What's happening
This bill directs the committee on open government to study and report on proactive disclosure to improve government transparency in New York.
Why it matters
Shifts focus from reactive to proactive transparency. The bill explores moving beyond a system where citizens must request government records, aiming to make agencies publish more information automatically.
Potential impact on public access and oversight. By studying mandatory proactive disclosure, the legislation could lead to significantly broader and easier access to government records, enhancing the public’s ability to monitor government actions.
Considers costs and savings. The required study will analyze not only the benefits to transparency but also the financial implications for government agencies, balancing openness with practical resource management.
May influence future legislative reforms. The findings and recommendations could set the stage for substantial changes in New York’s Freedom of Information Law, potentially shaping how transparency is approached statewide.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study Open Government Disclosure
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Assembly Member · Assembly District 25
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental 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.
Study Proactive Disclosure Rules
In Senate Committee · Investigations And Government Operations · Sponsor Brian Kavanagh
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5747
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 14, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ROZIC -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT authorizing and directing the committee on open government to study proactive disclosure as a means of increasing transparency and access to government information
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative findings. The legislature finds that the current freedom of information law, enacted in 1977, has served as a critical vehicle under which the public has gained access to records of state and local governmental entities. The legislature further finds that the freedom of information law places the burden on the individual to request information from an agency, but that the use of current information technology, combined with a commitment to proactive disclosure, has the potential to provide information to the public to an even greater degree than does the current law.
§ 2. The New York state committee on open government is hereby authorized and directed to: (a) study the feasibility of requiring agencies, as defined in subdivision 3 of section 86 of the public officers law, to proactively disclose documents that are available under article 6 of the public officers law; (b) make specific findings and legislative recommendations relating to mandatory proactive disclosure by agencies; (c) estimate the costs or savings of proactive disclosure; and (d) report its findings to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly no later than January 31, 2022.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01291-01-9
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.