What's happening
This bill expands the definition of "public body" in New York's open meetings law to include advisory committees.
Why it matters
Increases government transparency. by requiring advisory committees—which often shape policy or provide recommendations—to hold open meetings and make their deliberations accessible to the public.
Enables greater public oversight. of early-stage governmental decision-making, since advisory committees sometimes influence key issues before formal votes or decisions are made by official boards or councils.
May affect the way advisory committees operate,. possibly leading to more formal procedures, recordkeeping, and public notice requirements, which could change how members communicate and collaborate.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Open Meetings for Advisory Panels
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.
Advisory Panels Made Public
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 3732 A. 5525
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
February 13, 2019
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the public officers law, in relation to the definition of a public body pursuant to the open meetings law
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 102 of the public officers law, as amended by chapter 704 of the laws of 1979 and such section as renumbered by chapter 652 of the laws of 1983, is amended to read as follows:
2. "Public body" means any entity, for which a quorum is required in order to conduct public business and which consists of two or more members, performing a governmental function for the state or for an agency or department thereof, or for a public corporation as defined in section sixty-six of the general construction law, or committee or subcommittee or advisory committee or other similar body of such public body.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03191-01-9
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, in relation to the definition of a public body pursuant to the open meetings law
Purpose
Relates to the definition of a public body pursuant to the open meetings law.
Summary of provisions
Subdivision 2 of section 102 of the public officers' law, as amended by chapter 704 of the laws of 1979 and such section as renumbered by chap- ter 652 of the laws of 1983 is amended.
Justification
Under current law, any public body that is comprised of public officers and possesses decision-making authority is subject to the open meetings law. However, many times local government officials appoint and/or create committees, often adversary in nature, who hold routine meetings and have legitimate guidelines and mission they must adhere to. These committees that are appointed by a public body are not subject to the open meetings law.
It is the goal of this legislation to create greater transparency with regard to government appointed entities who, by nature, advise said government on local matters.
Legislative history
2017-18 S.3178/A.2399; 2015-16 S.2105/A.3035; 2013-14 S.1853A/A.1455A; 2011-12 S.811; 2009-10 S.1720.
Fiscal implications
None to state.
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.