What's happening
This bill requires state agencies to provide and update subject matter lists of records, make them publicly available, and submit them to the committee on open government.
Why it matters
Increases transparency by mandating agencies to provide and regularly update detailed subject matter lists of all records they hold, regardless of whether those records are publicly accessible. This gives the public a better understanding of what information exists within state agencies, potentially making it easier to request or research government records.
Strengthens accountability by requiring agencies to send their current subject matter lists to the state’s Committee on Open Government, and for the Committee to publicly identify agencies that fail to comply. This creates a clear incentive for agencies to maintain up-to-date records and exposes non-compliance.
Expands public access by requiring agencies to make these lists available online (if they have a website) and to provide copies without charge upon request, with specific accommodations for inmates in correctional facilities. This reduces barriers for citizens and journalists seeking to understand or access government records, while balancing practical concerns for correctional institutions.
Promotes regular review and improvement of records management within state agencies, as the annual update requirement means agencies must periodically audit and organize their record holdings. This could enhance organizational efficiency and responsiveness to public information requests.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Make Agency Records Lists Public
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental operations
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
841
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 11, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. SIMOTAS, LUPARDO, MOSLEY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the public officers law, in relation to the availability of subject matter lists of records in the possession of a state agency
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 3 of section 87 of the public officers law, as amended by chapter 499 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
(c) a reasonably detailed current list by subject matter of all records in the possession of the agency, whether or not available under this article. Each agency shall update its subject matter list annually, and the date of the most recent update shall be conspicuously indicated on the list. Each state agency as defined in subdivision four of this section shall provide a copy of its current list without charge to a person who requests it, and shall transmit a copy of its current list to the committee on open government within thirty days of updating such list. Each such state agency that maintains a website shall post its current list on its website [and such posting shall be linked to the website of the committee on open government. Any such agency that does not maintain a website shall arrange to have its list posted on the website of the committee on open government]. In its annual report to the governor and the legislature, the committee on open government shall identify any state agency that has not transmitted an updated subject matter list as required by this paragraph.
§ 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of section one of this act, the department of corrections and community supervision shall not be required to make copies of its current list of all records by subject matter available to inmates without charge, provided that one or more copies of such list is available to inmates without charge and provided
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01553-01-9
A. 841 2
that one or more copies of such list is available to inmates for review at every correctional facility inmate law library.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law; provided, however, that the committee on open government shall not be required to identify any state agency that has not transmitted an updated subject matter list in its first annual report subsequent to such date.
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.