What's happening
This bill requires the New York Board of Regents to disclose funding sources and cost burdens when altering education rules or regulations.
Why it matters
Requires the Board of Regents to clearly identify who will bear any increased costs when education rules are changed. , making it easier for taxpayers, school districts, and stakeholders to understand the financial impact of policy changes.
Mandates transparency about funding sources for new or amended education regulations. including whether funding will come from state funds, tax increases, or local property taxes—so the public knows exactly how changes will be paid for.
Forces the Regents to specify what programs (if any) would be cut, or what taxes would be raised, to cover new costs. , which could discourage unfunded mandates and promote more fiscally responsible decision-making.
Provides district-level cost estimates for any local property tax impact. , helping localities anticipate budget changes and enhancing accountability for state-mandated regulatory shifts.
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Who cares
Board of Regents
Resolutions changing its rules or regulations would have to identify who would bear increased costs and the exact funding sources to cover them.
School districts
If local property taxes would cover increased costs, the Regents would have to disclose the expected cost increase for each affected district.
State budget officials and lawmakers
If state general funds would cover increased costs, the Regents would have to identify specific funding reductions or the type and amount of tax increases needed.
Local property taxpayers
The required district-level cost disclosures would show the expected increased costs to be paid through local property taxes.
Headline styles
Show Education Rule Cost Sources
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3328
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 5, 2019
Introduced by Sens. LAVALLE, SERINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to the legislative power of the regents
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 207 of the education law is amended to read as follows:
§ 207. Legislative power. 1. Subject and in conformity to the constitution and laws of the state, the regents shall exercise legislative functions concerning the educational system of the state, determine its educational policies, and, except, as to the judicial functions of the commissioner [of education], establish rules for carrying into effect the laws and policies of the state, relating to education, and the functions, powers, duties and trusts conferred or charged upon the university and the [education] department. But no enactment of the regents shall modify in any degree the freedom of the governing body of any seminary for the training of priests or clergymen to determine and regulate the entire course of religious, doctrinal or theological instruction to be given in such institution. No rule by which more than a majority vote shall be required for any specified action by the regents shall be amended, suspended or repealed by a smaller vote than that required for action thereunder. Rules or regulations, or amendments or repeals thereof, adopted or prescribed by the commissioner [of education] as provided by law shall not be effective unless and until approved by the regents, except where authority is conferred by the regents upon the commissioner [of education] to adopt, prescribe, amend or repeal such rules or regulations.
2. Any resolution that alters or amends the rules or regulations as established by the regents shall include the following information:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08468-01-9
S. 3328 2
a. the entity and/or the individuals that are expected to bear the burden of any increase in cost that such altered or amended rules or regulations may directly or indirectly affect.
b. the exact source or sources from which the funds to pay for such increase in cost shall be made available. If the funds are expected to come from the state general fund then the regents shall identify specifically what other state funding shall be reduced to pay for such increase in cost. If the funds are expected to come from the state general fund as a result of an increase in taxes then the regents shall identify the type and the amount of tax increase necessary to fully fund such increase in cost.
c. if the regents determine that such increase in cost is to be paid from local property taxes, the expected increase in cost for each school district affected by such altered or amended rules or regulations.
d. if some combination of reallocated state funds, new or increased taxes or local property taxes are to be used to fund such increase in cost, the regents shall provide the information as set forth in paragraphs a, b and c of this subdivision as they proportionately affect the total increase in costs upon the adoption of such rules or regulations.
§ 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 education law, in relation to the legislative power of the regents
Purpose
To provide a listing of all costs associated with proposals put forth by the board of regents
Summary of provisions
Section 207 of the education law defines the legislative power that the board of regents can exercise including establishment of rules. This section also defines those bodies that are exempt from those legislative powers.
A new paragraph is added to ensure that any resolution that alters or amends the rules or regulations set by the regents shall provide the following information:
*Those entities that expected to be affected by increase in costs proposed;
*Source of income to pay for increases, whether it be from the general fund or other funds;
*Identify type of tax increase necessary to fund proposal
*If increase in tax is to come from local property taxes, list expected increase by school district
*If combination of funds are to be used, information regarding costs shall be provided by the regents
Justification
This bill would enhance the accountability and transparency citizens of New York State have come to expect from governmental agencies. A listing of increased costs should be provided for public view.
Legislative history
2017-18 S.2060; 2015-16 S.224; 2013-14 S.1564/A.9587; 2011-12 S.1806; 2009-10 S.874; 2007-08, S.5563.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.