What's happening
This bill establishes a legislative committee in the New York State Assembly to assess and promote racial equity impacts of all proposed legislation.
Why it matters
Requires all proposed legislation to undergo a racial equity impact assessment. , aiming to proactively identify and minimize unintended negative effects on communities of color before laws are passed.
Creates a committee whose membership reflects New York's racial diversity and includes both majority and minority leaders. , increasing the likelihood that a variety of perspectives will be considered in legislative review.
Empowers the committee to hold public hearings and solicit input from racial equity experts and community members. , giving marginalized communities a direct voice in how laws are shaped and evaluated.
Mandates a broad review of state policies, programs, and budget priorities for racial equity alignment. , potentially leading to systemic changes beyond just new laws—addressing gaps, inconsistencies, and inefficiencies across government.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
13 Co-sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Enacting clause stricken
- Referred to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental operations
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5851
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 16, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. SEPULVEDA -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT relating to establishing a legislative committee on racial equity in the New York state assembly
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. a. There is hereby created the legislative committee on racial equity in the New York state assembly. The committee shall provide a racial equity impact assessment on all legislation that is reported favorably to the assembly. The committee shall solicit input from members of the public, especially those individuals with expertise related to racial equity issues, to aid the committee in its work.
b. The committee shall consist of the assembly majority leader, assembly minority leader, and ten members appointed by the speaker of the assembly who are representative of the racial diversity that exists in New York state. Any vacancies occurring among the members of the committee shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment.
c. The committee shall (1) prepare a racial equity impact assessment on all legislation that is reported favorably to the assembly to minimize unanticipated adverse consequences by utilizing resources that have a: (i) history of expertise and positive outcomes in racial equity; and (ii) a deep understanding of ameliorating disproportionate outcomes and unintended costs; (2) hold a hearing on any matter relating to the functions of the committee; (3) identify state policies and actions that, in conjunction with public and private partners and in support of racial equity, can work to achieve conditions of such; (4) review and make recommendations to align state statutes, regulations, programs, services and budgetary priorities; (5) search for any interdepartmental gaps, inconsistencies and inefficiencies in the implementation or attainment of the state policies and actions; (6) identify any new laws, regulations, programs, services, and budgetary priorities that are needed to
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09069-03-7
A. 5851 2
ensure and promote desired conditions of racial equity; (7) serve as an informational resource for the assembly; and (8) perform other activities, including public awareness.
d. The committee shall have the same powers as other standing or select committees of the legislature.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.