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Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
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.
Prohibits the use of funds and property of any public authority or commission to influence the outcome of an election, constitutional amendment or proposition
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Keith L.T. Wright
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S3173
Title of bill
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to prohibiting the use of authority funds and property to influence the outcome of an election
Summary of specific provisions
This bill amends the Public Authorities Law by adding a new section, 2890-a.
This bill will prohibit any member of a public authority or commission, of officer or employee thereof, from using or authorizing the use of authority funds or property for the purpose of influencing the vote or political action of any citizen or authority employee in relation to nomination or election to public or party office, or the outcome of any constitutional amendment, proposition or other question submitted to the voters at any election.
However, nothing in this bill will prohibit an authority or commission or Officer or employee thereof from renting authority or commission space if Such space is customarily rented, or make space available at no cost if such space is customarily made available at no cost, for political advertisements.
Justification
During the early 1970s public authority property was used to influence the passage of a transportation bond issue. The Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority placed large signs at tunnel entrances and exits urging the public to vote "YES" on this measure.
As a result, many irate citizens, including some who supported the bond issue, felt that public and quasi-public property should not be used to influence the outcome of an election. There is no attempt in the bill to prevent any authority official or employee from expressing a personal opinion on any political candidacy or constitutional amendment, proposition or question.
Prior legislative history
This bill was previously introduced.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
The first day of September following passage.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.