What's happening
This bill requires all New York municipalities to maintain and regularly update official websites with key public information and documents.
Why it matters
Mandates consistent, up-to-date online access to local government information. , making it easier for residents to find official documents, meeting agendas/minutes, codes, and public notices without needing to visit municipal offices or make records requests.
Requires municipalities to publish key financial documents, such as budgets, audits, and fiscal plans, on their websites. , increasing transparency about how local tax dollars are managed and allowing citizens to better hold officials accountable.
Standardizes the types of information and documents that must be posted online across all municipalities. , reducing confusion and helping ensure that all New Yorkers have comparable access to vital civic information, regardless of where they live.
Introduces a requirement for a clear privacy policy on municipal websites. , addressing concerns about data collection and use, and helping to build public trust in interacting with local government online.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Towns to Run Websites
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 39
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to local government
- Referred to local government
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.
Require Towns to Run Websites
In Assembly Committee · Local Governments · Sponsor Kenneth Zebrowski
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4908
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 29, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, in relation to requiring municipalities to maintain municipal websites
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general municipal law is amended by adding a new article 13-E to read as follows:
ARTICLE 13-E
MUNICIPAL WEBSITES Section 300. Municipal websites.
§ 300. Municipal websites. 1. All municipal corporations shall maintain an official website accessible to the public. The official website shall contain basic information on the municipality including but not limited to hours of operations, elected officials and services provided. The website should contain an easily understood privacy policy that informs website visitors of any information that is being collected and how it is being used.
2. Official municipal websites should be updated on a regular basis and contain the following information:
a. all documents required by section thirty of this chapter;
b. notice of all municipal elections, public hearings and public meetings including regular board or legislative meetings;
c. agenda and minutes of municipal meetings as required by article seven of the public officers law; and
d. updated version of the municipality's code or laws.
§ 2. Subdivision 7 of section 30 of the general municipal law, as added by section 10 of part O of chapter 56 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
7. [To the extent practicable, each] Each municipal corporation shall make accessible [to the public via its official internet web site] on
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02134-01-9
S. 4908 2
its official municipal website documentation pertaining to its most recent annual financial reports, current year budget, most recent independent audit report and most recent fiscal performance plan or multiyear financial plan required pursuant to paragraph g of subdivision ten of section fifty-four of the state finance law, unless such information is covered by subdivision two of section eighty-seven of the public officers law.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general municipal law, in relation to requiring municipalities to maintain municipal websites
PURPOSE::
This bill would require all counties, cities, towns and villages to maintain an official website.
Summary of provisions
Section one of the bill amends the general municipal law by adding a new article 13-e entitled "municipal websites".
The legislation will require municipalities to maintain a website that is accessible to the public and provides important information to resi- dents. Websites must contain basic information, financial reports, meet- ing and election notices, meeting agendas and minutes, and an updated version of local code or laws.
Section two of the bill amends section 30 of the general municipal law as it relates to clarifying that all municipalities must post financial reports on their official website.
Section three of the bill relates to the effective date.
Justification
Municipal website provides residents with basic information on elected officials, services, local laws and municipal documents. This bill would create an unprecedented level of transparency by requiring that all local governments maintain a website where residents can access up to date information.
A 2014 report by the Empire Center highlighted the poor quality of municipal websites many of which lacked basic information. The report found that less than 20% of local governments received a passing grade on their website's availability of information and usability including two municipalities that did not have a website.
This reports findings are troubling. In 2019, there is no excuse for a municipality not to have a website that is updated regularly and provides citizens with basic information about the operations of their local government.
Legislative history
Assembly A1513 of 2017-18 - Referred to Local Governments A5927 of 2015-16 - Referred to Local Governments
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:: None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.