Allows public bodies to conduct meetings via video conference technology as long as the public is given certain opportunities to view such video conference.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A8071
SPONSOR: McMahon TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public officers law, in relation to conducting meet-
ings of public bodies via video conference technology
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation would facilitate the conducting of remote meetings to
make it more convenient for public bodies to conduct business and the
public to observe and participate in meetings and hearings of public
bodies.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill amends 6 103 of the public .officers law to allow
public bodies to more easily conduct remote meetings.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
JUSTIFICATION:
During the pandemic, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.1, which,
in part, allowed public bodies to conduct meetings remotely. This exper-
iment has proven to be extremely effective and popular among both the
members of public bodies and the public itself. Consequently, the public
officers law should be amended to facilitate the continued use of remote
meetings after the pandemic is over and Executive Order 202.1 is
rescinded.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None to the state.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
8071
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
June 11, 2021
___________
Introduced by M. of A. McMAHON -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the public officers law, in relation to conducting meet-
ings of public bodies via video conference technology
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subdivision (c) of section 103 of the public officers law,
2 as added by chapter 289 of the laws of 2000, is amended to read as
3 follows:
4 (c) (i) A public body that uses videoconferencing to conduct its meet-
5 ings shall provide an opportunity for the public to attend, listen and
6 observe [at any site at which a member participates].
7 (ii) Notwithstanding paragraph (i) of this subdivision, a public body
8 of a municipal corporation, as defined by section sixty-six of the
9 general construction law, may conduct a meeting via video conference if
10 such public body: (1) provides an opportunity for the public to contem-
11 poraneously view and listen to such meeting online; (2) makes a video
12 recording of such meeting; and (3) posts such video recording on such
13 public body's website within five business days of such meeting. In
14 addition, upon request of a member of the public, such public body shall
15 make available a specific location within the jurisdiction of such
16 municipal corporation for the public to view and listen to such meeting
17 online, provided such request is received at least forty-eight hours
18 prior to the time such meeting is scheduled to begin.
19 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11476-01-1
