What's happening
This bill allows the building inspector for the Town of Wilson, Niagara County, to live outside the town but within Niagara or an adjoining county.
Why it matters
Expands the pool of qualified candidates. for the building inspector role in Wilson, potentially allowing the town to hire inspectors with more experience or specialized skills, even if they do not reside in the town itself.
Could improve efficiency and responsiveness. in the town’s building department, as filling the position may become easier and faster, reducing gaps in oversight or delays in inspections.
Maintains local oversight by restricting eligibility. to residents of Niagara County or neighboring counties, balancing flexibility in hiring with continued regional accountability and familiarity with local issues.
Sets a precedent for similar exemptions. in other towns, which may prompt further legislative requests and debates about residency requirements for municipal officials in New York State.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Inspector Live Elsewhere
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 62
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A9646A
- Amended on third reading 7053a
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.941
- 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.
Let Inspector Live Outside Wilson
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Michael J. Norris
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7053--A Cal. No. 941
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 3, 2018
Introduced by Sen. ORTT -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government -reported favorably from said committee, ordered to first and second report, ordered to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading
AN ACT to amend the town law and the public officers law, in relation to authorizing the building inspector in the town of Wilson, county of Niagara, to reside outside such town
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 23 of the town law is amended by adding a new subdivision 32 to read as follows:
32. Notwithstanding subdivision one of this section, in the town of Wilson, Niagara county, the person performing the function of building inspector need not be an elector of such town. Provided, however, the person performing the function of building inspector in any other town shall be an elector of such town, unless otherwise provided by an act of the state legislature.
§ 2. Section 3 of the public officers law is amended by adding a new subdivision 67 to read as follows:
67. In the town of Wilson, Niagara county, the provisions of this section requiring a person to be a resident of the political subdivision or municipal corporation of the state for which he or she shall be chosen, or within which his or her official function is required to be exercised, shall not prevent a person from holding the office of building inspector of the town of Wilson, Niagara county; provided that said person resides in the county in which such town is located or an adjoining county within the state of New York. Provided, however, the person performing the functions of building inspector in any other town shall be a resident of such town, unless otherwise provided by law.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13537-03-8
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the town law and the public officers law, in relation to authorizing the building inspector in the town of Wilson, county of Niagara, to reside outside such town
Purpose or general idea of bill
This legislation would allow the Town of Wilson building inspector to reside outside the town.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends the Town Law to allow the Wilson Town building inspec- tor to not be an elector of the Town.
Section 2 amends the public officers law to remove the requirement that the Town of Wilson building inspector be a resident of the Town.
Justification
This legislation is at the request of the Town of Wilson. In recent years the Town has had continued difficulties in recruiting and retain- ing individuals to serve as their building inspector. Prior Towns have faced similar concerns and have secured exemptions from this law.
Prior legislative history
New Bill
Fiscal implications
EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.