Seawright Passes Roosevelt Island Bill in the Assembly

The Bill will provide important updates to of Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) law

Albany, New York—A Roosevelt Island bill introduced by Assembly Member Rebecca A. Seawright regarding the management and organizational structure of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) was passed by the Assembly on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. The bill was previously introduced in the Senate by Senator José Serrano.

Assembly Bill 316 provides updates to the RIOC laws that are outdated and need clarification of the intent of specific provisions in the original laws of 1984. In addition, this legislation will include sexual orientation in the equal employment opportunity section of the laws. The bill has been delivered to Senate.

“I am proud to have introduced this bill and obtained passage in Assembly today.  We worked closely with Senator José Serrano, the community, and the Roosevelt Island Residents Association Government Relations Committee to draft a bill that will support Roosevelt Islanders.  I envision a Roosevelt Island that is self-governed so that services and programs are fully responsive to the needs of residents.  The community must have a say in the decision-making process of how the island is governed, there should be no taxation without representation.  The clarification and update of RIOC laws is long overdue and it is important that the laws governing the corporation are added to the Public Authorities Law so anyone with interest can easily find its enabling statute," said Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright.