What's happening
This bill establishes a legislative committee on racial equity in the New York State Senate to assess the racial equity impact of legislation.
Why it matters
Brings racial equity analysis into the lawmaking process. By requiring racial equity impact assessments for all legislation reported favorably to the Senate, this committee would ensure that lawmakers systematically consider how new laws might affect different racial groups, potentially reducing unintended negative consequences.
Centers expertise and public input. The committee is required to seek input from the public, especially from those with expertise in racial equity, which could make policy decisions more informed and responsive to community needs.
Promotes alignment and accountability across government. The committee’s role includes reviewing and recommending changes to state statutes, regulations, programs, services, and budget priorities to better support racial equity. This could lead to more coordinated and effective efforts to address disparities.
Creates an authoritative body for ongoing oversight. By granting the committee powers equivalent to other legislative committees, the bill establishes a lasting mechanism for hearings, investigations, and public awareness on racial equity, rather than treating it as a one-time or peripheral issue.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Racial Equity Committee
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- 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.
Create Racial Equity Committee
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Victor M. Pichardo
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8703
IN SENATE
May 10, 2018
Introduced by Sen. SEPULVEDA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations
AN ACT relating to establishing a legislative committee on racial equity in the New York state senate
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. a. There is hereby created the legislative committee on racial equity in the New York state senate. The committee shall provide a racial equity impact assessment on all legislation that is reported favorably to the senate. The committee shall solicit input from members of the public, especially those individuals with expertise related to racial equity issues, to aid the committee in its work.
b. The committee shall consist of the senate majority leader, senate minority leader, and ten members appointed by the temporary president of the senate who are representative of the racial diversity that exists in New York state. Any vacancies occurring among the members of the committee shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment.
c. The committee shall (1) prepare a racial equity impact assessment on all legislation that is reported favorably to the senate to minimize unanticipated adverse consequences by utilizing resources that have a: (i) history of expertise and positive outcomes in racial equity; and (ii) a deep understanding of ameliorating disproportionate outcomes and unintended costs; (2) hold a hearing on any matter relating to the functions of the committee; (3) identify state policies and actions that, in conjunction with public and private partners and in support of racial equity, can work to achieve conditions of such; (4) review and make recommendations to align state statutes, regulations, programs, services and budgetary priorities; (5) search for any interdepartmental gaps, inconsistencies and inefficiencies in the implementation or attainment of the state policies and actions; (6) identify any new laws, regulations, programs, services, and budgetary priorities that are needed to ensure and promote desired conditions of racial equity; (7) serve as an
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15691-01-8
S. 8703 2
informational resource for the senate; and (8) perform other activities, including public awareness.
d. The committee shall have the same powers as other standing or select committees of the legislature.
§ 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 relating to establishing a legislative committee on racial equity in the New York state senate
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to provide a racial equity impact assessment on all legislation that is favorably to the senate.
Summary of provisions
Section 1a. There is hereby created the legislative committee on racial equity in the New York State Senate. The committee shall provide a racial equity impact assessment on all legislation that is reported favorably to the assembly. The committee shall solicit input from members of the public, especially those individuals with expertise related to racial equity issues, to aid the committee in its work.
Read the full memo (604 words)
b. The committee shall consist of the public senate majority leader, senate minority leader, and ten members appointed by the president of the Senate who are representative of the racial diversity that exists in New York State. Any vacancies occurring among the members of the commit- tee shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment.
c. The committee shall (1) prepare a racial equity impact assessment on all legislation that is reported favorably to the assembly to minimize unanticipated adverse consequences by utilizing resources that have a:
(i) history of expertise and positive outcomes in racial equity; and
(ii) a deep understanding of ameliorating disproportionate outcomes and unintended costs; (2) hold a hearing on any matter relating to the func- tions of the committee; (3) identify state policies and actions that, in conjunction with public and private partners and in support of racial equity, can work to achieve conditions of such; (4) review and make recommendations to align state statutes, regulations, programs, services and budget priorities; (S) search for any interdepartmental gaps, incon- sistencies and inefficiencies in the implementation or attainment of the state policies and actions; (6) identify any new laws, regulations, programs, services, and budgetary priorities that are needed to ensure and promote desired conditions of racial equity; (7) serve as an infor- mational resource for the assembly; and (8) perform other activities, including public awareness.
d. The committee shall have the same powers as other standing or select committees of the legislature.
Difference between original and amended version
N/A
Justification
This initiative provides New York with a mechanism to ensure that proposed legislation will consider racial equity. Numerous studies (such as Clark, Tims) have shown the disproportionate negative outcomes for people of color across systems and while legislation is often enacted with the intention of ameliorating social issues, it often, does not recognize the unintended consequences for people of color or the inher- ently embedded racial inequities faced by such populations. New Yorkers have firsthand knowledge of the differential and negative impact on communities of color as a result of legislation and policies that aimed at tackling problems, but resulted in negative outcomes with intergener- ational ramifications. During the 2016 election, the 1994 Crime Bill became a focal issue directly linked to the disproportionate negative outcomes and mass incarnation of people of color. A racial equity impact assessment would have examined potential differential outcomes embedded in the proposed legislation prior to it becoming law.
Economic and Environmental Impact Statements are commonly used for legislative and policy, systemic, decision making. Such assessments are used to evaluate potential harm and ensure fiscal and environmental protections in the face of limited resources. In the same fashion, the REIA will be a vital tool for preventing institutional racism and for identifying new options to remedy long-standing inequities.
Prior legislation history
New Bill
Fiscal implications
N/A
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.