Relates to enterprise shared service opportunities

Title of bill

An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to enterprise shared service opportunities

Purpose

The bill would further the State's ongoing interest to find efficiencies in carrying out governmental functions by authorizing and facilitating cooperation by and among State authorities through enterprise shared services agreements.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill would set forth the legislative intent of the bill, which recognizes the State's on-going interest in finding efficiencies in carrying out government functions through enterprise shared service opportunities.

Section 2 of the bill would create a new Public Authorities Law ("PAL") § 2882 to authorize State authorities to provide, cooperatively, any facility, service, activity or undertaking which each authority has the power to provide separately. It would authorize State authorities to enter into cooperative agreements for the performance among themselves of their respective functions, powers and duties for the provision of services or undertakings within their respective functions. An agreement entered into pursuant to this section shall not be deemed to be the result of a procurement that is not competitive. Moreover, nothing in this section would authorize a state authority to delegate its existing powers to any other authority.

Section 3 of the bill would make it effective immediately.

Justification

The State relies on State authorities to accomplish a wide array of functions, including, by way of example, financing, construction, environmental facilities, economic development, energy and energy research, transportation and disaster recovery. However, State authorities are not currently authorized to render services to each other in all instances.

This bill would encourage collaboration by State authorities by granting a general authorization for inter-governmental cooperation at the State authority level, thereby streamlining the efficient sharing of public authority resources and expertise for the benefit of the State's residents. Shared services and collaboration among public authorities can facilitate cost-effective solutions by removing roadblocks and promoting cooperation among and between State authorities to more effectively serve the residents of the State.

Prior legislative history

This is a new bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediately.