What's happening
This bill requires certain public records scheduled for discussion at open meetings to be made available to the public at least 24 hours in advance.
Why it matters
Strengthens government transparency. by ensuring the public has meaningful, advance access to documents and records that will be discussed at open meetings, making it easier for residents to understand and participate in government decision-making.
Reduces last-minute surprises. by mandating that relevant records be posted or made available at least 24 hours before meetings, rather than potentially just at the meeting itself, giving interested parties time to review and prepare questions or comments.
Levels the playing field. for community members and advocacy groups who may not have the resources to quickly analyze documents released moments before or during a meeting, supporting more equitable public engagement.
Places clear responsibility on agencies. to proactively share materials when feasible, while still allowing flexibility by not requiring them to spend extra funds to comply, thus balancing transparency goals with resource limitations.
Albany, before your first meeting.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Release Meeting Records Early
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to governmental operations
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
11032
IN ASSEMBLY
October 7, 2020
Introduced by COMMITTEE ON RULES -- (at request of M. of A. Paulin) -read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the public officers law, in relation to requiring certain records which are the subject of a discussion conducted at an open meeting be made available to the public at least twenty-four hours prior thereto
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision (e) of section 103 of the public officers law, as added by chapter 603 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
(e) Agency records available to the public pursuant to article six of this chapter, as well as any proposed resolution, law, rule, regulation, policy or any amendment thereto, that is scheduled to be the subject of discussion by a public body during an open meeting shall be made available, upon request therefor, to the extent practicable as determined by the agency or the department, at least twenty-four hours prior to [or at] the meeting during which the records will be discussed. Copies of such records may be made available for a reasonable fee, determined in the same manner as provided therefor in article six of this chapter. If the agency in which a public body functions maintains a regularly and routinely updated website and utilizes a high speed internet connection, such records shall be posted on the website to the extent practicable as determined by the agency or the department, at least twenty-four hours prior to the meeting. An agency may, but shall not be required to, expend additional moneys to implement the provisions of this subdivision.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD17265-02-0
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.