What's happening
This bill expands intergovernmental relations councils to include public benefit corporations and updates language regarding their powers and membership.
Why it matters
Expanding council membership to include public benefit corporations. means more state-affiliated entities (like transit authorities, housing agencies, etc.) can formally collaborate with local governments, potentially leading to broader and more integrated regional solutions for public services.
Switching from “municipal” to “public” services and “members”. in several places broadens the scope of what these councils can address and who can participate, making it easier for a wider array of governmental and quasi-governmental organizations to work together on shared problems.
Adding explicit authority to “implement” recommendations. (not just study or suggest) gives these councils more practical power, making them potentially more effective at driving real changes in how services are delivered, shared, or improved.
Modernizing language (e.g., “chairperson” instead of “chairman”; inclusion of services alongside goods for joint purchasing). reflects a move toward inclusivity and the realities of contemporary government collaboration, which can help councils operate more efficiently and attract a broader range of participants and ideas.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Council Powers and Members
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to local government
- Referred to local government
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3123
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 19, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, in relation to members and powers of intergovernmental relations councils
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 239-n of the general municipal law, as amended by chapter 728 of the laws of 1961, the section heading, the opening paragraph and paragraph a of subdivision 1 and subdivisions 2 and 3 as amended and paragraph h of subdivision 1 as added by chapter 203 of the laws of 1983, paragraphs f and g of subdivision 1 as amended and paragraph e of subdivision 1 as added by chapter 96 of the laws of 1962 and paragraphs i, j and k of subdivision 1 as added by chapter 605 of the laws of 1993, is renumbered section 239-nnn and is amended to read as follows:
§ 239-nnn. Intergovernmental relations councils. 1. Any county outside the city of New York, city, town, village, school district, board of cooperative educational services, [or] fire district or public benefit corporation or any combination thereof, may create by agreement an intergovernmental relations council to strengthen local governments and to promote efficient and economical provision of [local governmental] public services within or by such participating [municipalities] members, and to that end such council shall have power to:
a. Make surveys and studies and conduct research programs to aid in the solution of local governmental problems and in efforts to improve administration and services.
b. Provide for the distribution of information resulting from such surveys, studies and programs.
c. Consult and cooperate with appropriate state, municipal and public or private agencies in matters affecting municipal government.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06583-01-7
S. 3123 2
d. Devise, recommend and implement practical ways and means for obtaining greater economy and efficiency in the planning and provision of [municipal] public services [and make recommendations in accordance therewith].
e. Promote the general commercial, industrial and cultural welfare of the participating [municipalities] members.
f. Otherwise promote strong and effective local government, public health, safety, morals and general welfare by means of local and intercommunity planning or performance of [municipal] public services and governmental functions.
g. Employ such persons and adopt such rules and regulations as shall be necessary and proper to effectuate the purposes of this section.
h. Provide a forum for local governments to explore and develop areas for [municipal] cooperative activities pursuant to [article five-G of] this chapter.
i. Operate as a purchasing consortium, where authorized by participating [municipalities] members, for the purpose of obtaining economies through joint bidding and purchasing.
j. Purchase and make available to participating [municipalities] members, where authorized by participating [municipalities] members, goods [and], equipment and services, including but not limited to computer hardware and software.
k. Gather and make available information on surplus goods and equipment for sale or lease.
2. The participating members of an intergovernmental relations council shall adopt by-laws to govern its activities and shall elect from their own number a [chairman] chairperson and secretary and other necessary officers to serve for such period as the participating members shall decide.
3. The board of supervisors of a county, the appropriate officials of a city, the governing body of a school district, board of cooperative educational services or fire district, the board of trustees of a village, [or] the town board of a town or the members or board of a public benefit corporation, is hereby authorized to include annually in the budget and raise by taxation in such county, city, school district, village or town a sum to meet all or an appropriate share of the actual and necessary expenses of establishing, maintaining and continuing such intergovernmental relations council.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general municipal law, in relation to members and powers of intergovernmental relations councils
Purpose
Allows for public benefit corporations to be members of intergovernmental relations councils, as well as giving these councils a broader scope of authority and responsibility.
Justification
This bill would allow for counties in New York to achieve greater economic efficiency by extending the powers of intergovernmental councils to recommend services which ensure quality goods, equipment and services at the best possible price. Currently, although there is law to allow for intergovernmental councils, public benefit organizations are not listed among those groups which may apply for membership on the council. Also, the law currently reads that only goods and equipment may be recommended by the council, and the law would be broadened to include services to ensure that counties are receiving the most economically efficient services that they can. Finally, current law states that the council may only devise practical ways to obtain greater economical efficiency, but not recommend or implement them. This amendment would give them the power to do so.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.1778 - Referred to Local Government 2013-14: S.3196 - Died in Local Gov't 2011-12: S.3425 - Referred to Local Government 2009-10: S.181/A.3107 - Died in Local Governments in Senate and Assembly 2007-08: S.4253/A.6844 - Passed Senate Both Years, Died in Ways & Means
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.