition of the port authority of New York and New Jersey and disclosure of certain information

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill will depoliticize the port authority by setting term limits for board members and ensuring that members are appointed according to their professional qualifications and experience. This bill will also allow the Executive Director of the Authority to appoint his own Deputy Executive Director. Along with changes to term limits and appointments, this bill will make the Authority more transparent by making key information about board members, including potential conflicts of interest, publicly available the Authority's website.

Summary of specific provisions

Amends § 14(1) of chapter 154 of the laws of 1921; ----

Section 1 of article XIV would amend would establish the port authority to elect a chairman, vice-chair-man and appoint officers from within its ranks and enable the deputy executive director to be appointed by the executive director.

Section 2 and 3 of article IV creates a board of 12 commissioners six residents of New York and six residents of New Jersey with four being citizens of New York City and four from the New Jersey portion of the district with each chosen by their respective state for a term of five years. Each commissioner will also be selected based on qualifications and knowledge of the port authority while any conflict of interest shall be posted on the authority's website no less than one month prior to appointment or two week in the case of filling a vacancy. Conflicts of interest will also be presented to all groups involved in making such appointments.

Section 1 and 3 of article VII-A establishes the means to file a copy of the minutes taken at a public meeting with the temporary president and minority leader of the senate and the speaker and minority leader of the assembly, the chairman of the assembly ways and means committee and the chairman of the senate finance committee of the state of New York and the president, minority leader and secretary of the senate and the speaker, minority leader and clerk of the general assembly of the state of New Jersey as well as same day filing provided to each state's governor.

Section 4 of article VII-A also puts into effect a severability clause which states if any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section or part of this act shall be adjudged invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section or part thereof directly involved n the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered.

Justification

The Port Authority is an important entity and its decisions impact millions of people. By setting a fixed, single term of 5 years, board members can make decisions with the best interest of the Port Authority in mind, rather than with a focus on maintaining their appointment or reappointment to a second term. Through the appointment of commissioners in accordance to their qualifications and experience, the process is depoliticized. The publishing of minutes from public meetings will create a more transparent system which will in turn provide better insight into the workings of the authority.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.