BILL NUMBER: S622
SPONSOR: LIU
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, the executive law and the
public officers law, in relation to clarifying the application of the
accountability standards, open meetings law and freedom of information
requirements to local development corporations
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To extend the application of accountability standards, Open Meetings Law
and Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requirements to local development
corporations (LDCs) so that there is full and public disclosure of LDC
activities.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This bill amends various sections of the Public Authorities Law to
include LDCs in the provisions of the law governing the accountability
and transparency of public authorities.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
LDCs have unique powers in the statute that allow them to receive public
property from local governments while avoiding any competitive process
for awarding contracts, as LDCs do not have to comply with public
procurement laws. Because LDCs are directly involved in the acquisition
of public property, a greater level of transparency must exist in order
to keep the public informed on the actions of their local government and
government-created LDCs. The incomplete language within Public Authori-
ties Law, as it relates to. the accountability standards for local
authorities, warrants action. Full and public disclosure of LDC activ-
ities would prohibit government officials from abusing powers associated
with LDCs providing for both LDCs and local governments to be held
responsible for their decisions and actions surrounding local develop-
ment projects
 
PRIOR LEG SLATIVE HISTORY:
01/03/24 REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
01/19/23 REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND 'COMMISSIONS
05/03/22 AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HEALTH
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The fiscal implications of this bill have not yet been determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately,
the addition, amendment, and/or repeal of any rule or regulation neces-
sary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are
authorized and directed to be made completed on or before such effective
date.

Statutes affected:
S622: 2800 public authorities law, 2800(2) public authorities law, 2801 public authorities law, 2801(2) public authorities law, 2895 public authorities law, 2895(1) public authorities law, 51 executive law, 86 public officers law, 86(3) public officers law, 102 public officers law, 102(2) public officers law