NY State Senate Bill 2009-S4840

Senate Bill S4840

2009-2010 Legislative Session

Establishes techniques and the utilization of alternative dispute resolution and establishes the New York state committee on public dispute resolution techniques

download bill text pdf

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Commerce, Economic Development And Small Business Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

Please enter your contact information

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

A valid email address is required.

Home address is used to determine the senate district in which you reside. Your support or opposition to this bill is then shared immediately with the senator who represents you.

Optional services from the NY State Senate:

Create an account. An account allows you to officially support or oppose key legislation, sign petitions with a single click, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.

Include a custom message for your Senator? (Optional)

Enter a message to your senator. Many New Yorkers use this to share the reasoning behind their support or opposition to the bill. Others might share a personal anecdote about how the bill would affect them or people they care about.

Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jan 06, 2010	referred to commerce, economic development and small business
Apr 27, 2009	referred to commerce, economic development and small business

2009-S4840 (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A2909
Current Committee:: Senate Commerce, Economic Development And Small Business
Law Section:: State Administrative Procedure Act
Laws Affected:: Add Art 6 §§601 - 606, St Ad Proc Act

2009-S4840 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Establishes alternative dispute resolution as a possible technique to resolve public disputes; establishes the New York State committee on public dispute resolution whose responsibilities include, training, education, technical support, and assisting in the resolution of specific controversies involving public and private parties.

2009-S4840 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S4840

 TITLE OF BILL :
An act to amend the state administrative procedure act, in relation to
fostering the use of alternative dispute resolution techniques in
resolving public disputes and to establish a state committee on public
dispute resolution relating thereto


 PURPOSE OF BILL :
This bill sets forth basic provisions and guidelines for encouraging
the resolution of public disputes through the use of alternative
dispute resolution techniques.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :
Section 1 amends the state administrative procedure act by adding a
new article 6.

Section 601, subdivision 1 states that the term "agency" as used in
this article shall have the same meaning as in subdivision one of
section one hundred two of the state administrative procedure act.

Section 601, subdivision 2 defines the term "public dispute" as it
relates to this article.

Section 601, subdivision 3 defines the term "alternative dispute

resolution" as it relates to this article.

Section 601, subdivision 4 defines the term "convenor" as it relates
to this article.

Section 601, subdivision 5 defines the term "neutral" as it relates to
this article.

Section 602, subdivision 1 authorizes state agencies, except where
prohibited by law, to use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to
resolve any dispute. Both the use of ADR and the particular techniques
employed are at the discretion of the agency involved.

Section 602, subdivision 2 states when the use of ADR may be suitable
and when it may not.

Section 602, subdivision 3 lists some of what may be included in
agreements to utilize ADR.

Section 602, subdivision 4 states that an agency may pay the costs
necessary to achieve the objectives of this article from any
appropriate area of its budget.

Section 602, subdivision 5 states that each state agency shall appoint
an ADR coordinator. The ADR coordinator shall take action to
facilitate the use of ADR and provide information about the agency's
ADR practices to relevant or interested parties.

Section 603 states that no agreement or understanding reached through
the use of ADR shall require an agency to take action inconsistent
with any statute, rule, or regulation, or refrain from action required
by any such statute, rule or regulation.

Section 604 outlines the selection and payment of neutrals utilized in
an ADR proceeding.

Section 605 states that no neutral or convenor shall be held liable
for acts or omissions related to their participation in an ADR
proceeding.

Section 606, subdivision 1 states that documents prepared specifically
for an ADR proceeding shall be confidential. Oral statements may also
be kept confidential as agreed upon by participants. Further, this
section states that ADR participants may not disclose, nor be
compelled to disclose, confidential information either in any judicial
or administrative proceeding or through the Freedom of Information
Act.

Section 606, subdivision 2 states the exception to the confidentiality
provision set forth in subdivision 1 of this section.

Section 606, subdivision 3 states that the parties involved in an ADR
proceeding may agree to meet in closed session.

Section 2 of this bill creates the New York State committee on public
dispute resolution.

Subdivision 1 of this section states that the purpose of a committee
on public dispute resolution shall be to assist the executive,
legislative and judicial branches of state and local government in
resolving public disputes. In addition, this subdivision lists how the
committee shall assist the branches of state and local governments in
resolving public disputes.

Subdivision 2 of this section states that the committee on public
dispute resolution shall have thirteen members and outlines how those
members shall be appointed.

Subdivision 3 of this section states that the committee shall have a
budget, facilities and employees as necessary to carry out its
purposes. The committee shall also appoint a staff director.

Subdivision 4 of this section states that the committee may establish
and collect fees for providing its services. The subdivision further
states that the committee may also accept certain contributions to
help finance its work. The committee may also enter into agreements
with government and private entities to assist in carrying out the
purposes of the act.

Subdivision 5 of this section states that the committee shall issue a
public report on its progress two years after the effective date of
this act and every two years thereafter.

Section 3 of this bill sets forth the effective date of this act.

 JUSTIFICATION :
Although New York is a leader in providing alternative dispute
resolution services at the community level, it lags behind other
states in its use of such processes to resolve public disputes.  This
bill is intended to bring New York to the forefront of the growing
movement toward "public ADR." Twenty-seven other states have already
established offices dedicated to fostering the use of mediation and
other ADR techniques to resolve public disputes, but there is no such
office in New York.

At the core of the bill is the notion that government often works
best, and is perceived to be the most fair, when it employs processes
designed to foster the building of consensus. The bill is necessary
because many public and private disputants are reluctant to utilize
ADR in the absence of clear statutory authority to do so.

This legislation takes a two-step approach to public ADR. First, it
explicitly authorizes state agencies to employ and experiment with
ADR. This authorization is broad but permissive; ADR is never
mandated. Second, the bill establishes a thirteen person Committee on
Public Dispute Resolution to provide information, training, and
technical assistance. The makeup of the committee is broad in an
attempt to forge both political and public support and interest in the
program.

Currently, New York State has two areas where legislation has been
enacted to foster the use of ADR techniques. The first occurs in
Section 4404-a of the New York State Education Law. This section
requires school districts to make mediation available to parents in
order to help parents and school districts resolve disagreements
related to special education programs. The second occurs in Article
21-A of the New York State Judiciary Law, which enacts the Community
Dispute Resolution Centers Program. This program was enacted to
advance the utilization of alternative dispute resolution at the
community level.

Experience at the federal level, in other states and in New York makes
plain that a New York State office of dispute resolution could play a
major role in helping to prevent or resolve a wide variety of public
disputes arising at every level and in every branch of government.
The office could assist in regulatory reform, coordination and
consolidation of public services, local and regional land planning,
contract management, as well as environmental disputes.

Wherever agencies are experiencing a large volume of disputes the
office could work with agency personnel to design new procedures and
mechanisms to handle such disputes more effectively. A state office
could also help agencies design and implement meaningful public
outreach and participation programs, which assume special value in
situations where there is widespread public mistrust.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
New bill.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
$450,000 would fund a staff of four and allow the committee to carry
out its functions. However, experience in other states suggests that
the office could become self sufficient within a few years by charging
fees for training and other services.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect 120 days after it shall have become law.

2009-S4840 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  4840

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                             April 27, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced by Sen. AUBERTINE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
  printed  to be committed to the Committee on Commerce, Economic Devel-
  opment and Small Business

AN ACT to amend the state administrative procedure act, in  relation  to
  fostering  the  use  of  alternative  dispute resolution techniques in
  resolving public disputes and to establish a state committee on public
  dispute resolution relating thereto

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. The state administrative procedure act is amended by adding
a new article 6 to read as follows:
                                 ARTICLE 6
                     ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
SECTION 601. DEFINITIONS.
        602. AUTHORIZATION.
        603. LIMITATION ON AGREEMENTS.
        604. NEUTRALS.
        605. LIABILITY.
        606. CONFIDENTIALITY.
  S  601.  DEFINITIONS.  1.  "AGENCY"  SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS IN
SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION ONE HUNDRED TWO OF THIS CHAPTER.
  2. "PUBLIC DISPUTE" MEANS A DISPUTE WHICH INVOLVES THE PUBLIC INTEREST
AND THE DETERMINATION OF RIGHTS, OBLIGATIONS AND PRIVILEGES OF  PERSONS,
AGENCIES, UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, OR OTHER ENTITIES.
  3.  "ALTERNATIVE  DISPUTE  RESOLUTION" OR "ADR" SHALL MEAN ANY PROCESS
OTHER THAN LITIGATION USED TO RESOLVE DISPUTES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMIT-
ED TO MEDIATION,  FACILITATION,  REGULATORY  NEGOTIATION,  FACT-FINDING,
CONCILIATION, MINI-TRIALS, EARLY NEUTRAL EVALUATION AND PARTICIPATION IN
POLICY DIALOGUES.
  4. "CONVENOR" SHALL MEAN ANY PERSON, AGENCY OR OTHER ENTITY, INCLUDING
THE  COMMITTEE  ON  PUBLIC  DISPUTE  RESOLUTION,  WHO HELPS PARTIES TO A

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD02283-01-9

S. 4840                             2

PARTICULAR PUBLIC DISPUTE DETERMINE WHETHER AN ADR TECHNIQUE IS FEASIBLE
AND APPROPRIATE OR WHO ATTEMPTS TO PERSUADE PARTIES TO  UTILIZE  ADR  IN
SUCH DISPUTE.
  5.  "NEUTRAL" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO PROVIDES SERVICES AS A MEDIATOR,
FACILITATOR, FACT-FINDER, OR  CONCILIATOR,  OR  OTHERWISE  ACTS  TO  AID
PARTIES  IN RESOLVING DISPUTES. A NEUTRAL SHALL HAVE NO OFFICIAL, FINAN-
CIAL OR PERSONAL CONFLICT OF  INTEREST  WITH  RESPECT  TO  AN  ISSUE  IN
CONTROVERSY  UNLESS  SUCH  INTEREST IS FULLY DISCLOSED IN WRITING TO ALL
PARTIES AND ALL PARTIES AGREE THAT THE NEUTRAL MAY SERVE.
  S 602. AUTHORIZATION. 1. GENERAL AUTHORITY. EXCEPT WHERE PROHIBITED BY
LAW, AN AGENCY MAY USE ADR TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE, ISSUE OR  CONTROVERSY
IN  WHICH THE AGENCY IS INVOLVED. THE TECHNIQUES TO BE EMPLOYED SHALL BE
VOLUNTARY PROCEDURES TO BE USED AT AN AGENCY'S  DISCRETION  EITHER  UPON
ITS OWN INITIATIVE OR AT THE REQUEST OF ANY PERSON. NOTHING CONTAINED IN
THIS  ARTICLE SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO REQUIRE AN AGENCY TO EMPLOY ANY SUCH
TECHNIQUE IN ANY PARTICULAR MATTER, AND  A  DECISION  BY  AN  AGENCY  TO
EMPLOY  OR  NOT TO EMPLOY AN ADR TECHNIQUE SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO JUDI-
CIAL REVIEW.
  2. SUITABILITY OF ADR. AN AGENCY SHALL CONSIDER USING  ADR  WHERE  THE
NATURE OF THE CONTROVERSY IS SUCH THAT IT APPEARS TO BE SUITED TO RESOL-
UTION  THROUGH  CONSENSUS BUILDING AND WHERE THE PARTIES WITH A SUBSTAN-
TIAL INTEREST IN THE CONTROVERSY HAVE BEEN  OR  CAN  BE  IDENTIFIED  AND
APPEAR  TO BE WILLING TO UTILIZE AN ADR PROCESS EITHER BY DIRECT PARTIC-
IPATION OR THROUGH A REPRESENTATIVE. AN AGENCY SHALL CONSIDER NOT  USING
ADR  IF  A  DEFINITIVE  OR  AUTHORITATIVE  RESOLUTION  OF  THE MATTER IS
REQUIRED FOR PRECEDENTIAL VALUE AND AN ADR PROCEDURE IS NOT LIKELY TO BE
ACCEPTED AS SUCH A PRECEDENT, OR IF A FULL PUBLIC RECORD OF  THE  PROCE-
DURE IS REQUIRED AND AN ADR PROCEDURE CANNOT PROVIDE SUCH A RECORD.
  3.  CONTENTS  OF  AGREEMENTS.  AGENCIES  MAY  ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS TO
UTILIZE ADR WHICH MAY, AMONG OTHER THINGS: PROVIDE FOR  THE  APPOINTMENT
OF  NEUTRALS,  CONSULTANTS,  OR EXPERTS; PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT OF FEES
AND EXPENSES; EXTEND ANY LIMITATION PERIODS APPLICABLE TO THE  COMMENCE-
MENT OR CONCLUSION OF FORMAL ADMINISTRATIVE OR JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS; AND
ESTABLISH  GROUND  RULES FOR THE PROCEEDINGS. SUCH AN AGREEMENT MAY ALSO
BE INCLUDED IN AN ENFORCEMENT ORDER, STIPULATION,  CONTRACT,  PERMIT  OR
OTHER  DOCUMENT  ENTERED  INTO  OR  ISSUED BY AN AGENCY TO ASSIST IN THE
RESOLUTION OF FUTURE DISPUTES.
  4. COSTS. AN AGENCY MAY PAY THE COSTS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE THE  OBJEC-
TIVES  OF  THIS  ARTICLE, INCLUDING REASONABLE FEES FOR TRAINING, POLICY
REVIEW, SYSTEM DESIGN, EVALUATION, TECHNICAL AND EXPERT  ASSISTANCE  AND
THE  USE  OF NEUTRALS, FROM ANY APPROPRIATE AREA OF ITS BUDGET INCLUDING
LEGAL SERVICES AND ADMINISTRATION.
  5. ADR COORDINATORS. EACH AGENCY SHALL APPOINT AN ADR COORDINATOR  WHO
SHALL  PROMOTE  THE  USE OF ADR WITHIN THE AGENCY. THE COORDINATOR SHALL
MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE  AGENCY'S  EXECUTIVE  STAFF  ON  ISSUES  AND
DISPUTES  THAT ARE SUITABLE FOR ADR, ANALYZE THE AGENCY'S ENABLING STAT-
UTES AND REGULATIONS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY  CONTAIN  IMPEDIMENTS  TO
THE  USE  OF  ADR,  AND SUGGEST WHATEVER MODIFICATIONS MAY BE NECESSARY;
MONITOR THE AGENCY'S USE OF ADR; ARRANGE FOR  SUCH  TRAINING  OF  AGENCY
STAFF  IN  ADR  PRACTICES  AS  MAY BE DESIRABLE; AND PROVIDE INFORMATION
ABOUT THE AGENCY'S ADR PRACTICES TO STAFF, THE REGULATED COMMUNITY,  AND
THE  PUBLIC.  THE  NEW YORK STATE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC DISPUTE RESOLUTION
WILL PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE TO AGENCY COORDINATORS.
  S 603. LIMITATION ON AGREEMENTS. NO AGREEMENT, STIPULATION  OR  UNDER-
STANDING  ARRIVED  AT THROUGH THE USE OF AN ADR PROCESS AUTHORIZED HERE-
UNDER SHALL REQUIRE AN AGENCY TO TAKE ANY ACTION INCONSISTENT  WITH  ANY

S. 4840                             3

STATUTE,  RULE,  OR  REGULATION,  OR  TO  REFRAIN FROM TAKING ANY ACTION
REQUIRED BY ANY SUCH STATUTE, RULE OR REGULATION.
  S  604.  NEUTRALS.  A NEUTRAL IN AN ADR PROCEEDING CONVENED UNDER THIS
TITLE SHALL BE SELECTED BY AND SHALL SERVE AT THE WILL OF THE PARTIES TO
AN ADR PROCEEDING. SUCH NEUTRAL MAY BE AN EMPLOYEE OF AN AGENCY INVOLVED
IN THE DISPUTE, AN EMPLOYEE OF ANOTHER FEDERAL, STATE OR  LOCAL  AGENCY,
AN  INDIVIDUAL  WITH EXPERTISE IN ADR PROCESSES OR THE SUBSTANTIVE AREAS
IN DISPUTE, OR ANY OTHER PERSON ACCEPTABLE TO THE PARTIES. IN CHOOSING A
NEUTRAL, COMPETITIVE BIDDING SHALL NOT  BE  REQUIRED.  COMPENSATION  FOR
SUCH NEUTRAL AND THE PARTIES' RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CONTRIBUT-
ING  TO  SUCH COMPENSATION SHALL BE BY AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES. WHERE A
NEUTRAL IS PROVIDED BY A NON-PARTY AGENCY,  THE  PARTIES  MAY  AGREE  TO
REIMBURSE  THAT  AGENCY  FOR  THE FULL OR PARTIAL COST OF ITS EMPLOYEE'S
SERVICES.
  S 605. LIABILITY. NO NEUTRAL OR  CONVENOR  SHALL  BE  HELD  LIABLE  IN
NEGLIGENCE FOR ANY ACTS OR OMISSIONS RELATED TO HIS OR HER PARTICIPATION
IN AN ADR PROCEEDING.
  S 606. CONFIDENTIALITY. 1. CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL.  NOTWITHSTANDING ANY
OTHER  PROVISION  OF  LAW OR REGULATION, DOCUMENTS PREPARED SPECIFICALLY
FOR USE OR PRESENTATION AT AN ADR PROCEEDING SHALL BE  CONFIDENTIAL.  IN
ADDITION,  THE PARTICIPANTS IN AN ADR PROCEEDING, INCLUDING ANY NEUTRALS
OR CONVENORS, MAY AGREE TO KEEP THEIR ORAL COMMUNICATIONS  CONFIDENTIAL.
EXCEPT  AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION, PARTICIPANTS MAY
NEITHER DISCLOSE NOR BE COMPELLED TO DISCLOSE  CONFIDENTIAL  INFORMATION
IN  ANY  JUDICIAL  OR  ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING, NOR SHALL CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION BE SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE UNDER THE  FREEDOM  OF  INFORMATION
LAW  PURSUANT  TO  ARTICLE  SIX OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW. THIS SECTION
SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED, HOWEVER, TO PREVENT THE RELEASE,  DISCOVERY  OR
DISCLOSURE  OF  OTHER  DOCUMENTS  OR  EVIDENCE  MERELY  BECAUSE THEY ARE
PRESENTED IN THE COURSE OF AN ADR PROCEEDING.
  2. EXCEPTION. A COURT HAVING JURISDICTION OF AN ACTION RELATED TO  THE
SUBJECT  MATTER  OF AN ADR PROCEEDING MAY ORDER DISCLOSURE OF A COMMUNI-
CATION OTHERWISE CONFIDENTIAL UNDER SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS  SECTION  IF
THE  COURT  DETERMINES THAT SUCH DISCLOSURE IS NECESSARY TO PREVENT HARM
TO THE HEALTH OR SAFETY OF AN INDIVIDUAL OR THE  PUBLIC  AND  THAT  SUCH
HARM  OUTWEIGHS  THE DAMAGE TO DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEEDINGS IN GENERAL
BY REDUCING THE CONFIDENCE OF PARTIES IN FUTURE CASES THAT THEIR  COMMU-
NICATIONS WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL.
  3.  CLOSED  SESSIONS.  NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THE
PARTIES TO AN ADR PROCEEDING MAY AGREE TO  MEET  IN  CLOSED  SESSION  TO
DISCUSS THE ISSUES IN CONTROVERSY.
  S 2. A New York state committee on public dispute resolution is hereby
created.    1.  Purpose. The purpose of the committee shall be to assist
the executive, legislative and judicial  branches  of  state  and  local
government  in  resolving  public  disputes.  It  shall  accomplish this
purpose by disseminating information regarding the resolution of  public
disputes  through  an  alternative  dispute  resolution by publications,
workshops, seminars, and other means; by providing training in  alterna-
tive  dispute  resolution;  by  establishing and maintaining a roster of
neutrals with expertise in alternative dispute resolution processes  and
in  substantive areas in which public disputes can be expected to arise;
by encouraging and monitoring the use of alternative dispute resolution;
by providing guidance and assistance to state agency alternative dispute
resolution coordinators; by  providing  technical  support;  by  helping
state  and  local  officials  establish  pilot and permanent programs to
resolve individual public disputes and categories of such  disputes;  by

S. 4840                             4

conducting  assessments of public disputes to determine whether alterna-
tive dispute resolution is likely to succeed in resolving them;  and  by
acting  as  convenor  by  bringing  together  parties to public disputes
deemed likely to be successfully addressed by alternative dispute resol-
ution  processes.  Where disputes are already in litigation, the commit-
tee shall work with the unified court system to identify cases which may
be good candidates for alternative dispute resolution.
  2. Membership and compensation. The committee shall  be  comprised  of
thirteen  members.  Four, including the chair, shall be appointed by the
governor, of whom one shall have substantial experience in local govern-
ment, one shall have substantial experience in the private  sector,  and
one shall have substantial experience in the not-for-profit sector.  The
additional members shall be appointed as follows: two by the chief judge
of  the court of appeals, two by the attorney general, two by the tempo-
rary president of the senate, two by the speaker of  the  assembly,  and
one by the state comptroller. Members of the committee shall serve with-
out  compensation  but  shall  be  reimbursed  for  actual and necessary
expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
  3. Budget, facilities, and staff. The committee shall have such  budg-
et, facilities and employees as are necessary to carry out its purposes.
It  shall  appoint a staff director who shall hire such additional staff
as may be necessary.
  4. Fees, other income, and contracting authority.  The  committee  may
establish,  collect  and retain reasonable fees for the provision of its
services, including services rendered to agencies  and  units  of  local
government.  The  committee  may  also  apply  for  and  accept  grants,
bequests, gifts and contributions to aid in the financing of its  activ-
ities.  The  committee may also enter into contracts and agreements with
government and private  entities,  including  contracts  and  agreements
providing for inter-agency transfers of funds, to assist in effectuating
the purposes of this act.
  5.  Reports.  Within  two years of the effective date of this act, and
every two years thereafter, the committee shall issue a public report on
its progress in achieving its objectives and shall recommend any  legis-
lative  or other measures deemed necessary to effectuate the purposes of
this act.
  S 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
it shall have become a law.

Comments

Open Legislation is a forum for New York State legislation. All comments are subject to review and community moderation is encouraged.

Comments deemed off-topic, commercial, campaign-related, self-promotional; or that contain profanity, hate or toxic speech; or that link to sites outside of the nysenate.gov domain are not permitted, and will not be published. Attempts to intimidate and silence contributors or deliberately deceive the public, including excessive or extraneous posting/posts, or coordinated activity, are prohibited and may result in the temporary or permanent banning of the user. Comment moderation is generally performed Monday through Friday. By contributing or voting you agree to the Terms of Participation and verify you are over 13.

Create an account. An account allows you to sign petitions with a single click, officially support or oppose key legislation, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.