The New York State Senate

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

                                  10949

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                              May 29, 2018
                               ___________

Introduced by M. of A. PICHARDO -- read once and referred to the Commit-
  tee on Governmental Operations

AN ACT relating to establishing a legislative committee on racial equity
  in the New York state senate

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

  Section 1. a. There is hereby created  the  legislative  committee  on
racial  equity in the New York state senate. The committee shall provide
a racial equity impact assessment on all legislation  that  is  reported
favorably  to the senate. The committee shall solicit input from members
of the public, especially those individuals with  expertise  related  to
racial equity issues, to aid the committee in its work.
  b.  The  committee shall consist of the senate majority leader, senate
minority leader, and ten members appointed by the temporary president of
the senate who are representative of the racial diversity that exists in
New York state. Any vacancies occurring among the members of the commit-
tee shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment.
  c. The committee shall (1) prepare a racial equity  impact  assessment
on  all legislation that is reported favorably to the senate to minimize
unanticipated adverse consequences by utilizing resources that  have  a:
(i)  history  of  expertise  and positive outcomes in racial equity; and
(ii) a deep understanding of ameliorating disproportionate outcomes  and
unintended costs; (2) hold a hearing on any matter relating to the func-
tions of the committee; (3) identify state policies and actions that, in
conjunction  with  public  and private partners and in support of racial
equity, can work to achieve conditions of  such;  (4)  review  and  make
recommendations to align state statutes, regulations, programs, services
and  budgetary  priorities;  (5)  search for any interdepartmental gaps,
inconsistencies and inefficiencies in the implementation  or  attainment
of  the  state  policies  and  actions; (6) identify any new laws, regu-
lations, programs, services, and budgetary priorities that are needed to
ensure and promote desired conditions of racial equity; (7) serve as  an
informational resource for the senate; and (8) perform other activities,
including public awareness.
  d.  The  committee  shall  have  the  same powers as other standing or
select committees of the legislature.

  § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD15691-01-8