Senate Bill S7107

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S7107

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to requiring the
New York state thruway authority to provide notice, a description of
meeting details and a sign up list prior to meetings of the board

 
PURPOSE:

To enact meaningful, transparent, accountable and democratizing
provisions concerning the operation of the Board of the New York State
Thruway Authority, including-notice to the public of meetings two weeks
in advance; notice to the public of the specific meeting agenda one week
in advance; and the opportunity for the public to sign-up and comment
within one week of the meeting.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends the Public Authorities law to provide reforms concern-
              

ing how the New York State Thruway Authority currently operates board
meetings, including the new specific requirements that the Authority:

1. Provide notice to the public of meetings two weeks in advance

2. Provide notice to the public of the specific meeting agenda one week
in advance

3. Provide the opportunity for the public to sign-up and comment within
one week of the meeting

4. Post all materials in a timely fashion on their website

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA) is a public benefit corpo-
ration celebrating its 70th Anniversary in 2020. The Authority oversees
the most important and critical stretch of highway in the Empire State
including duties relative to operation, maintenance and construction of
nearly 600 miles of road. The original enacting statute spelled out few,
if any, requirements in terms of public notice and comment concerning
the actions of the Board, which often include major construction initi-
atives, the granting of mega-contracts and toll, fee and fare increases.

Much like other large Boards, such as the MTA, for example, it is imper-
ative that the NYSTA operate in a way that is accountable to the public.
At present, the New York State Thruway Authority has no formal set meet-
ing schedule, and provides 48 hours notice, at best-of meetings when
they are called. A recent example in December of 2019 included a series
of rushed, back-to-back meetings called with virtually no notice to
anyone, which resulted in toll increases rushed through in virtual
secrecy. No one from the public commented because there are no rules
that require the Board to operate in a manner where they have to
acknowledge the public even exists. This bill wisely cures an embarrass-
ing and unacceptable ill.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

This is a new bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None of significance noted.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This law will take effect thirty days after enactment.