What's happening
This bill requires industrial development agencies to include at least one local labor organization representative and one school board member, and defines "labor organization."
Why it matters
Expanding representation on industrial development agencies (IDAs) to include local labor and school board voices ensures that workers’ interests and educational impacts are considered in economic development decisions. This could potentially lead to project decisions that better reflect community needs, fair labor practices, and the interests of public education.
By explicitly defining “labor organization,” the bill sets a clear standard for who qualifies to serve as a labor representative. This avoids ambiguity and prevents employer-dominated groups (“company unions”) from occupying these seats, promoting genuine worker advocacy.
Mandating at least one school board member on IDA boards connects decisions about tax incentives and development projects directly to those responsible for local school funding. Since IDA decisions can affect school tax revenues, this change gives schools a direct say in negotiations that could impact their budgets and resources.
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Who cares
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Add Labor to Development Boards
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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History
- Referred to local government
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7347
IN SENATE
January 21, 2020
Introduced by Sen. MAYER -- 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 the organization of industrial development agencies and the definition of labor organization
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 854 of the general municipal law is amended by adding a new subdivision 21 to read as follows:
(21) "Labor organization" -- shall mean any organization which exists and is constituted for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining, or of dealing with employers concerning grievances, terms or conditions of employment, or of other mutual aid or protection and which is not a company union.
§ 2. Subdivision 2 of section 856 of the general municipal law, as amended by chapter 356 of the laws of 1993, is amended to read as follows:
2. An agency shall be a corporate governmental agency, constituting a public benefit corporation. Except as otherwise provided by special act of the legislature, an agency shall consist of not less than three nor more than seven members who shall be appointed by the governing body of each municipality and who shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. Such members [may] shall include [representatives] at least one representative of [local government,] a local labor organization and at least one school [boards, organized labor and business] board member of a school district within the jurisdiction of the agency. A member shall continue to hold office until his successor is appointed and has qualified. The governing body of each municipality shall designate the first chairman and file with the secretary of state a certificate of appointment or reappointment of any member. Such members shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be entitled to the necessary expenses, including traveling expenses, incurred in the discharge of their duties.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14875-01-0
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 the organiza- tion of industrial development agencies and the definition of labor organization
Purpose or general idea of bill
To make industrial development agencies more open and responsive to the communities they serve by requiring school board and labor represen- tatives, published agendas and notice to interested parties.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends section 854 of the general municipal law to define labor organization.
Section 2 amends subdivision 2 of section 856 of the general municipal law to require local labor and school board representatives on IDAs.
Section 3 establishes the effective date.
Justification
New York State law authorizes industrial development agencies to grant incentives, including tax abatements and PILOTs, to businesses and projects to promote job growth and the vitality of our local economies. The actions they take, including granting PILOTs, tax abatements, and terms of the incentives, have substantial impacts on community members, workers, and taxpayers. Yet, many of these actions are veiled from those that are affected.
For instance, school districts are required to deal with the budget impacts of PILOTs without knowing of upcoming meeting or having a say in the process. Local workers, who have much at stake in this process and the projects, have been excluded from the discussion and decision making concerning the projects and the incentives, and concerned citizens can be blindsided by IDA agendas released hours before the meetings, leaving little time for public input.
This bill requires that all industrial development agencies have at least one representative from a local labor union, at least one repre- sentative from a school board.
Prior legislative history
None.
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.