NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A4429
SPONSOR: Steck TITLE OF BILL:
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing the addition
of a new section 20 to article 1 of the constitution in relation to the
fundamental right of the people to have access to public information
PURPOSE:
Amends the state constitution to guarantee the right of citizens to
access government records and meetings without undue burden.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends the State Constitution's bill of rights to encompass a
citizen's right to have access to public information. This will include
the right of the people to inspect government records, the right to copy
government records, the right to have notice of government meetings, and
the right to attend government meetings, none of which can be unreason-
ably restricted.
Section 2: Provides for submission of this Constitutional Amendment to
the first regular session of the Legislature after the next succeeding
general election of the members of the Assembly.
JUSTIFICATION:
In light of recent events, it has become clear that there is a discon-
nect between the citizenry of this State, and some of those public offi-
cials charged with carrying out their duties to the citizenry. Many
efforts to seek clarity on government actions are stymied or delayed for
unreasonably long periods of time. Barriers to transparency and account-
ability in government run counter to fundamental principles of good
government. In order to ensure that citizens are able to openly evaluate
the decisions of their elected officials and the functioning of state
government, the citizens of this State must have the necessary access to
government meetings and records. This legislation will enshrine this
fundamental right in the State Constitution,
FISCAL IMPACT ON THE STATE:
To be determined.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021/22: A6043 referred to governmental operations
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Resolved, that the foregoing amendments be referred to the first regular
legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election
of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article
19 of the Constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time
of such election.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
4429
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 14, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. STECK -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Governmental Operations
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY
proposing the addition of a new section 20 to article 1 of the constitu-
tion in relation to the fundamental right of the people to have access
to public information
1 Section 1. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That article 1 of the
2 constitution be amended by adding a new section 20 to read as follows:
3 § 20. The right to public information, being a necessary and vital
4 part of democracy and public deliberation, shall be a fundamental right
5 of the people. The right of the people to inspect and/or copy records of
6 government, and to be provided notice of and attend public meetings of
7 government, shall not be unreasonably restricted.
8 § 2. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing amendment be
9 referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the
10 next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in
11 conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be
12 published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89011-01-3
