BILL NUMBER: S8793

SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public officers law, in relation to removing the
requirement for in person attendance at public meetings by certain
community boards

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

Removes the requirement for in person attendance at public meetings by
community boards in a city with a population of over one million

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one titles the bill as the Access for All Act (AFA).

Section two amends Section 103-a of the public officers law to exempt
community boards in a city with a population of over one million from
the requirement that all members be physically present at all meetings.

              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Community boards are pillars of New York City's democratic process.  Run
by volunteers who care about the neighborhoods in which they live, the
city's 59 community boards speak for their neighborhoods on everything
from street fairs to land use.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, community boards were required by New
York's open meetings law to hold all meetings in person. They have been
meeting virtually without incident for the last three years. These
virtual meetings are open to the public, recorded, and documented in all
the same ways as in-person meetings.

The provision of the open meetings law that allows community boards to
meet virtually, though, is set to expire in 2024. Unless legislative
action is taken, community boards will be required to meet in person
again.

This is a problem because New York City has the most expensive office
space in the country. Especially when attendance at community board
meetings can range anywhere from twelve to hundreds, it takes time,
money, and effort that volunteers can hardly spare to find, maintain,
and pay for the few in-person meeting locations that fit their unique
needs. Passing this bill makes life easier for the citizens who volun-
teer their time for their community and saves them and the government
money. Being virtual allows busy community members to serve more effec-
tively and citizens to engage civically. By passing this bill, we can
ensure that when our neighborhoods can advocate for themselves, they do
it cheaply, conveniently, and accessible.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

This is a new bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that the
amendments to section 103-a of the public officers law made by section
two of this act shall not affect the repeal of such section and shall be
deemed repealed therewith.