The New York State Senate

 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   5567
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             February 19, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by M. of A. PICHARDO, EPSTEIN, DE LA ROSA, SAYEGH, SEAWRIGHT,
   QUART,  TAYLOR,  CRUZ, REYES, DICKENS, DeSTEFANO, HYNDMAN, RICHARDSON,
   LAVINE, RAMOS -- read once and referred to the  Committee  on  Govern-
   mental Operations
 
 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.

                                                            LBD03513-01-1

 A. 5567                             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.