Senate Bill S9603

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S9603

SPONSOR: MAYER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public officers law, in relation to requiring
members of a public body to complete a minimum level of training on the
state's open meetings law and freedom of information law

 
PURPOSE OF BILL:

Requires members of a public body to complete a minimum level of train-
ing on the state's open meetings law and freedom of information law.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 adds a new section to public officers law to require each
local officer to complete no less than two hours training annually; one
hour on the requirements of the open meetings law and one hour on the
freedom of information law. The training must be approved by the state's
Committee on Open Government. There is also a reporting requirement.

              

Section 2 sets the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

State law recognizes the importance of training for public officials
entrusted with significant fiduciary and decision-making responsibil-
ities. For example, state law requires municipalities to require members
of planning and zoning boards to complete annual training. Members of
public authority boards are also required to complete training on their
fiduciary, financial, and ethical responsibilities pursuant to the
Public Authorities Law. Similarly, newly elected school board members
must complete, within their first year, a minimum of six hours of train-
ing in fiscal oversight, accountability, and fiduciary responsibilities.

Despite these targeted training requirements, there is currently no
uniform statewide requirement that local officers receive training on
the Open Meetings Law or the Freedom of Information Law - two statutes
that are fundamental to ensuring transparency, accountability, and
public trust in government. As a result, compliance with these laws
varies widely across jurisdictions, and violations, often stemming from
a lack of familiarity with statutory requirements,continue to occur.

Local officers, including members of planning and zoning boards,
routinely make decisions that directly affect the public's right to
access government meetings and records. However, unlike other areas of
public service where training is required or authorized, there is no
baseline requirement that these officials receive even minimal instruc-
tion on their obligations under the Open Meetings Law or the Freedom of
Information Law.

This bill addresses that gap by establishing a modest, uniform annual
training requirement for local officers, ensuring that those responsible
for carrying out the state's transparency laws are equipped with the
knowledge necessary to do so effectively. By promoting consistent under-
standing and application of these laws, this legislation will enhance
compliance, reduce inadvertent violations, and strengthen public confi-
dence in local government.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill; A7552 (McMahon)

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None to the State.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.