S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
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                                  7139

                       2015-2016 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                             April 24, 2015
                               ___________

Introduced  by  M.  of  A.  SEPULVEDA  --  read once and referred to the
  Committee on Governmental Operations

AN ACT in relation to establishing the New York Muslim American Advisory
  Council

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

  Section  1.  The  Muslim American Advisory Council. The New York State
Muslim American Advisory Council is hereby established. It  will  advise
the  legislature  on ways to advance the role and civic participation of
Muslim Americans in New York. Additionally, the Muslim American Advisory
Council (hereinafter referred to as the "Council") shall recommend stra-
tegies to better integrate Muslims in New York socially,  educationally,
culturally  and economically. The Council shall facilitate relationship-
building in the Muslim community to achieve goals  related  to  interna-
tional  commerce  in  Muslim countries/communities, and identify ways to
more effectively disseminate information and outreach to  Muslim  Ameri-
cans regarding state programs and services. The Council shall advise the
legislature on appropriate policy developments, official directives, and
other issues of significance impacting New York's Muslims. It will bring
important  faith-based  issues based on factual findings to the legisla-
ture's attention and make recommendations to address  those  issues.  It
will  also strengthen communication between the state and Muslim leader-
ship and the general community.
  S 2. The Council shall consist of ten members, as follows:
  a. five members shall  be  representatives  of  community-based/faith-
based organizations that advise or assist Muslim American communities.
  b.  one  member  shall  be appointed by the temporary president of the
senate.
  c. one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate.
  d. one member shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD06641-01-5

              

A. 7139                             2

  e. one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the  assem-
bly.
  f. one remaining member shall be appointed by the governor.
  S  3.  Each member of the Council shall serve for a term of four years
or until his or her successor is appointed.  A member appointed to  fill
a  vacancy shall serve the remainder of the term of the member he or she
is appointed to succeed.
  S 4. The members of the Council  shall  receive  no  compensation  for
their  services  but shall be reimbursed for their expenses actually and
necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties hereunder.
  S 5. The Council shall select a chair and a secretary from  among  the
members.
  S  6.  The Council shall meet as frequently as necessary, but not less
than four times per year. Such meetings shall be held at such  locations
as  the Council may determine. All such meetings shall be subject to the
open meetings law.
  S 7. Each member of the Council shall  be  entitled  to  designate  in
writing  a  representative to attend meetings in his or her place and to
vote or otherwise act on his or her behalf in his or her absence.
  S 8. The Council will present strategies to the legislature to  better
integrate  Muslims  in  New York socially, educationally, culturally and
economically in writing in the form of an  annual  report  approximately
sixteen months from the establishment of the Council and annually there-
after.
  S  9. The report shall consist of factual findings, progress analyses,
and recommendations regarding the implementation of state  programs  and
services as it affects Muslim Americans.
  S 10. This act shall take effect immediately.