BILL NUMBER: S8615
SPONSOR: GONZALEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the election law, in relation to establishing the
election security navigator program
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would create an election security navigator program within the
New York State Board of Elections to provide technical assistance,
training, and coordination for local boards of elections in preparing
for and mitigating cyber, physical, operational, and informational
threats to election infrastructure
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Legislative findings and declaration.
Section 2. The election law is amended to add a new section 3-113.
Subdivision 1 provides definitions.
Subdivision 2 establishes the election security navigator program within
the state board of elections and sets out the functions, duties, and
powers of the program.
Subdivision 3 sets out the process for the design of the election secu-
rity navigator program.
Subdivision 4 requires that regulations be promulgated to establish the
election security navigator program, and public hearings be held for
comment on such regulations.
Subdivision 5 institutes annual reporting on the activities and perform-
ance of the election security navigator program.
Subdivision 6 outlines the funding mechanisms available to support the
election security navigator program.
Section 3. Severability clause.
Section 4. Effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
As threats to election infrastructure grow increasingly complex, ranging
from ransomware and cyberattacks to foreign disinformation campaigns and
threats to poll workers, New York must continue to act proactively to
protect the integrity of its democratic processes.
While large jurisdictions may have internal technology staff or vendor
agreements sufficient to meet the growing needs of election cybersecuri-
ty, many small and rural counties lack the resources to address these
ballooning challenges. This legislation establishes a support framework
modeled on successful navigator programs in other states, leveraging
trained personnel to assist local boards with preparedness, response,
and resiliency. Such navigator programs have been recognized as a
national best practice for modern election infrastructure security.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.