BILL NUMBER: S3377
SPONSOR: GRIFFO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act establishing a temporary state commission to study and investi-
gate reducing the number of public authorities and their subsidiaries in
the state of New York; making an appropriation therefor; and providing
for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
 
PURPOSE:
To establish a commission to study reducing the number of public author-
ities in the state.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one establishes the commission on public authority reform.
Section two lays out the makeup of commission members.
Section three outlines the specific duties of the commission. Section
four describes the powers of the commission.
Section five sets forth that the commission shall file a report of its
findings relative to the elimination, dissolution consolidation or merg-
er of public authorities and their subsidiaries with the Governor, and
Senate and Assembly Leaders; and shall issue a binding recommendation
which shall be presented to the legislature to completely accept or
reject.
Section six makes an appropriation of $100,000 for the expenses of the
commission.
Section seven sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
A previous report conducted by the New York State Commission on Public
Authority Reform contained numerous suggestions to improve the gover-
nance, operations and disclosure of public authorities, to build upon
and improve the Public Authorities Accountability Act signed by the
Governor in January of 2006. Many of these suggestions are set forth in
current bills in both the Assembly and the Senate. The Commission also
had been charged with identifying appropriate opportunities for the
elimination, dissolution, consolidation or merger of public authorities
and their subsidiaries. The Commission recommended further in-depth
investigation before implementation of any significant changes.
To that end, this bill is necessary and will create a temporary commis-
sion with the sole purpose of investigating opportunities for the elimi-
nation, dissolution, consolidation or merger of public authorities and
their subsidiaries. Under this legislation, the commission will be
charged with presenting its recommendations to the Governor, Senate and
Assembly by December 31, 2020. The temporary commission will also have a
target goal of reducing the number of public authorities by 50% and
reducing the number of subsidiaries by 75%.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24-S.1838 - Finance Committee
2021-22 - S. 3817- Finance Committee.
2019-20 - S. 4516 - Finance Committee.
2018 - S. 8328 - Finance Committee/A. 10936 - Corporations, Authorities
and Commissions
2015-16 S.2264 - Passed Senate
2013-14 S.1964 - Finance Committee/A. 7644 - Corporations, Authorities
and Commissions Committee.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Approximately $100,000.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediate with provisions.