What's happening
This bill makes the Long Island Power Authority fully subject to the Freedom of Information Law and requires public disclosure of third-party power purchase agreements.
Why it matters
Increases transparency and accountability. By making the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) fully subject to the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), the bill ensures the public can scrutinize LIPA’s operations, decision-making, and use of public resources.
Mandates disclosure of power contracts. The bill requires LIPA to make all third-party power purchase agreements fully available for public inspection and copying, without redacting information under traditional exemptions for trade secrets or competitive interests.
Limits LIPA’s discretion to withhold information. Specifically prohibits LIPA from using FOIL’s “trade secret” exception to keep power purchase agreements confidential, prioritizing public knowledge over private business confidentiality in these cases.
Potential impact on energy rates and policy debates. Public access to these agreements could reveal cost structures, contract terms, and procurement practices, giving ratepayers, watchdog groups, and policymakers more information to debate the fairness and effectiveness of LIPA’s energy purchasing decisions.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Open LIPA Contract Records
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
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 LIPA Power Contracts
In Senate Committee · Energy And Telecommunications · Sponsor Kenneth P. LaValle
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 5055 A. 7052
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
April 4, 2019
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the applicability of the freedom of information law to the Long Island Power Authority and the disclosure of third party power purchase agreements
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Sections 1020-kk, 1020-ll and 1020-ll of the public authorities law, 1020-kk and 1020-ll as renumbered by chapter 520 of the laws of 2018, and 1020-ll as renumbered by chapter 415 of the laws of 2017, are renumbered sections 1020-xx, 1020-yy and 1020-zz and a new section 1020-kk is added to read as follows:
§ 1020-kk. Authority subject to freedom of information law. 1. The authority shall be subject to the provisions of article six of the public officers law relating to the freedom of information law.
2. Power purchase agreements with third parties shall be subject to full disclosure. The authority shall make such contracts available for public inspection and copying. The authority shall not determine that such agreements are exempt from disclosure in full or in part, pursuant to paragraph (d) of subdivision two of section eighty-seven of the public officers law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10428-01-9
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.