The New York State Senate

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

                                 2116--A

                       2019-2020 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            January 22, 2019
                               ___________

Introduced by M. of A. PICHARDO, EPSTEIN, DE LA ROSA, SAYEGH, SEAWRIGHT,
  QUART, TAYLOR, CRUZ, ARROYO -- read once and referred to the Committee
  on  Governmental  Operations  --  committee  discharged, bill amended,
  ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee

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

  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 joint legislative  committee
on racial equity in New York state. The committee shall provide a racial
equity  impact  assessment on all legislation that is favorably reported
from both houses of the legislature. 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 majority  leaders  and  minority
leaders  from  both  houses of the legislature, ten members appointed by
the temporary president of the senate and ten members appointed  by  the
speaker  of  the assembly who are representative of the racial diversity
that exists in New York state. Any vacancies occurring among the members
of the committee shall be filled in the manner of the original  appoint-
ment.
  c.  The  committee shall (1) prepare a racial equity impact assessment
on all legislation that is reported favorably  to  both  houses  of  the
legislature  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  functions 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,

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

                                                           LBD05649-03-9

A. 2116--A                          2

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, regulations, 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 legisla-
ture; and (8) perform other activities, including public outreach.
  d. The committee shall have the  same  powers  as  other  standing  or
select committees of the legislature.
  § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.