What's happening
This bill requires state agencies to make their payroll records available to the public, overriding any conflicting provisions.
Why it matters
Increases government transparency. by explicitly requiring all state agencies to make payroll records publicly accessible, making it harder for agencies to withhold this information under other provisions.
Overrides conflicting laws. within the same article, ensuring that payroll data must be disclosed even if other sections previously allowed for exceptions or redactions.
Empowers the public, journalists, and watchdog groups. to better scrutinize government spending and potential abuses regarding salaries, overtime, and hiring practices.
May improve accountability. by deterring waste, fraud, or favoritism within state agencies due to increased public scrutiny of payroll records.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Make Payroll Records Public
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- 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 Agency Payroll Records
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Amy Paulin
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5147
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 9, 2017
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations
AN ACT to amend public officers law, in relation to making agency payroll records available
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The opening paragraph of subdivision 3 of section 87 of the public officers law, as added by chapter 933 of the laws of 1977, is amended to read as follows:
[Each] Notwithstanding any other provision in this article, each agency shall maintain and make available:
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06154-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend public officers law, in relation to making agency payroll records available
Purpose
To ensure that the names, titles, salaries and public office addresses of public employees are clearly accessible to the public.
Summary of provisions
Section one amends subdivision three of section eighty-seven of the public officers law to clarify that notwithstanding any other provision in article six, each agency shall maintain and make available the records specified in subdivision three.
Section two provides that that this act shall take effect on the sixti- eth day after it shall have become a law.
Justification
Section 87(3)(b) of FOIL already directs agencies to maintain a "record setting forth the name, public office address, title and salary of every officer or employee of the agency." In fact, this requirement has been in place for more than thirty years. While agencies have routinely disclosed this information, explicitly stating that the records must be made available will eliminate any questions regarding disclosure and ensure that the records are clearly accessible to the public.
Legislative history
2017: S.5147 - Referred to Investigations & Governmental Operations / A.50 - Referred to Investigations & Governmental Operations A.1433 of 2015 and 2016, referred to governmental operations. Same as S.3363 of 2015 and 2016, referred to investigations and govern- ment operations A.2119 of 2013 and 2014, referred to governmental operations. A.6995 of 2011 and 2012, referred to governmental operations. S.2483 of 2013 and 2014, committed to rules in both years. S.4505 of 2011and 2012; 2011 referred to investigations and government operations and 2012 passed senate.
Fiscal implication
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.