What's happening
This bill prohibits public officials from having buildings or spaces named after themselves while in office if they secured public funds for the project.
Why it matters
Reduces opportunities for self-promotion. By prohibiting public officials from naming buildings or spaces after themselves while in office if they played a role in securing public funding, the bill aims to prevent the use of taxpayer resources for personal legacy-building or political gain.
Promotes public trust and accountability. The measure addresses potential conflicts of interest and discourages officials from leveraging their positions for personal recognition, which can help foster a culture of ethical governance and reinforce the idea that public service should prioritize community needs over individual accolades.
Applies broadly to all public officials. The language covers any person subject to public officers or legislative law, ensuring that the restriction is not limited to a specific office or level of government, and thus encompasses a wide range of public servants who might influence funding decisions.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Naming Buildings After Officials
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Referred to investigations and government 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.
Ban Naming Buildings After Officials
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor John T. McDonald III
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3260
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 5, 2019
Introduced by Sen. BRESLIN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations
AN ACT to amend the public officers law and the legislative law, in relation to the prohibition of naming buildings after public officials
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public officers law is amended by adding a new section 79-a to read as follows:
§ 79-a. Prohibition on the naming of buildings. No person who is subject to the provisions of this chapter shall have a building or space named or cause a building or space to be named after himself or herself while he or she holds public office based on the fact that such person was responsible for securing public funds for the person or entity involved in naming the building or for securing public funds for the person's or entity's cause or agenda.
§ 2. The legislative law is amended by adding a new section 7-h to read as follows:
§ 7-h. Prohibition on the naming of buildings. No person who is subject to the provisions of this chapter shall have a building or space named or cause a building or space to be named after himself or herself while he or she holds public office based on the fact that such person was responsible for securing public funds for the person or entity involved in naming the building or for securing public funds for the person's or entity's cause or agenda.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00707-01-9
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 officers law and the legislative law, in relation to the prohibition of naming buildings after public officials
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to prohibit naming a building after a public official who was responsible for securing public funds for the person or entity naming the building. This will not apply to deceased or retired public officials.
Summary of specific provisions
Sections 1 and 2 amend the public officers law and the legislative law by adding new sections, 79-a and 7-h, respectively. No person who is subject to the provisions of these chapters shall have a building named or cause a building to be named after himself or herself, while he or she holds public office, based on the fact that such a person was responsible for securing public funds for the person or entity involved in naming the building or for securing public funds for the person' or entity's cause or agenda.
Section 3 provides the effective date.
Justification
This legislation prohibits the naming of a building after an elected official that helped secure state funding for an entity while that elected official is still in office should be prohibited. While the elected officials responsible for securing the funding should be commended, a structure bearing the name of that elected official seems to imply that he/she donated their own personal funds. Ultimately, it is the taxpayers who make such expenditures.
Further, this bill would prevent the perception of any quid pro quo agreements between elected officials and the entities that receive state funds. It would also serve to remove another existing advantage that incumbent elected officials are able to enjoy in New York State.
Prior legislative history
S. 6132 of 2013-2014 Referred to Finance A.10293 of 2004 Referred to Government Operations A.3424 of 2005-2006 Referred to Government Operations A.2695 of 2007-2008 Reported to Rules S.3081 of 2009-2010 Referred to Finance A.2839 of 2011-2012 Referred to Governmental Operations A.4439/S.3118 2015-2016 Referred to Investigations and Government Oper- ations A.2816 2017-2018 Died in Senate, Returned to Assembly, ordered to third reading cal.226
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.