BILL NUMBER: S8881
SPONSOR: COONEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to authorizing
the dormitory authority to provide additional services to local govern-
ments and the department of environmental conservation
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to Authorize DASNY to provide planning,
design, procurement, and construction management services to counties,
cities, towns and villages.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Sections 1 and 2 of the bill would amend the definition of the terms
"dormitory" and "educational institution" contained in Public Authori-
ties Law ("PAL") §§ 1676(2)(b) and 1680(1), respectively, to include any
county, city, town and village regarding planning, design, procurement,
and construction management services. The inclusion of such entities
within the definitions of "dormitory" and "educational institutions"
would authorize DASNY to provide its services to such entities.
Section 3 of the bill provides an immediate effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Currently, DASNY's ability to provide construction, procurement, and
design services, is limited to those entities or projects that are
explicitly authorized by the Legislature. This proposal seeks to afford
units of local government the option, if they elect to do so, to utilize
DASNY's planning, design, procurement, and construction management
services. DASNY has successfully completed thousands of projects across
the State and has demonstrated expertise in overseeing a multitude of
construction "projects, including environmental review and compliance,
cost control analysis, building code compliance, and state-of-the-art
analytical tools that assist in the management of construction schedules
to ensure the timely completion of projects that are within budget and
code compliant. Local tax dollars, as well as State and Federal funds
must be utilized quickly and efficiently, to ensure projects, are
successfully completed on a timely basis. Many communities in New York
State, however, lack the necessary resources and expertise to timely and
efficiently plan and complete such projects funded by the State or
Federal governments. The delays in commencing and completing these vital
projects dilutes the positive impacts the se critical p rograms have
across the State. Declines in the workforce within local governments, as
well as the state workforce, and the added workload of administering
billions of dollars in new capital funds could lead to delays in imple-
menting programs and awarding funding. Local governments administering
the large influx of state and federal funds would be well served to
utilize the staff and expertise of DASNY.Giving these Communities an
additional option to use DASNY for these services would assist in
streamlining these capital infrastructure projects and could greatly
assist local communities while providing further support for vital New
York State programs.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Legislation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
This bill will have no fiscal impact to the State or local governments.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S8881: 1676 public authorities law, 1676(2) public authorities law, 1680 public authorities law, 1680(1) public authorities law