BILL NUMBER: S4464
SPONSOR: MAYER
 
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:
To make industrial development agencies more open and responsive to the
communities they serve by requiring school board and labor represen-
tatives to be members of the Industrial Development Agency(IDA).
 
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 one local labor organization representative and one
school district superintendent or school board representative to be on
IDAs. It also allows for the temporary increase in the IDA's size, if
the addition of the mandatory members would cause the IDA to exceed the
seven member statutory limit.
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 meetings 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. This bill requires
that all industrial development agencies have at least one represen-
tative from a local labor union, and at least one school district super-
intendent or a representative from a school board.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023/24: S4040 (Mayer) Vetoed, veto memo 117
2021/22: S237 (Mayer) referred to Local Government
2019/20: S7347 (Mayer) referred to Local Government
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S4464: 854 general municipal law, 856 general municipal law, 856(2) general municipal law