What's happening
This bill requires the East Hampton town board to seek voter approval before entering long-term airport grant agreements of ten years or more.
Why it matters
Gives local voters a direct say in major airport decisions. By requiring a permissive referendum, the bill empowers East Hampton residents to approve or reject long-term airport grant agreements, ensuring community input on potentially controversial or impactful projects.
Increases transparency and accountability. The town board cannot quietly enter into long-term (10+ years) obligations with state or federal agencies; instead, major commitments must be made openly and with public consent, reducing the chance of backroom deals.
May affect airport operations and funding. Since many aviation grants come with long-term commitments, this requirement could slow down or complicate access to state and federal funding for airport improvements or expansions, potentially impacting local infrastructure and economic development.
Sets a local precedent for control over public assets. This approach could serve as a model for other municipalities seeking to maintain tighter local control over public infrastructure and limit automatic acceptance of outside funding tied to extended obligations.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Limit East Hampton Airport Grants
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A5523
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.1053
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to local government
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.
Limit Airport Grant Terms
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 4333 A. 5523
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
February 10, 2017
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Local Governments
AN ACT to provide that the town of East Hampton, county of Suffolk, may only enter into grant assurances or obligations where the term of such assurances or obligations are ten years or more with the state of New York or the United States, or any agency, or instrumentality thereof, for airport and aviation projects at the town airport or landing field upon the adoption of a resolution subject to permissive referendum
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the town board of the town of East Hampton may only enter into grant assurances or obligations where the term of such assurances or obligations are ten years or more with: (a) the state of New York; or (b) the United States, or any agency, or instrumentality thereof, in connection with airport and aviation projects at the town airport or landing field, upon the adoption of a resolution subject to permissive referendum, as provided by article 7 of the town law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09234-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to provide that the town of East Hampton, county of Suffolk, may only enter into grant assurances or obligations where the term of such assurances or obligations are ten years or more with the state of New York or the United States, or any agency, or instrumentality thereof, for airport and aviation projects at the town airport or landing field upon the adoption of a resolution subject to permissive referendum
Purpose
This legislation provides that Town of East Hampton may only enter into grant assurances or obligations with 10-year terms or more with the State of New York or the United States, or any agency, or instrumentality thereof, for airport and aviation projects at the town's airport or landing field upon the adoption of a resolution subject to permissive referendum
Summary of provisions
An act to provide that Town of East Hampton may only enter into grant assurances or obligations with 10-year terms or more with the State of New York or the United States, or any agency, or instrumentality thereof, for airport and aviation projects at the town's airport or landing field upon the adoption of a resolution subject to permissive referendum.
Justification
This legislation would provide that the Town of. East Hampton may only accept state or federal assistance for airport or aviation projects at the Town's airport with terms lasting 10 or more years upon the approval of a permissive referendum. If the Town were to accept federal or state aviation funds under these provisions, the Town would have to adhere to the applicable aviation law and regulations. Federal aviation grants can last up to twenty years. Therefore, there is an extraordinarily long-term impact on the community when any federal aviation grant is accepted. The entire community, not just town board members whose terms last only two years, should have a voice in whether or not to accept federal funds and nearly 20 years of federal rules and regulations in the Town of East Hampton.
Legislative history
2017: New Legislation
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
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.