What's happening
This bill amends the definition of "public body" under the open meetings law to include advisory committees.
Why it matters
Expanding open meetings requirements to advisory committees increases government transparency. , as these groups often influence important decisions but previously may have operated without public scrutiny.
Citizens and stakeholders will now have greater access to the early stages of policy development. , since advisory committees’ discussions and recommendations can shape final outcomes.
Public accountability is strengthened. , as advisory committees must now notify the public, allow attendance, and keep records of their meetings, reducing the risk of decisions being made “behind closed doors.”
Organizations and officials will need to adjust procedures and training. , ensuring that advisory committees comply with the same open meetings laws as other public bodies, which could affect timelines and administrative workload.
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Who cares
Advisory committee members
The bill would expressly include advisory committees of public bodies in the Open Meetings Law’s definition of a public body.
State agencies and public corporations
Their advisory committees would be expressly covered by the definition, making their use of advisory bodies relevant to Open Meetings Law compliance.
Reporters and open-government advocates
The bill would give them explicit statutory language supporting Open Meetings Law coverage of advisory committees.
Headline styles
Open All Advisory Committees
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.361
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Referred to investigations and government operations
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.
Open Advisory Committees
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 3178 A. 2399
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
January 20, 2017
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the public officers law, in relation to the definition of a public body pursuant to the open meetings law
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 102 of the public officers law, as amended by chapter 704 of the laws of 1979 and such section as renumbered by chapter 652 of the laws of 1983, is amended to read as follows:
2. "Public body" means any entity, for which a quorum is required in order to conduct public business and which consists of two or more members, performing a governmental function for the state or for an agency or department thereof, or for a public corporation as defined in section sixty-six of the general construction law, or committee or subcommittee or advisory committee or other similar body of such public body.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07166-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public officers law, in relation to the definition of a public body pursuant to the open meetings law
Purpose
Relates to the definition of a public body pursuant to the open meetings law.
Summary of provisions
Subdivision 2 of section 102 of the public officers' law, as amended by chapter 704 of the laws of 1979 and such section as renumbered by chapter 652 of the laws of 1983 is amended.
Justification
Under current law, any public body that is comprised of public officers and possesses decision-making authority is subject to the open meetings law. However, many times local government officials appoint and/or create committees, often adversary in nature, who hold routine meetings and have legitimate guidelines and mission they must adhere to. These committees that are appointed by a public body are not subject to the open meetings law.
It is the goal of this legislation to create greater transparency with regard to government appointed entities who, by nature, advise said government on local matters.
Legislative history
2015-16 S.2105/A.3035; 2013-14 S.1853A/A.1455A; 2011-12 S.811; 2009-10 S.1720.
Fiscal implications
None to state.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.