What's happening
This bill changes the composition of the NYC Water Board to include each borough president, a mayoral appointee, and a governor appointee with water science experience.
Why it matters
Shifts power and representation. The bill restructures the NYC Water Board to include the borough presidents, giving each borough a direct voice in water policy decisions—potentially increasing accountability and ensuring that local concerns are more directly represented.
Diversifies appointment authority. By including both a mayoral appointee and a governor's appointee (with required water science expertise), the bill distributes appointment power across city and state leadership, which could reduce the influence of a single office and bring a wider range of perspectives to board decisions.
Prioritizes technical expertise. The explicit requirement for a governor-appointed board member with experience in water resource science addresses the need for informed, technically sound decisions in managing NYC’s complex and critical water system.
Implications for oversight and policy. These changes could lead to more transparent and varied oversight of water rates, infrastructure investments, and long-term planning, potentially affecting everything from water affordability to sustainability initiatives across the city.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Add Borough Presidents to Water Board
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.
Add Borough Presidents to Water Board
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Michael Cusick
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2262
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 23, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SANDERS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the membership of the board of directors of the New York city water board
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 1045-f of the public authorities law, as added by chapter 513 of the laws of 1984, is amended to read as follows:
2. The water board shall consist of seven members [appointed by the mayor] as follows: the borough president of each borough of the city of New York, the mayor or a public member appointed by the mayor and a public member appointed by the governor who has experience in the science of water resource development. Terms of office of the members shall be two years except that the terms of four of the board members first appointed shall be one year. [At least one member shall have experience in the science of water resource development.] No member shall be a director of the authority. The mayor shall appoint a chairman from among the members of the board. All members shall continue to hold office until their successors are appointed and qualified. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner provided for original appointments. Vacancies, occurring otherwise than by expiration of term of office, shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments for the unexpired terms.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05438-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the member- ship of the board of directors of the New York city water board
Purpose
To amend the New York City Water Board to include the five NYC Borough Presidents.
Summary of provisions
Section l.Subdivision 2 of section 1045-f of the public authorities law, as added by chapter 513 of the laws of 1984, is amended to include the borough president of each borough of the city of New York, the mayor or a public member appointed by the mayor and a public member appointed by the governor who has experience in the science of water resource devel- opment.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Existing law
There is currently no civil cause of action for workplace abuse.
Justification
Currently, the Water Board consists of seven members appointed by the Mayor. In addition, the Mayor appoints the Chairman from the members he selects for the Board. A majority of the members constitutes a quorum for the transaction of any business, including raising the water rate.
This legislation changes the composition of the Water Board to include the five Borough Presidents of New York city as part of the seven member Board. It will give fair representation on establishing fee rates on any future water hikes by including a voice from each Borough for input in discussions and having a vote at the table. City residents and busi- nesses will feel their individual concerns can be represented and taken into account during any negotiations that could result in a water rate hike.
Legislative history
01/06/16 Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
02/17/15 Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
2012: A.10291 - Died in Corporations, authorities and commissions.
Fiscal implications
None
Local fiscal implications
None
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.