What's happening
This bill increases annual training requirements for municipal board members from four to five hours, mandating at least one hour on open meetings law compliance.
Why it matters
Mandates open meetings law training. By requiring at least one hour of annual training specifically on open meetings law compliance, the bill aims to increase board members’ awareness of transparency, public access, and proper conduct during official meetings—potentially reducing legal challenges and increasing public trust in local government.
Requires public justification for waivers. Any decision by a municipality to waive or modify the training requirement must now include a publicly available justification, adding a new layer of transparency and accountability to exceptions, and making it harder for boards to bypass the training without scrutiny.
Standardizes training across local governments. The bill expands these requirements consistently to county, city, town, and village planning and zoning boards, promoting a uniform standard of education and legal compliance across New York State’s local governments.
Emphasizes flexible learning methods. By allowing training to be completed via various formats, including distance learning and electronic media, the bill acknowledges differing schedules and resources among board members, making compliance more feasible while still raising the bar for training content.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Training for Local Boards
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 37
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to local governments
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 60–1
- Amended on third reading 2598a
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.176
- Referred to local government
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to local governments
- Delivered to assembly
Show 5 earlier actions
- Passed senateVote 55–1
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.1105
- 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.
Increase Municipal Training Hours
In Assembly Committee · Local Governments · Sponsor Steven Otis
Full text
5 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2598--A Cal. No. 176
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 21, 2025
Introduced by Sen. MAYER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government -- recommitted to the Committee on Local Government in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- reported favorably from said committee, ordered to first and second report, ordered to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, the general city law, the town law and the village law, in relation to expanding training requirements for municipalities in relation to compliance with the open meetings law
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (d) of subdivision 2 of section 239-c of the general municipal law, as amended by chapter 662 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as follows:
(d) Training and attendance requirements. (i) Each member of a county planning board shall complete, at a minimum, [four] five hours of training each year designed to enable such members to more effectively carry out their duties. Training received by a member in excess of [four] five hours in any one year may be carried over by the member into succeeding years in order to meet the requirements of this paragraph. Such training shall be approved by the county and may include, but not be limited to, training provided by a regional or county planning office or commission, county planning federation, state agency, statewide municipal association, college or other similar entity, provided that at least one hour of such training is provided by the committee on open government or another appropriate entity in relation to compliance with the open meetings law. Training may be provided in a variety of formats, including but not limited to, electronic media, video, distance learning and traditional classroom training.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06890-02-6
(ii) To be eligible for reappointment to such board, such member shall have completed the training promoted by the county pursuant to this paragraph.
(iii) The training required by this paragraph may be waived or modified by the county when, in the judgment of the governing board, it is in the best interest of the county to do so provided that such county shall provide public notice, including a justification, of their decision to waive or modify training requirements.
(iv) No decision of a county planning board shall be voided or declared invalid because of a failure to comply with this paragraph.
§ 2. Subdivision 7-a of section 27 of the general city law, as added by chapter 662 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as follows:
7-a. Training and attendance requirements. a. Each member of the planning board of a city, except a city having a population of more than one million, shall complete, at a minimum, [four] five hours of training each year designed to enable such members to more effectively carry out their duties. Training received by a member in excess of [four] five hours in any one year may be carried over by the member into succeeding years in order to meet the requirements of this subdivision. Such training shall be approved by the legislative body and may include, but not be limited to, training provided by a municipality, regional or county planning office or commission, county planning federation, state agency, statewide municipal association, college or other similar entity, provided that at least one hour of such training is provided by the committee on open government or another appropriate entity in relation to compliance with the open meetings law. Training may be provided in a variety of formats, including but not limited to, electronic media, video, distance learning and traditional classroom training.
b. To be eligible for reappointment to such board, such member shall have completed the training promoted by the city pursuant to this subdivision.
c. The training required by this subdivision may be waived or modified by resolution of the legislative body of the city when, in the judgment of such legislative body, it is in the best interest of the city to do so, provided that such resolution shall include a justification for the city's decision to waive or modify such training requirements.
d. No decision of a planning board shall be voided or declared invalid because of a failure to comply with this subdivision.
§ 3. Subdivision 7-a of section 81 of the general city law, as added by chapter 662 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as follows:
7-a. Training and attendance requirements. (a) Each member of the board of appeals in a city, except a city having a population of more than one million, shall complete, at a minimum, [four] five hours of training each year designed to enable such members to more effectively carry out their duties. Training received by a member in excess of [four] five hours in any one year may be carried over by the member into succeeding years in order to meet the requirements of this subdivision. Such training shall be approved by the legislative body and may include, but not be limited to, training provided by a municipality, regional or county planning office or commission, county planning federation, state agency, statewide municipal association, college or other similar entity, provided that at least one hour of such training is provided by the committee on open government or another appropriate entity in relation to compliance with the open meetings law. Training may be provided in a variety of formats, including but not limited to, electronic media, video, distance learning and traditional classroom training.
(b) To be eligible for reappointment to such board, such member shall have completed the training promoted by the city pursuant to this subdivision.
(c) The training required by this subdivision may be waived or modified by resolution of the legislative body of the city when, in the judgement of such legislative body, it is in the best interest of the city to do so, provided that such resolution shall include a justification for the city's decision to waive or modify such training requirements.
(d) No decision of a board of appeals shall be voided or declared invalid because of a failure to comply with this subdivision.
§ 4. Subdivision 7-a of section 267 of the town law, as added by chapter 662 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as follows:
7-a. Training and attendance requirements. (a) Each member of the board of appeals shall complete, at a minimum, [four] five hours of training each year designed to enable such members to more effectively carry out their duties. Training received by a member in excess of [four] five hours in any one year may be carried over by the member into succeeding years in order to meet the requirements of this subdivision. Such training shall be approved by the town board and may include, but not be limited to, training provided by a municipality, regional or county planning office or commission, county planning federation, state agency, statewide municipal association, college or other similar entity, provided that at least one hour of such training is provided by the committee on open government or another appropriate entity in relation to compliance with the open meetings law. Training may be provided in a variety of formats, including but not limited to, electronic media, video, distance learning and traditional classroom training.
(b) To be eligible for reappointment to such board, such member shall have completed the training promoted by the town pursuant to this subdivision.
(c) The training required by this subdivision may be waived or modified by resolution of the town board when, in the judgment of the town board, it is in the best interest of the town to do so, provided that such resolution shall include a justification for the town's decision to waive or modify such training requirements.
(d) No decision of a zoning board of appeals shall be voided or declared invalid because of a failure to comply with this subdivision.
§ 5. Subdivision 7-a of section 271 of the town law, as added by chapter 662 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as follows:
7-a. Training and attendance requirements. a. Each member of the planning board shall complete, at a minimum, [four] five hours of training each year designed to enable such members to more effectively carry out their duties. Training received by a member in excess of [four] five hours in any one year may be carried over by the member into succeeding years in order to meet the requirements of this subdivision. Such training shall be approved by the town board and may include, but not be limited to, training provided by a municipality, regional or county planning office or commission, county planning federation, state agency, statewide municipal association, college or other similar entity, provided that at least one hour of such training is provided by the committee on open government or another appropriate entity in relation to compliance with the open meetings law. Training may be provided in a variety of formats, including but not limited to, electronic media, video, distance learning and traditional classroom training.
b. To be eligible for reappointment to such board, such member shall have completed the training promoted by the town pursuant to this subdivision.
c. The training required by this subdivision may be waived or modified by resolution of the town board when, in the judgment of the town board, it is in the best interest of the town to do so, provided that such resolution shall include a justification for the town's decision to waive or modify such training requirements.
d. No decision of a planning board shall be voided or declared invalid because of a failure to comply with this subdivision.
§ 6. Subdivision 7-a of section 7-712 of the village law, as added by chapter 662 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as follows:
7-a. Training and attendance requirements. (a) Each member of the board of appeals shall complete, at a minimum, [four] five hours of training each year designed to enable such members to more effectively carry out their duties. Training received by a member in excess of [four] five hours in any one year may be carried over by the member into succeeding years in order to meet the requirements of this subdivision. Such training shall be approved by the board of trustees and may include, but not be limited to, training provided by a municipality, regional or county planning office or commission, county planning federation, state agency, statewide municipal association, college or other similar entity, provided that at least one hour of such training is provided by the committee on open government or another appropriate entity in relation to compliance with the open meetings law. Training may be provided in a variety of formats, including but not limited to, electronic media, video, distance learning and traditional classroom training.
(b) To be eligible for reappointment to such board, such member shall have completed the training promoted by the village pursuant to this subdivision.
(c) The training required by this subdivision may be waived or modified by resolution of the board of trustees when, in the judgment of the board of trustees, it is in the best interest of the village to do so, provided that such resolution shall include a justification for the village's decision to waive or modify such training requirements.
(d) No decision of a board of appeals shall be voided or declared invalid because of a failure to comply with this subdivision.
§ 7. Subdivision 7-a of section 7-718 of the village law, as added by chapter 662 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as follows:
7-a. Training and attendance requirements. a. Each member of the planning board shall complete, at a minimum, [four] five hours of training each year designed to enable such members to more effectively carry out their duties. Training received by a member in excess of [four] five hours in any one year may be carried over by the member into succeeding years in order to meet the requirements of this subdivision. Such training shall be approved by the board of trustees and may include, but not be limited to, training provided by a municipality, regional or county planning office or commission, county planning federation, state agency, statewide municipal association, college or other similar entity, provided that at least one hour of such training is provided by the committee on open government or another appropriate entity in relation to compliance with the open meetings law. Training may be provided in a variety of formats, including but not limited to, electronic media, video, distance learning and traditional classroom training.
b. To be eligible for reappointment to such board, such member shall have completed the training promoted by the village pursuant to this subdivision.
c. The training required by this subdivision may be waived or modified by resolution of the board of trustees when, in the judgment of the board of trustees, it is in the best interest of the village to do so, provided that such resolution shall include a justification for the village's decision to waive or modify such training requirements.
d. No decision of a planning board shall be voided or declared invalid because of a failure to comply with this subdivision.
§ 8. This act shall take effect one year 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, the general city law, the town law and the village law, in relation to expanding training require- ments for municipalities in relation to compliance with the open meet- ings law
Purpose
To require members of various municipal and local bodies to complete annual training on compliance with the open meetings law.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends paragraph (d) of subdivision 2 of section 239-c of the general municipal law to require members of county planning boards to complete annual training in the open meetings law.
Read the full memo (765 words)
Section 2 amends subdivision 7-a of section 27 of the general city law to require members of city planning boards to complete annual training in the open meetings law.
Section 3 amends subdivision 7-a of section 81 of the general city law to require members of city boards of appeal to complete annual training in the open meetings law.
Section 4 amends subdivision 7-a of section 267 of the town law to require members of town boards of appeal to complete annual training in the open meetings law.
Section 5 amends subdivision 7-a of section 271 of the town law to require members of town planning boards to complete annual training in the open meetings law.
Section 6 amends subdivision 7-a of section 7-712 of the village law to require members of village boards of appeal to complete annual training in the open meetings law.
Section 7 amends subdivision 7-a of section 7-718 of the village law to require members of village planning boards to complete annual training in the open meetings law.
Section 8 sets forth the effective date.
Justification
The Open Meetings Law governs the accessibility of meetings held by public bodies in New York State, ensuring that members of the public may attend, watch, and otherwise follow the decision making of these bodies. As the legislative declaration for the Open Meetings Law (Section 100 of the Public Officers Law) acknowledges, public access to meetings is vital to the continued functioning of our democracy: "The people must be able to remain informed if they are to retain control over those who are their public servants. It is the only climate under which the commonweal will prosper and enable the governmental process to operate for the benefit of those who created it." Despite the strong safeguards contained in the Open Meetings Law, many citizens complain of inaccessible government meetings and report what they believe are violations of the law. The Committee of Open Government warned in their 2023 Annual Report that "compliance failures," among other challenges, were "contributing to a growing sense among New York- ers that some government bodies are emboldened to ignore their Open Meetings, FOIL, and other transparency responsibilities." Changing requirements have certainly added complexity for local governments attempting to comply with the Open Meetings Law over the last few years. The Open Meetings Law was partially suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic2 and subsequent changes have temporarily allowed hybrid meet- ings through July 1, 2024.3
This bill seeks to improve compliance with the requirements of the Open Meetings Law by ensuring that key local government entities receive annual training on their obligations under the Open Meetings Law. This training will close any knowledge gaps, ensuring that lack of compliance is not due to ignorance.
This bill builds on existing training requirements for certain local government entities established by chapter 662 of the laws of 2006. Under these requirements members of all county boards of appeal, and city (excluding New York City), town, and village planning boards and boards of appeal must complete a minimum of 4 hours of training per year relevant to their roles. This bill would require each subject entity to complete an additional hour of training per year on compliance with the Open Meetings Law provided by the Committee on Open Government or anoth- er appropriate entity.
While these requirements do not apply to every public body -- of which there are thousands in New York State -- they will make a meaningful difference to citizens who expect their local governments to meet basic standards of accessibility and transparency.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None to the State.
Effective date
This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a law. 1 Committee on Open Government. "2023 Report to the Governor and State Legislature." Accessed on January 14th, 2023 at https://opengovernment.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2023/12/2023-coogan nual-report final.pdf 2 Beginning with Executive Order 202.1 in March, 2020. 3 Chapter 58 of the Laws of 2023
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.