Creates an internet website to discuss and introduce issues and ideas to the government of this state and to provide for the creation, viewing and signing of petitions

3 Co-sponsors

• Leroy Comrie
• Marc Panepinto
• Bill Perkins

BILL NUMBER:S4358

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the creation of an internet website to discuss and introduce issues and ideas to the government of this state and to provide for the creation, viewing and signing of petitions

Purpose

"The People of the State of New York" an internet website that will allow constituents to: browse open petitions, create petitions and add signatures to petitions in regards to specific issues within New York State. If the petition meets the requirement of 2,500 signatures a response must be made by the executive or any state agency that the executive designates to provide such response.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 31-a to read as follows:

§ 31-a. The people of the State of New York; internet website. 1. The department shall, in consultation with the office of information technology services, develop and maintain an internet website for the purpose of providing the people of this state with the opportunity to voice opinions, create and sign petitions, and otherwise discuss and introduce issues and ideas to the government of this state. Such internet website shall be called " The People of the State of New York" and shall use as its model the "we the People" internet website implemented and maintained by the executive branch of the federal government. Such internet website shall provide:

a. a platform for the people of this state to create, view, respond to and sign petitions;

b. a blog maintained by the executive;

c. responses to petitions pursuant to subdivision two of this section; and

d. any additional information the executive deems relevant.

2. Upon the creation of a petition on the internet website developed and maintained pursuant to subdivision one of this section, any person in this state may sign such petition as a method of demonstrating such person's agreement with the content of such petition.Any petition that receives two thousand five hundred or more signatures shall be provided with a response on or before the sixtieth day after such total of two thousand five hundred signatures was reached. Such response shall be:

a. made by the executive, or by any state agency that the executive designates to provide such response;

b. made in writing;

1. c. posted on the The People of State of New York Internet website.

Justification

Throughout our history, Americans have used petitions as a way to join together around issues they care about. This new platform would give all New Yorkers a way to create and sign petitions on a range of issues affecting our state much like the federal "We the People Website". If a petition gathers 2,500 online signatures, it would be reviewed by the executive, or by any state agency that the executive designates, to provide an official response. It would also assist our lawmakers in addressing the needs of their constituents by seeing what the community at large thinks about specific issues. Giving all New Yorkers a way to engage their government.

Prior legislative history

NEW

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law, provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date. Is authorized to be made and completed on or before such date.