What's happening
This bill requires at least one trustee of the New York Power Authority to be a resident of Niagara County.
Why it matters
Ensures regional representation. By requiring that at least one trustee be a Niagara County resident, the bill aims to give the local community—home to major NYPA assets like the Niagara Power Project—a direct voice in key decisions, potentially leading to policies better aligned with local needs and interests.
Could impact resource allocation. Niagara County’s representation on the New York Power Authority board might influence how energy resources, economic development programs, and infrastructure investments are distributed, especially in Western New York.
May affect trust in state governance. The change could build public trust by addressing long-standing concerns that important state boards lack adequate representation from the communities most impacted by their decisions, setting a precedent for other state authorities.
Minimal disruption to overall board structure. The amendment does not increase the total number of trustees or change their powers, but instead specifies residency for at least one member, maintaining overall board function while adding a regional requirement.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Niagara Trustee on Power Board
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
278
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. ORTT -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the trustees of the power authority of New York state
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1003 of the public authorities law, as amended by chapter 766 of the laws of 2005, is amended to read as follows:
§ 1003. Trustees. 1. (a) The authority shall consist of seven trustees, five of whom shall serve respectively for terms of one, two, three, four and five years, to be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate. The sixth and seventh trustees shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, and shall serve initial terms of one and two years respectively. Each trustee shall hold office until a successor has been appointed and qualified. At the expiration of the term of each trustee and of each succeeding trustee the governor shall, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, appoint a successor, who shall hold office for a term of five years, or until a successor has been appointed and qualified. In the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of the trustee by death, resignation or otherwise, the governor shall, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, appoint a successor, who shall hold office for the unexpired term. Four trustees shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of organizing the authority and conducting the business thereof.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subdivision, the first vacancy in an office of trustee occurring after the effective date of this paragraph shall be filled by a resident of
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02491-01-9
S. 278 2
Niagara county and thereafter at least one office of trustee shall be held by a resident of Niagara county.
2. The trustee chosen as [chairman] chairperson as provided in section one thousand four of this title, shall receive an annual salary which shall be set by the trustees of the authority, and which shall not exceed the salary prescribed for the positions listed in paragraph (f) of subdivision one of section one hundred sixty-nine of the executive law. Each other trustee shall not receive a salary or other compensation. Each trustee shall receive his or her reasonable expenses in the performance of his or her duties hereunder. The trustee chosen as [chairman] chairperson may elect to become a member of the New York state and local employees' retirement system on the basis of such compensation to which he or she shall be entitled as herein provided notwithstanding the provisions of any general, special or local law, municipal charter, or ordinance.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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 trustees of the power authority of New York state
Purpose or general idea of bill
Provides for the appointment of a Niagara County resident to the board of trustees of the Power Authority.
Summary of specific provisions
The first vacancy in an office of trustee occurring after the effective date of this paragraph shall be filled by a resident of Niagara County and thereafter, at least one office of trustees shall be held by a resi- dent of Niagara County.
Justification
The New York State Power Authority oversees the Niagara Power Project which is located in Niagara County. The Power Project is of paramount importance to both NYPA and the residents of the County. Guaranteeing a representative from Niagara County to be a trustee of NYPA is necessary to ensure that there is a local voice being heard on issues of impor- tance regarding Niagara County and the Power Project.
Prior legislative history
2003-04 A.4612 2005-06 A.2406 2007-2008 A.5497, held for consideration in corporations, authorities and commissions 2011-2012: A.4461 held for consideration in corporations, authorities and commissions 2014 A.3731; held 2015-2016 A. 3132- Held 2018-2018; Referred Energy Committee
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.