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History
- Referred to higher education
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 58–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.707
- Print number 3158a
- Amend and recommit to higher education
- Referred to higher education
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
Show 2 earlier actions
- 1st report cal.455
- Referred to higher education
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.
Relates to classification of community colleges and trustees of such colleges for the purposes of engaging in business or professional activities
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Ron Kim
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law and the public officers law, in relation to certain activities by members of a board of a community college
Purpose or general idea of bill
Under current law, community college boards of trustees are exempt from Section 73 of the Public Officers Law and the ban on gifts exceeding a nominal value. This bill would make members of the boards of trustees of the state's community colleges adhere to the gift limit of Section 73.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 6306 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 11 to deem that a community college be deemed a "state agency" and members of a board of trustees of a community college shall be deemed "state officers or employees" for the purposes of section seventy-three of the public officers law.
Paragraph (i) of subdivision 1 of section 73 of the Public Officers Law as amended by chapter 283 of the laws of 1996 is amended to include subparagraph (v) to include members of a board of trustees of a community college regardless of whether they receive compensation.
Justification
Over the years there have been many reforms to the Public Officers Law to restore the public's trust and confidence in government through the prevention of corruption, favoritism and undue influence. In 1987 the state passed the Ethics in Government Act, and in 1996 it was updated to include community college employees, as well as senior college employees. Community college boards of trustees were not included in the gift ban at that time.
Community college boards of trustees, however, have a tremendous amount of oversight over strategic and other plans for growth in both academic and physical areas. They also create operational and capital outlay budgets that are typically multi-million dollar. With the oversight of such large budgets and the contracts that are included within it, boards of trustees should abide by the Public Officers law gift ban so as to remove any perceived ethical issues or conflicts of interest.
Prior legislative history
This legislation was previously introduced.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.