New York State Assembly

Annual Report 2oo1


Committee on
Governmental Operations

RoAnn M. Destito, CHAIR Sheldon Silver, SPEAKER



December 15, 2001

The Honorable Sheldon Silver
Speaker of the Assembly
State Capitol, Room 349
Albany, NY 12248

Dear Speaker Silver:

As Chairperson of the Assembly Standing Committee on Governmental Operations, I respectfully submit to you the 2001 Annual Report. I have outlined the Committee's significant legislation and our outlook for the 2002 session.

The committee has achieved a number of significant accomplishments this year. The state's "Son of Sam" law was improved, making it easier for victims of crime to recoup losses from their perpetrators. The legislature passed other initiatives to protect the rights of crime victims, establish clearer privacy protection for individuals whose genetic material is used in research, create an internet privacy policy, and expand the provisions of FOIL to deal with the flow of electronic information in a way that protects the state's computer system.

The agenda for 2002 will continue the Committee's focus on improving government efficiency, as well as improving the regulations that address the role that technology plays in the relationship between citizens and government. Additionally, while public safety has always been an important issue to the committee, in the wake of the September 11 tragedy, improving programs and communications technology for all emergency services will be an even greater priority.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Committee for their continued support. Their contributions have been central to the past years achievements.

Sincerely,

RoAnn M. Destito, Chair
Assembly Committee on
Governmental Operations



MEMBERS OF THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY

STANDING COMMITTEE ON

GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS


RoAnn M. Destito, Chair




MAJORITY
Nettie Mayersohn
Jeffrey Dinowitz
Scott Stringer
Ruben Diaz, Jr.
Margaret M. Markey
Sam Hoyt
MINORITY
Catherine Young
Ranking Minority Member
Robert Oaks



COMMITTEE STAFF

Joanne Barker, Legislative Coordinator
Rachel Thielmann, Analyst
Elizabeth Hogan, Counsel
Sondra Addobea-Reese, Committee Assistant
Nick Antennucci, Committee Clerk
Kathleen Quackenbush, Secretary



TABLE OF CONTENTS


Appendix A: 2001 Summary of Action on All Bills

Appendix B:Chapters of 2001

Appendix C: Vetoes of 2001

Appendix D: Bills Passed by the Assembly




I.  INTRODUCTION

The Governmental Operations Committee's jurisdiction encompasses a broad spectrum of legislative issues. The Committee's subject areas include: governmental reform, lobbying laws, crime victims, human rights, the executive law, the rights of the physically challenged, procurement, Indian affairs, the Freedom of Information and Open Meetings Laws, public lands and buildings, and the organization and operation of the executive and legislative branches of State government. The Committee also acts on legislation referred to it by the Assembly Ethics and Guidance Committee, the Administrative Regulation Review Commission, and the Legislative Commission on Government Administration.




II.  CRIME VICTIMS

The Governmental Operations Committee considers legislation addressing the Crime Victims Board, the agency charged with advocating for and compensating eligible crime victims. The Committee's interest in and commitment to the concerns of crime victims goes beyond issues directly relating to the Board itself. The committee developed a legislative package to improve the responsiveness of the criminal justice system to crime victims and to improve the structure of the Board.

  1. EXTENDING TIME FOR FILING CLAIMS
    (Chapter 359 of 2001/A.4516, Mayersohn)

    This law will extend the time for filing a claim with the Crime Victims Board when the claimant had no knowledge of the compensation program. Crime victims must file compensation claims with the Crime Victims Board, in person or by mail, no later than one year after the occurrence of the crime. This period may be extended indefinitely if the Board feels that there exists good cause evidencing why a crime victim did not file a claim within the one-year period.

    The Crime Victims Board has estimated that annually, over 26,000 crime victims in New York State have crime-related bills or lost earnings and may be eligible for compensation under the state program. Of these victims less than half file claims with the Board. For those claims that are filed, over 2,000 are denied simply because victims filed claims after the one-year period as they were not aware of the compensation program. This act waives this restriction if the victim was not notified of their eligibility to receive compensation at the police station, hospital or other agency named by the Crime Victims Board.

  2. EXPANDING THE "SON OF SAM" LAW
    (Chapter 62 of 2001/A.9278, Destito)

    This law expands the provisions of the "Son of Sam" law in New York State. This expansion addresses deficiencies of the current law dealing with both the status of the offender and the assets that are accessible to the victim under the statute. This law extends the period of time during which the convicted criminal could be found civilly liable for damages caused by the crime to include time served for the crime or time served on conditional release or parole and the three years following the end of such a sentence. This law also expands the type of assets that the victims and families of victims could make claims against to include all assets regardless of source with the exception of child support. These expansions will allow more crime victims to receive compensation for the expenses related to the crimes committed against them.

  3. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINATION OF CLAIMS
    (A.1333, Dinowitz)

    Crime victims have indicated that decisions denying compensation claims awards by the Crime Victims Board do not contain an explanation of the reasoning behind the decision. Often a claimant is not given a basis for the Board's denial of a claim, thereby provoking an appeal of the decision on that basis.

    This bill would require that all determinations of claims made by the Crime Victims Board be rendered in accordance with the State Administrative Procedure Act, which requires stating the reason for the determination. Additionally, Board members would be required to include the reason for departing from precedent.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee.

  4. ESTABLISHING A VICTIM'S ASSISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM
    (A.1721, Sidikman)

    This bill would establish a victim's assistance education program, which would be developed by the Crime Victims Board and the Division of Criminal Justice Services. Attendance by the staff of the Crime Victims Board would be mandatory on a biennial basis; board members would attend at least one program. Education programs would also be developed for use by police, sheriffs, administrative law judges, district attorneys and providers of victim assistance services. This measure would ensure that members and staff of the Crime Victims Board are fully knowledgeable and trained in skills that would provide assistance to crime victims.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee.

  5. VICTIM NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES
    (A.1985, Sidikman)

    This bill would help to ensure that crime victims are made aware of available assistance programs. It would require the Commissioner of the Division of Criminal Justice Services, in cooperation with the Crime Victims Board, to develop procedures and forms to be used by police agencies, sheriff's departments, and district attorneys' offices to notify crime victims about their rights under the law and about the existence of victim assistance programs.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Crime Victims, Crime, and Corrections Committee.

  6. ANTITRUST FUND
    (A.2215, John)

    This bill would grant court's discretion to designate part or all of any fine or penalty paid by an adjudicated violator of the state's antitrust laws to be deposited with the Crime Victims Board. Antitrust crime, by its very nature, is an economic crime against the interest of the people of this state. In these cases, it is appropriate for courts to be given discretion to direct fines to the Crime Victims Board.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Consumer Protection Committee.

  7. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
    (A.2973, Sanders)

    This bill would change the reporting requirements regarding restitution and fair treatment standards from annually to every two years, and would consolidate annual reporting requirements. While annual reporting for crime victim service programs would be maintained, biennial reporting would be implemented regarding the manner in which the rights, needs and interests of crime victims are being addressed by the criminal justice system.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Crime Victims, Crime, and Correction Committee.

  8. DOCUMENTATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR COMPENSATION
    (A.3909, Pretlow)

    This bill would authorize the Crime Victims Board to accept other official documents in lieu of police reports to document eligibility for compensation for rape or sexual assault. Studies show that many victims need time to deal with the effects of a sexual assault and are not emotionally ready to go to the police immediately after a crime has been committed. Failure to file a police report should not bar compensation. New York State is not precluded under federal law or regulation from changing the eligibility criteria.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Crime Victims, Crime, and Corrections Committee.

  9. CLARIFICATION OF STATUTORY LANGUAGE
    (A.4321, Ortiz)

    This bill would define the term "necessary court appearance" for the purpose of determining a crime victim's award or compensation. The success of the judicial system is directly influenced by the treatment of and input from crime victims. Our judicial system can function more effectively when victims report crimes, confer with prosecutors, testify at hearings and trial, and participate in other phases. Some victims, however, can ill afford the transportation costs associated with attending and participating in all phases of prosecution. This legislation would define the term "necessary court appearance" in order to aid crime victims in the process of determining crime victims' awards.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Crime Victims, Crime, and Correction Committee.

  10. INCREASING AID FOR CRIME VICTIMS
    (A.4540, Mayersohn)

    This bill would increase the amount of money that the Crime Victims Board can award for the repair or replacement of personal property. Currently, the Board can only award victims $100. This bill would increase that amount to $750, which would represent a fairer evaluation of the personal financial damages that victims face as the result of the crimes committed against them.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Finance Committee.

  11. CRIME VICTIMS BOARD OMBUDSMAN
    (A.5420, DiNapoli)

    This measure would establish a crime victim's ombudsman within the Division of Criminal Justice Services and prescribe such person's functions, powers and duties.

    Interviews and discussions with crime victims have demonstrated that there is a need for a third party to act as a liaison between crime victims and the Crime Victims Board, the courts and other governmental agencies. This bill would establish a state-level office with broad investigative powers and the sole purpose of acting as an advocate for crime victims. By providing this advocate the State would be taking an important step in addressing the mental trauma suffered by victims of crime, by making it as comfortable as possible to deal with the necessary government agencies.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Finance Committee.

  12. THRESHOLD AMOUNT INCREASE
    (A.5494, DiNapoli)

    Under current law any compensation to a victim that meets or exceeds $5,000 must be investigated to determine whether the claimant would suffer financial difficulty in the event the award is not granted. In 1996, the burial expense award was increased from $2,000 to $6,000. The award increase had the unintended effect of subjecting every family who seeks the maximum burial expense allowance to the financial difficulty test.

    By raising the threshold amount from $5,000 to $6,000, this bill would eliminate the extra paperwork and burden to families of victims by creating parity between the burial expense and the threshold for providing compensation without a determination of financial difficulty.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Crime Victims, Crime, and Corrections Committee

  13. FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY DETERMINATION
    (A.5495, DiNapoli)

    This bill would eliminate the $100,000 cap on exemption of a claimant's homestead in determining financial difficulty for purposes of crime victim compensation.

    When making an award over $5,000 to a qualified victim, the Crime Victims Board must consider a claimant's assets in determining whether the victim would suffer financial difficulty in the absence of an award. Current statute contains a $100,000 cap on the exemption of a claimant's homestead despite the fact that property values have changed significantly since the law was last amended in 1983.

    This bill, by removing the limitation on homestead exemptions, would allow for fluctuation of property values due to economic factors beyond the homeowner's control, and would offer crime victims more equitable compensation.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Crime Victims, Crime, and Correction Committee.

  14. ACCELERATION OF CLAIMS DISPOSITION
    (A.5566, DiNapoli)

    This bill would require the Secretary of the Crime Victims Board to conduct an investigation to determine whether a claimant is eligible to receive an award. By providing a better initial review of claims most eligible cases would ultimately receive a quicker disposition.

    The current method of investigating claims has led to a backlog of unresolved cases. In addition, under the current system, some claimants have had to wait up to a year, only to be told that they are ineligible to receive an award.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Crime Victims, Crime, and Correction Committee.

  15. HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
    (A.5567, DiNapoli)

    This bill would add a health care provider to the Crime Victims Board. Historically there has been little or no health care representation on the Board. Since many of the claims filed with the board involve health care issues due to injuries inflicted on victims, the medical expertise offered by a health care practitioner would prove an asset to the Board.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Crime Victims, Crime, and Correction Committee.

  16. SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC EXAMINER PAYMENT PLAN
    (A.7306, John)

    This bill would allow hospitals that provide sexual assault forensic exams (SAFE) to victims of sexual assault to directly bill the Crime Victims board for their services, including the forensic exam, laboratory tests and medications. These payments would be set at a flat rate by the board, in cooperation with the Department of Health and would be periodically reassessed.

    By allowing the hospital in lieu of the victim to apply for this compensation, the added pressure of cost associated with a visit to the hospital would be removed from the victim.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Finance Committee.




III.  DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

The State Division of Human Rights is the agency charged with enforcement of the State's Human Rights Law, which protects the citizens of New York from discrimination based on race, sex, marital status, and other protected categories.

  1. GENETIC TESTING
    (Chapter 342 of the laws of 2001, A.8956 Sweeney)

    This bill would make provisions for the use of biological samples in scientific research and testing while protecting the identity of the individuals donating these samples. While the state recognizes the importance of continuing genetic research, these important developments must be balanced with protecting the privacy of the individuals contributing their tissue samples to be used in this research. This bill would require the collecting agency to remove any identifying information from tissue samples that would allow the sample to be associated with the donating individual. This bill would also require that participants must provide their consent for the use of their sample, be informed that their samples will be used for testing, and be informed how long the tissue samples will be kept. In addition, this bill would require the participants to be able to choose whether or not they wish to be contacted in the future.

  2. DISCRIMINATION CLASS ACTIONS
    (A.97, Christensen)

    This bill would direct the Division of Human Rights to promulgate rules of practice to permit complaints alleging unlawful discriminatory practices to be filed as class actions or to be consolidated. Currently, grievances that are filed with the Human Rights Division can be filed on an individual basis only. Complaints alleging unlawful discriminatory practices often involve several people in the same job classification subject to similar discrimination. In such a situation, this bill would enable a group of similarly situated plaintiffs to file their complaint with the Human Rights Division in a manner that would allow a more efficient, less expensive resolution.

  3. This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Investigations, Taxation, and Governmental Operations Committee.

  4. PROHIBITION OF DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION
    (A.1971, Sanders)

    This bill would prohibit discrimination in education, employment, or public accommodation based on an individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation. Currently, State law provides for equal opportunity regardless of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability, or marital status, but offers no protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation.

    This exception in law is glaring, particularly in a State that has been a leader in preserving the fundamental right of privacy. This measure would take the appropriate steps to establish civil rights protection for the citizens of this state regardless of their sexual orientation.

    This bill passed the Assembly for the ninth time in 2001, but died in the Senate Rules Committee.

  5. DISCRIMINATORY TIME FRAME
    (A.2341, Sanders)

    This bill would designate a time frame in which a court action may be filed with the State Division of Human Rights. Occasionally, complaints before the State Division of Human Rights are dismissed for administrative convenience after investigation and conciliation efforts. The Division has broad powers regarding its ability to dismiss complaints and may impose such a dismissal against the wishes of a complainant to pursue his or her complaint. This legislation is intended to insure that the rights of the aggrieved party to obtain redress will be maintained if his or her complaint is dismissed after the statute of limitations set forth in the Human Rights Law has expired.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Investigations, Taxation, and Governmental Operations Committee.

  6. EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS
    (A.3747, Sweeney)

    This bill would make technical corrections regarding employment discrimination based on genetic characteristics and information. This law corrects the unintended effects of Chapter 497 of the Laws of 1996, which prohibited the testing of DNA samples without the informed consent of the person from whom the sample was taken or that person's authorized representative, with exceptions in certain forensic cases. The statute as written, however, inadvertently restricts certain reasonable research practices.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Investigations, Taxation, and Governmental Operations Committee.

  7. GENDER REFERENCING
    (A.3960, Galef)

    This resolution to amend the state constitution would formally recognize the parity of men and women in the state constitution. In the first 13 pages of the constitution alone, words of the masculine gender are used 75 times. The male reference is used throughout Article IV when referring to Executive powers. These amendments grant women parity in the state constitution.

    This resolution was initially passed by both houses of the state legislature during the 1999-2000 legislative session. Having meet this initial requirement of being enacted by two separate legislatures, the resolution will be delivered to the secretary of state to be placed on the ballot for adoption or rejection by the voters.

    This resolution was enacted by public approval as a part of the 2001 general election ballot.

  8. GENDER PRICING
    (A.5396, Clark)

    This bill would prohibit different pricing schemes for similar or like services based solely upon a person's sex. Several studies, including one conducted by the New York City Commissioner of Consumer Affairs, have shown that women are often charged more than men for services by the same service provider when there is no difference in the type, nature or duration of service rendered. This situation has been most frequently documented in cases involving dry cleaning and haircutting.

    Consumers injured by a violation would be authorized to bring actions to recover either treble damages or $100, whichever is greater. Attorney's fees would also be awarded to a prevailing plaintiff and the Attorney General would be authorized to make an application for an injunction against the continuance of an alleged violation. In addition, the State Consumer Protection Board would be required to maintain a record of complaints and actions taken regarding price discrimination and to report its activities and statistics in this area annually.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Consumer Protection Committee.

  9. PAY EQUITY
    (A.5416, DiNapoli)

    This bill would make it an illegal discriminatory practice to compensate employees of different sexes differently for work that is of comparable worth. A January 1998 Assembly hearing on comparable worth and pay equity issues yielded several suggestions that would help resolve some of the problems resulting from gender-based wage discrimination in the work place. Of these suggestions, the greatest impact on the problem would be achieved by an explicit prohibition in the Human Rights Law of gender-based wage setting in female-dominated job classifications that makes it an unlawful discriminatory practice to engage in such discrimination.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Investigations, Taxation, and Governmental Operations Committee.




IV.  FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND OPEN MEETINGS LAWS

The Freedom of Information Law extends the public's right to know the process of governmental decision-making by allowing citizens to review documents that form the bases of governmental decisions and actions. The Open Meetings Law ensures that citizens are fully aware of and can observe the performance of public officials by attending and listening to the deliberations and decisions that go into the making of public policy. Both these laws ensure the government's accountability to the people.

  1. PROTECTION OF ELECTRONIC INFORMATION
    (Chapter 368 of 2001/A.9065, Destito)

    This law make changes to the freedom of information law (FOIL) to allow state agencies to better protect their information technology. Under state law, state agencies were allowed to deny access to their computer access codes, but the terminology of the law, enacted in 1984, was not adequate to protect all information that could allow unauthorized access to electronic files, communications and other assets. This law amends that section, expanding the exemption to better reflect the current technology.

  2. REDEFINING THE TERM PUBLIC BODY UNDER THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW
    (A.134, John)

    This bill would clarify the definition of "public body" for purposes of inclusion under the Open Meetings Law. The Department of State Committee on Open Government recommended in its 1992 Report to the Governor and the Legislature that section 102(2) of the Public Officers Law be amended to clarify the term "public body,", and to include designated advisory committees and subcommittees within that definition. Under the current language, the application of the Open Meetings Law to these advisory bodies is ambiguous. Amending the language of this section would prevent the proceedings and decisions of such advisory bodies from falling beyond the scope of the Open Meetings Law.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Investigation, Taxation, and Governmental Operations Committee.

  3. PUBLIC MEETINGS LOCATIONS
    (A. 970, Luster)

    This bill would mandate that when planning a public meeting, the body in charge of planning make all reasonable efforts to hold the meeting in a location that is appropriate to accommodate the members of the public that wish to attend.

    This bill passed the Assembly but died in the Senate Investigations, Taxation, and Governmental Operations committee.

  4. PENALTIES FOR UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE OF WARRANTS
    (A.1730, Stringer)

    This bill would regulate the public disclosure of information stored in the statewide computerized registry of orders of protection and family offense warrants by establishing a criminal penalty for any person who willfully allows the inappropriate release of any data or information stored in the registry. In addition, a civil fine of up to $5,000 could be imposed for negligent release of this information.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Finance Committee.

  5. PRESERVING EXECUTIVE RECORDS
    (A.1953, Hoyt)

    This bill would reform the record keeping of the Executive Chamber. This bill would require that the executive keep both public and private records for the sitting executive's term in office. At the end of the term, all such records would be turned over to the state archives, at which point the state archivist would take control of the records and make decisions regarding the access and disposition of those records. This act would apply to all records not exempted under the existing public officers law.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Finance Committee.

  6. ACCESS TO PUBLIC MEETINGS FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED
    (A.1978, Stringer)

    This bill would require that when planning a public meeting, those in charge of planning the meeting provide an interpreter for the deaf when requested and when practical. This bill would require that this request be in writing and be made in a reasonable amount of time prior to the public meeting.

    This bill passed the Assembly but died in the Senate Rules Committee.

  7. IMPROVING COMMUNICATIONS RECORDS OF REGULATORY AGENCIES
    (A.2146, John)

    This bill would require that twelve of the executive's major regulatory agencies keep records of all communications with policy-making personnel that are intended to influence their decisions on changes in agency rules. The twelve agencies are: Department of State, Banking Department, Insurance Department, State Liquor Authority, Department of Agriculture and Markets, Department of Education, Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Health, Division of Housing and Community Renewal, Department of State, Department of Public Service, Industrial Board of Appeals, and the Department of Law. This bill would further require that this record of communication be available to the public for inspection and copying.

    This bill passed the Assembly but died in the Senate Finance committee.




V.  GOVERNMENTAL REFORM AND ADMINISTRATION

The governmental operations committee has jurisdiction over the Public Officers Law, which regulates many of the actions of public employees. Some of these regulated actions deal with interactions between individuals and state agencies and address ethical concerns, while others deal with protection for public employees. In many cases these laws are an important demonstration to the public of government's desire to have an open and ethical system of government.

  1. EXPANSION OF THE STATE LOBBYING LAW
    (Chapter 17 of 2001/A.5798, Grannis)

    This law delays application of the existing regulations governing lobbying to municipalities. The effective date of this provision when first enacted was January 1, 2001, which gave local governments time to adjust to the new rules and regulations that accompanied this extension to municipalities. This law requires a report detailing the effect of the lobbying act's provisions on municipalities to be completed by October 1, 2001, and delays the effective date of these new regulations until April 1, 2002, six months after the required report.

  2. ALLOWING STATE OFFICERS TO ASSIST IN STATE LEGAL MATTERS
    (Chapter 357 of 2001/A. 8932, Canestrari)

    This law will expand an existing exemption in the public officer's law to allow former state officers and employees to testify in state civil actions and proceedings. Under existing law, in cases in which the attorney general represents a state agency in a civil matter, the attorney general can certify to the ethics commission that a former employee has specific knowledge or expertise that the state could not acquire at comparable cost elsewhere, and therefore that former employee is allowed to testify, appear at depositions and otherwise participate in the case. This law will expand that exemption to allow the agency's general counsel to make the same certification to the state ethics commission in cases in which the attorney general is not representing the agency.

  3. STRATEGIC LAWSUITS AGAINST PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (SLAPP SUITS)
    (Veto memo 24 of 2001, A.8948/Destito)

    This bill would expand the protection offered to the public from legal actions brought against them in retribution for actions seeking to protect the public interest. Under current law, these suits are only prohibited in very specific instances, leaving a great number of individuals open to malicious litigation instigated by public officials in positions of power, when their use of that power is questioned. This bill would expand the number of cases in which public speech and petitioning rights are protected by broadening the definition of public officials to include all those elected or appointed to and employed by a government body or agency.

  4. REVOLVING DOOR EXEMPTIONS
    (A.3199, Canestrari)

    This bill would exempt certain State workers who lost their jobs as a result of the reduction in the State work force in the 1997 calendar year from the two-year bar which prevents a State worker from practicing before the agency where he or she was employed. This is intended to open up new employment opportunities for those workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Rules Committee.

  5. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE BY CANDIDATES FOR STATE OFFICE
    (A.5421, DiNapoli)

    This bill would require that all candidates for state-wide office and the state legislature who file petitions with a party must also submit financial disclose forms for public review. These financial disclosure forms would be due no later than 14 days after the deadline for the filing of petitions.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Finance Committee.




VI.  REGULATORY REFORM

The Governmental Operations Committee has jurisdiction over the State Administrative Procedure Act (SAPA), which governs the conduct of state administrative hearings and proceedings. Regulations are promulgated by agencies in order to carry out their missions and to effect the law. In many cases, regulations issued by State agencies have as much impact on the health, safety, and welfare of citizens as do the laws of the State.

  1. ALTERNATE METHODS OF LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION STANDARDS
    (Chapter 479 of the laws of 2001/A.5217 McLaughlin)

    This law will require agencies to consider petitions from local governments concerning alternative methods of implementing regulatory provisions. There is a need for flexibility in implementing regulations that impose mandates on local governments in order to avoid any unfair burdens placed on small municipalities. This legislation aims to reduce administrative burdens on localities while still having provisions implemented effectively.

  2. LEGISLATIVE NOTICE OF REQUIRED RULES
    (A.62, John)

    This bill would direct state agencies to send a draft notice of proposed rule making changes to the prime legislative sponsors of the bill that created the law. In a 1995 report, "A Revolution in Regulations," the Public Policy Institute argued that agencies sometimes are slow in adopting rules that are required by law and are needed to implement statutory provisions. This bill would mandate state agencies to notify legislative sponsors of any upcoming or necessary change.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business Committee.

  3. THE COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION AND EMPOWERMENT ACT
    (A.1732, Stringer)

    The Community Notification and Empowerment Act would require community notification and review of proposed state-financed facilities in a City of one million or more. This bill would mandate that state-funded facilities in New York City undergo a review process similar to the City Charter Fair Share Process.

    Unfortunately, state-financed facilities are not currently required to undergo the same rigorous review as are City projects. City residents are often uninformed and powerless with regard to placement of state financed facilities because there are no provisions requiring community notification and review. This measure would allow citizens to participate in decisions which affect the character of their neighborhood and the quality of their lives.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Finance Committee.

  4. INCREASING EFFICIENCY IN THE STATE WORKFORCE
    (A.2145, Robach)

    This bill would amend the duties of the State Workforce Investment Board to make them consistent with the Federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998. This bill would create more comprehensive standards for evaluating the preparedness and resourcefulness of the state workforce and the business climate.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Finance Committee.

  5. INCREASED PROTECTION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
    (A.4130, Christensen)

    This bill would protect small businesses from being overcharged fees by state agencies by creating a tier system for certain government and agency fees, based on the size and income of the business. By creating this tier system, the state would be aiding small businesses by making them more able to compete with their larger competitors.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business Committee.

  6. INSTALLMENT PAYMENT PLAN FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
    (A.4132, Christensen)

    This bill would assist small businesses and local governments by enabling them to make installment payments for fees or civil penalties owed to state agencies. Fees are required to ensure that the beneficiaries, and not the taxpayers, bear the costs of obtaining agency permits, and civil penalties are necessary to enforce regulatory standards. These monetary amounts, however, can impose a disproportionate burden on small businesses or local governments. Allowing such entities to resort to installment payments is one way to alleviate that burden. This measure would ensure that any penalty or fee amount of $3000 or more could be paid in quarterly installments.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Businesses Committee.

  7. REGULATORY IMPACT STATEMENTS
    (A.4133, Christensen)

    This bill would improve the rule-making process by providing expanded information on the costs and benefits associated with an agency's proposal. The requirement for regulatory impact statements has improved the quality of rules by requiring agencies to disclose the benefits of a proposal and the costs that would be imposed on the regulated parties.

    In many cases, agencies do not fully address the issues of who would benefit from adoption of a regulation and who would bear the costs. This legislation would require a detailed analysis of the full range of expected benefits and costs of a proposed agency action.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business Committee.

  8. SMALL BUSINESS COMPLIANCE GUIDELINE REGULATIONS
    (A.4706, Christensen)

    This bill would require agencies that regulate small businesses to prepare compliance guides that explain in plain language the actions small businesses are required to take in order to comply with state rules. This would enable the state to replicate the federal Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, which addressed a major small business concern about the way regulations are enforced.

    The Federal Act requires the development and dissemination of "small business compliance guides" by federal regulatory agencies as a way to promote voluntary compliance with regulatory standards. It also requires the development of joint federal-state guides when regulatory responsibilities are shared. This measure would establish the same program of providing plain-language information on compliance requirements with regard to state regulatory programs with small businesses, and encourage the state agencies to cooperate in the development of joint documents.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Commerce Committee.

  9. INCREASING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE RULE MAKING PROCESS
    (A.5218, McLaughlin)

    This bill would establish a pilot program that would require seven state agencies to hold hearings on proposed rules if there is a petition of 100 or more New York State residents. This bill would also authorize these agencies to employ innovative techniques, such as evening and weekend hearings, utilization of broadcast and teleconferencing technologies and roundtable discussions to increase the public participation in these hearings, so long as the utilization of these new technologies and formats does not impede existing access.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business Committee.

  10. REGULATING THE ENACTMENT OF AGENCY RULES AND REGULATIONS
    (A.5220, McLaughlin)

    This bill would add definitions and controls to the State Administrative Procedure Act (SAPA), dealing with the ways in which sub-regulatory documents are created. Currently, the legal status of these documents is not clearly stated and the procedures for handling them vary from agency to agency. This bill would require that their scope be uniformly defined and recognized.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business Committee.

  11. INCREASING PUBLIC INPUT ON RULEMAKING
    (A.5273, McLaughlin)

    This bill would increase the public comment period on proposed rules changes from 45 to 60 days, following their publication in the state register. In addition this bill would require that the public service commission either print their proposed rule changes in the state register 45 days prior to adoption or, in cases in which a hearing is statutorily required on a set of rules, that at least 45 days notice be given for comment before the hearing.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business committee.

  12. EXPANDING THE AUDIT POWERS OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER
    (A.5626, Stringer)

    This bill would require any agency audited by the Office of the Comptroller to provide follow-up reports every 90 days until the recommendations by the comptroller with which the agency concurs have been implemented. These follow up reports must be distributed to all parties who received the original audit and recommendations.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Rules Committee.

  13. REPORTING REQUIREMENT REFORM ACT
    (A.5853-B, Stringer)

    This bill would enact the "Reporting Requirement Reform Act." This measure would provide mandate relief through the elimination of unneeded reporting requirements and would improve government accountability through strengthened reporting requirements.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Rules Committee.




VII.  LEGISLATION AFFECTING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
  1. UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES
    (A.4707, Cahill)

    This bill would expand the state Human Rights law by creating a newly recognized discriminatory practice. This bill would require the owners and proprietors of public places, such as resorts and places of amusement to make all reasonable accommodations to allow individuals with disabilities to utilize their facilities.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Rules Committee.

  2. INCREASING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF PUBLIC ENTITIES TO THE DISABLED
    (A.4885-A, Cahill)

    This bill would define the term "public entity" as the state, state agency, department, or any political subdivision of the state. This bill would expand the definition of unlawful discriminatory practices to include the refusal of such a public entity to make reasonable accommodations to a person with a disability, to allow them to participate as fully as possible in events, and to receive services from the public entity.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Rules Committee.

  3. PROTECTING STATE EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES
    (A.5971, Luster)

    This bill would establish liability on the part of the State for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Under this prospective legislation, employees of the state would attain the right to seek damages in state court for violations of their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In addition, this bill would allow citizens with disabilities to seek damages if the state does not meet the ADA's standards for access to government buildings, programs, and services.

    This bill passed the Assembly but died in the Senate Rules Committee.

  4. INCREASING ACCESSIBLE HOUSING FOR THE DISABLED (A.8931, Cahill)

    This bill would reverse the impact of the adoption of the International Building Code on handicapped accessibility, and reinstate more stringent regulations regarding the mandatory entrances and number of access points for the disabled. The recent adoption of the IBC would greatly reduce the required number of entrances, and the number of units in a multiple dwelling building that must be adaptable, for accessibility by the disabled.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Rules Committee.




VIII.  FIRE AND SAFETY

The Governmental Operations Committee considers legislation concerning the three entities charged with the delivery of emergency services in the State. These agencies are the Office of Fire Prevention and Control in the Department of State, the Bureau of Emergency Services in the Department of Health, and the State Emergency Management Office within the Division of Military and Naval Affairs.

  1. IMPROVING FIRE SAFETY IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
    (Chapter 119 of the laws of 2001, A.125/Gromack)

    This law will require all commercial and industrial structures constructed with truss type construction to display a sign or symbol disclosing the information. Knowledge of the way the building is constructed can be of vital importance to fire and emergency services personnel in the event of an emergency. By making this information readily available on site, safety conditions will be improved for those who work in the building and emergency services personnel. This law does not apply to buildings within the city of New York.

  2. INCREASING THE NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICERS
    (Chapter 551 of the laws of 2001, A.8743/Canestrari)

    This law allows public safety officers at New York's State Universities to complement their public safety officer training with additional training requirements to qualify for police officer certification.

    In 1998, legislation was passed that restored the State University of New York public safety officers to full police officer status. As a result, all new officers will be required to take basic police officer training courses and receive a police officer certification. As a result of this action, additional legislation was enacted, which allowed individuals who had taken the basic training course for public safety officer and who also completed additional training equivalent to that of the police officers training to be certified as police officers. However, individuals who had only taken the public safety officers exam were not permitted to complete the additional training necessary to be certified as police officers in combination with their public safety certification.

  3. CREATING THE THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA GRANT PROGRAM
    (Chapter 469 of the laws of 2001, A.295/Tokasz)

    This law creates a new grant program within the Office of Fire Prevention and Control, intended to aid municipalities in the purchasing of thermal imaging cameras. These important devices allow fire fighters significantly greater visibility in dark, smoke-filled rooms. Having access to this technology saves the lives of both fire fighters and those that they are trying to find. However, these cameras are extremely expensive and the cost alone prevents many departments from obtaining them. This grant program provides either matching funds or total grants, depending on the annual operating budget of the department.

  4. PROVIDING CIVIL SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES TO MERCHANT MARINES
    (A.1736, Tocci)

    This bill would continue the State's practice of recognizing the contributions of the Merchant Marines by extending to them similar benefits that we offer to other members of our armed services. Under current law, military personnel who have applied to take a civil service exam and are then unable to take the examination due to the responsibilities of their military position are entitled to a make up exam when they return home. This bill would offer the same consideration to members of the Merchant Marine.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Veteran and Military Affairs Committee.

  5. BUILDING AND SAFETY CODE COMPLIANCE
    (A.1918, Colman)

    This bill would require the owners of residential properties in Rockland County to register with the county their name, address, and a description of the property. This bill would also require that when ownership changes, the primary residence of the owner changes, or, in the case of cooperate ownership, office location changes, that the new information be provided to the county. By requiring that the owners of residential properties register both their names and addresses, the county will be able to find the owners of buildings that are in violation of the current building code, thus reducing the potential for homes falling into disrepair due to absentee landlords.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Rules Committee.

  6. EXPANDING ARSON PREVENTION
    (A.6603, Levy)

    This bill would allow the police commissioner of Suffolk county to receive reports on arson investigations in place of the county sheriff. Under existing law, fire departments have the right to perform background checks on prospective employees, including the receipt of any arson investigations that the prospective employee has been a part of. However, in Suffolk county, the police commissioner fills that role in place of the county sheriff. This bill would allow the Suffolk County police commissioner to receive the reports and transmit the information required by the fire department to properly screen applicants.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Rules Committee.

  7. PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO THE DIVISION OF MILITARY AND NAVAL AFFAIRS
    (A.7411, Destito)

    This bill would increase the monies available to the Division of Military and Naval Affairs by continuing to allow them to collect and retain the monies collected as rent from public and private users. If the current law were allowed to expire, as it is scheduled to do in March of 2001, the DMNA would be allowed to keep only half of these revenues, but would still be responsible for maintaining these facilities. Although this bill was not enacted in this form, this provision of law was extended until 2003 as a part of the 2001-2002 budget.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Rules Committee.




IX.  OFFICE OF GENERAL SERVICES

  1. TRANSFER OF LAND IN LIVINGSTON COUNTY
    (Chapter 123 of the laws of 2001, A.2367/Tocci)

    This law authorizes the commissioner of the Office of General Services to convey certain real property in the Town of Groveland, Livingston County, to American Legion Post 1341. The Hally-Allen Post (Post 1341) is currently using much of the land adjacent to its post and this act will formally transfer the land to it.

  2. TRANSFER OF LAND IN ORANGE COUNTY
    (Chapter 496 of the laws of 2001, A.6022/ Gunther)

    This law authorizes the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation to transfer state owned lands and buildings to the Orange County Historical Society. This transfer applies only to land and structures that are not needed for the expansion of Stewart Airport, for an amount that is to determined by the involved parties. These properties are being transferred to the historical society due to the historical significance of many of the structures still standing on the property, which have been maintained by the historical society. Should they cease to be used for historical preservation purposes, these lands will revert back to state ownership.

  3. PROPERTY REQUIREMENTS IN SUFFOLK COUNTY
    (Chapter 269 of the laws of 2001, A.6781/Levy)

    This law allows the Town of Islip to alter their 1985-86 land transfer to the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) to allow the Institute to sell surplus lands. Under the terms of the original transfer from the Town to the Institute, there are a number of restrictions placed of NYIT's use of the land, as a result of the conditions of the 1982 transfer of the land from the State to the Town of Islip. This law will allow the Town to submit a resolution changing the conditions regarding the use of the land to the Commissioner of the Office of General Services for approval of the intended use of the land.

  4. PROCUREMENT OF ROCK SALT
    (Chapter 318 of 2001/A.7223, Gantt)

    In 2000, the legislature as a part of the procurement laws created a preference for New York State businesses that supply rock salt for state use. This law creates an expiration date for this practice of preference on October 20, 2002, so it's effectiveness can be reviewed.

  5. TRANSFER OF LAND IN THE CITY OF TROY
    (Chapter 112 of 2001/A.8655, Canestrari)

    This law allows for the transfer of land in the City of Troy to the Altamont Program, Inc., to be used by this organization as a location for programs to serve women and children in need. Should the land be used for any other purpose, under the provisions of this law the title of the land would revert back to the State.

  6. TRANSFER OF LAND IN CAYUGA COUNTY
    (Chapter 533 of the laws of 2001, A.9061/Finch)

    This law allows the State to convey specified property in the Town of Sennett, Cayuga County, to the Town to be used as a public park. If at any time the land is used for any purpose other than a public park, the land will revert back to the State.

  7. AUTHORIZATION FOR EMERGENCY CONSTRUCTION
    (Chapter 73 of the laws of 2001, A.9074/Destito)

    This law extends the expiration date of Chapter 674 of the laws of 1993. This chapter permitted the Commissioner of General Services to authorize, without public bidding, contracts for emergency construction in amounts up to $200,000. Without this chapter amendment, as of June 30, 2001, in emergency situations the commissioner would only be authorized to enter contracts totaling $40,000.

  8. TRANSFER OF LAND IN MANHATTAN
    (Chapter 337 of the laws of 2001, A.9091/ Powell)

    This law allows the sale of state land in the borough of Manhattan to EDAD, Inc., for the price of $1.00. This sale is conditional on the development of the property as a shelter for the homeless in the city of New York, as well as a multi-service center to encourage local development, social services, education, and housing.

  9. TRANSFER OF LAND IN ROCKLAND COUNTY
    (Chapter 221 of the laws of 2001, A.9222/Colman)

    This law authorizes the sale of state land in the town of Orangetown, in the county of Rockland, to the Town. The commissioner of the Office of General Services is empowered to approve the final sale. If the sale takes place, the land must be used for municipal or recreational purposes.




X.  MISCELLANEOUS

  1. POLICE OFFICERS SERVING ABROAD
    (Chapter 248 of the laws of 2001, A.1512/Jacobs)

    The law amends chapter 606 of the laws of 2000, which amended the military law, extending the same benefits to police officers serving in a military capacity abroad that they would receive if they continued to serve as police officers domestically. This law makes technical changes to the process specifying that police officers must receive permission from their employer prior to leaving their positions to go abroad.

  2. INTERNET PRIVACY POLICY ACT
    (Chapter 578 of the laws of 2001, A.2358/Sweeney)

    This law creates the Internet Privacy Policy Act. Under this act, regulations and standards are set forth for state agency website's privacy and disclosure policies. The state office for technology would be responsible for designing a model policy regarding what information can be collected, the length of time it can be stored, and how the collection of that information will be disclosed. All state agencies collecting information about their users will be required to comply with the standards of the model policy.

  3. COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT
    (Chapter 360 of the laws of 2001, A.4422/Jacobs)

    This law extends the authority of the Department of State to administer the Federal Community Services Block Grant program. Under current law, authorization for the important community-based programs financed by this money would expire September 30, 2001. This law postpones the sunset date until September 30, 2002.

  4. CONTINUED EDUCATION FOR REAL ESTATE APPRAISERS
    (Chapter 476 of the laws of 2001, A.4599/Destito)

    This law allows real estate appraisers to complete continuing education requirements through computer-based distance learning courses. Under existing law, it is unclear if the Department of State has the authority to approve this type of internet-based course, because there are not adequate provisions for monitoring and completion of course hours. Use of these computer-based training courses is conditional upon the approval of the specific program by the Department of State.

  5. NOTARY PUBLIC APPLICATION FEES
    (Chapter 129 of the laws of 2001, A.5584/John)

    This law corrects a legislative oversight in a prior chapter. Chapter 171 of the laws of 2000 extends the term of a notary public license from two to four years. Inadvertently, the $10 fee payable to the office of the county clerk for a two-year license was not raised to $20 to correspond with the new four year term. This law will correct that oversight, by making the fee $20 every four years.

  6. CITY OF MECHANICVILLE CITY COURT JUDGE RESIDENCY
    (Veto number 63, A.8317/Casale)

    This bill would allow the acting city court judge for the city of Mechanicville to reside any where in Saratoga County. Under existing law the acting city court judge for this municipality is required to reside within the city boundaries.

  7. TOWN OF SOMERS RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
    (Chapter 206, A.8342/Matusow)

    This law allows the town of Somers, in Westchester County, to hire residents of Dutchess County, which is adjacent to Westchester County, to fill the positions of Town Building Inspector and Court Clerk. Existing law requires that these positions be filled by Westchester County residents, thus severely limiting the number of qualified applicants.

  8. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS IN THE TOWN OF NORTH CASTLE
    (Chapter 238 of 2001/A.8343, Matusow)

    This law will allow the Town of North Castle in Westchester County to hire a non-resident of the Town as the Town Building Inspector. Under existing law this position must be filled by a town resident.

  9. INTERMUNICIPAL WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT
    (Chapter 454 of the laws of 2001, A. 8933/Destito)

    This law eliminates separate categories for waterfront development projects to allow both. This change is intended to encourage the development and revitalization of waterfront properties by making it easier to engage in intermunicipal development projects. The primary source of funding for waterfront redevelopment is through the Environmental Protection fund, and while the existing regulations governing the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act would still apply to grants through the federal government, the state as a whole would benefit by allowing inland waterways to receive monies through the EPA's revitalization programs. By removing these barriers, and therefore opening new funding streams to these redevelopment projects, the state is removing one of the most significant roadblocks to urban revitalization.

  10. REGULATION OF CHARITIES
    (A.871, Morelle)

    This bill would alter existing regulations regarding the financial disclosures that must be made by charitable organizations to include the definition of "professional fund raiser," and to require that these "professional fundraisers" make the same disclosures as individuals who are directly affiliated with the organization for which money is being raised. This bill would also give the attorney general greater ability to regulate and investigate the practices of charitable organizations, as well as altering income thresholds for certain financial disclosures.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Rules Committee.

  11. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION WARNINGS
    (A.6668, Sanders)

    This bill would require notaries who are not attorneys to post a sign in English and Spanish stating that fact. This bill would protect Hispanic immigrants from fraudulent and exploitative dealings by "notaries publics." This type of disclosure is necessary if the individual advertises in Spanish, as the term in Spanish, unlike English, indicates that the individual is entitled to practice law. A sign must be posted, in English and Spanish, stating that a notary is not an attorney or counselor at law licensed to practice law in New York and is not authorized to give legal advice or accept fees for legal advice. Any notary public who violates these regulations, upon conviction, would be fined up to two hundred and fifty dollars.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Finance Committee.




XI.  COMMEMORATION

  1. DESIGNATION OF BASTOGNE DAY
    (Chapter 128 of the laws of 2001, A.5116/Vitaliano)

    This law designates December 16 as Bastogne Day, a day of commemoration. Bastogne Day refers to the battle in Europe during World War II, also known as the Battle of the Bulge, which began December 16, 1944. It was a major German offensive in the Ardennes forest region of Belgium and Luxembourg, which took Allied forces by surprise and was intended to split the Allied forces in Europe by breaking through the Allied lines, crippling Allied fuel supply lines, and exacerbating tensions within the alliance. The American, British, and other Allied forces overcame great odds throughout the battle, including most famously the action of the 101st Airborne Division in holding back German forces at the key Belgian crossroads town Bastogne, thereby preventing German forces from achieving their main objectives. This day is intended to honor the American and European soldiers who battled heroically on that day.

  2. MONUMENT RECOGNIZING FALLEN EMERGENCY SERVICES WORKERS
    (A.2975, Sweeney)

    This bill would authorize the Commissioner of the Office of General Services to erect a monument in either Capitol Park or the Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza in the City of Albany, honoring emergency service workers who have lost their lives.

    This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Rules Committee.




XII.  PUBLIC HEARINGS

The Governmental Operations Committee participated in four public hearings during the 2001 Legislative Session.

911 Emergency Telephone Service
On May 15, 2001, the Committee, in conjunction with the Committees on Local Governments, Ways and Means, Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, and the Assembly Subcommittee on Volunteer Emergency/Ambulance Service held a public hearing to examine 911 emergency telephone service. The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the operation and effectiveness of emergency telephone service throughout New York State.

The Charitable Response to the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack on the World Trade Center
On November 7, 2001, the Committee conducted a joint public hearing with the Speaker and the Committees on Codes, Judiciary, and Oversight, Analysis and Investigation to examine the charitable response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

The purpose of this hearing was to inform the legislature and the public about the planned uses and distribution of charitable donations made in response to the attack on the World Trade Center. As a result of this hearing, the Committee reported and the Assembly passed A.871, which would enhance regulations regarding financial disclosures that must be made by charitable organizations.

September 11, 2001 Emergency Appropriations
On December 4, 2001, the Committee conducted a joint public hearing with the Speaker and the Committees on Ways and Means, and Corporations, Authorities and Commissions to examine emergency appropriations due to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

The purpose of this hearing was to inform the legislature and the public about the status of federal and state appropriations to help New York City and its residents and businesses recover from the September 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center. The hearing was useful in reviewing how much money has been pledged, how much money had been raised and how funds would be dispersed.

Issues Related to the Operation of the Indian Point Nuclear Facility
On December 20, 2001, the Committee participated in a joint hearing with the Committees on Energy and Environmental Conservation in order to examine the operation of the Indian Point Nuclear Facility.

The purpose of this hearing was to obtain information on the safety and operability of the Indian Point Nuclear Facility.




XIII.  CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE 2002 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

  1. IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES

    The Governmental Operations Committee will continue to look at ways to enhance public safety through improving communication systems and other important equipment needs for police, fire and paramedic personnel state wide. Building the state-wide wireless communication system and expanding C-911, expanding the distribution of thermal imaging cameras, and improving the guidelines for use of ballistic body armor are only some of the issues that the Committee hopes to address in the 2002 legislative session.

  2. CRIME VICTIMS

    The Governmental Operations Committee will continue to pursue legislative remedies to the unique problems and struggles faced by crime victims and work to improve the functions and responsiveness of the Crime Victims Board.

    The Committee will again work to achieve Senate passage of its full legislative package. New legislative initiatives will be explored through outreach by the Chair to members of the Crime Victims Board and its Advisory Council as well as to victims and victims' advocates.

    Of particular importance will be efforts to improve victim awareness of the existence of the Board. In addition the Committee will explore such issues as improved compensation levels, particularly an essential personal property award increase, and the need to extend loss of earnings/loss of support coverage to parents or guardians of child victims.




APPENDIX A

2001 SUMMARY SHEET

Summary of Action on All Bills
Referred to Committee on

GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS



Final Action Assembly
Bills
Senate
Bills
Total
Bills


Bills reported With or Without Amendment
Total in Committee 506 28 534
To Floor; not returning to Committee 21 0 21
To Ways and Means Committee 47 0 47
To Codes Committee 31 0 31
To Rules Committee 17 0 17
To Judiciary Committee 1 0 1
Total 117 0 117
Bills Having Committee Reference Changed
To Local Governments Committee202 2 0 2
To Corporations Committee 1 0 1
Total 3 0 3
Senate Bills Substituted or Recalled
Substituted 0 7 7
Recalled 0 1 1
Total 0 8 8
Bills Never Reported, Held in Committee 384 20 404
Bills Never Reported, Died in Committee 0 0 0
Bills Having Enacting Clauses Stricken 2 0 2
Number of Committee Meetings Held 14    



APPENDIX B

CHAPTERS OF 2001


A.125 Gromack Requires that all commercial and industrial structures that utilize truss type construction be identifiable as such in case of emergency. Chapter 119 of the laws of 2001.
A.295-A Tokasz Creates a thermal imaging camera grant program to provide grants to municipalities, fire districts, fire companies, and fire departments with operating budgets of $150,000 or less for the purchase of thermal imaging cameras. Chapter 469 of the laws of 2001.
A.1512 Jacobs Requires public employees who wish to serve the United States Government abroad while receiving pension credit for their service time to receive the authorization of their employees prior to doing so. Chapter 248 of the laws of 2001.
A.2358-B Sweeney Creates the Internet Privacy Policy Act for state agencies. Chapter 578 of the laws of 2000.
A.2367-B Tocci Authorizes the Commissioner of the Office of General Services to convey land in the Town of Groveland, Livingston County, to American Legion Post 1341. Chapter 123 of the laws of 2001.
A.4422 Jacobs Extends the authorization of the Department of State to distribute the Community Services Block Grant for an additional year. Chapter 360 of the Laws of 2001.
A.4516 Mayersohn Extends the period of time during which victims may file a claim with the Crime Victims Board, if they were unaware of the program. Chapter 359 of the laws of 2001.
A.4599 Destito Allows real estate appraisers to complete continuing education requirements through computer based or other distance programs so long as the program in question meets certain monitoring requirements. Chapter 476 of the laws of 2001.
A.5116 Vitaliano Designates December 16 as "Bastogne Day," a day of commemoration. Chapter 128 of the laws of 2001.
A.5217-A McLaughlin Creates a procedure by which local governments may petition for and receive permission to establish alternative methods of implementation of rules enacted by state agencies. Chapter 479 of the laws of 2001.
A.5584-A John Authorizes county clerks to collect an increased fee for the filing of a notary public application, to conform with the increased term length. Chapter 129 of the laws of 2001.
A.5798 Grannis Reinstates provisions of the state lobbying law as it pertains to local governments and requires the submission of a report on the impact of these provisions on municipalities no later than October 1, 2001. Chapter 17 of the laws 2001.
A.6022-B Gunther Authorizes the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation to transfer specified state-owned lands to Orange County. Chapter 496 of the laws of 2001.
A.6781-A Levy Authorizes the Town of Islip to sell land originally purchased from the State, free of the restrictions for land use that were placed on the original sale. Chapter 269 of the laws of 2001.
A.7223 Gantt Enacts an expiration date of October 20, 2002, for the provisions of the state procurement law that allow preferential treatment in the selection of New York State rock salt providers. Chapter 318 of the laws of 2001.
A.8342 Matusow Waives the existing residency requirement for the town building inspector and the court clerk in the Town of Somers, Westchester County. Chapter 206 of the laws of 2001.
A.8343 Matusow Waives the existing residency requirement for the position of town building inspector in the town of North Castle, Westchester County. Chapter 238 of the laws of 2001.
A.8655 Canestrari Authorizes the Office of General Services to transfer property in the City of Troy to the Altamont Program, Inc. Chapter 112 of the laws of 2001.
A.8743 Canestrari Authorizes the State to issue a basic training certificate to peace officers who are now police officers who meet specified requirement for their training. Chapter 551 of the laws of 2001.
A.8932 Canestrari Extends the ability of former state employees to assist the state in lawsuits when counsel other than the Attorney General is representing the state. Chapter 357 of the laws of 2001.
A.8933-A Destito Eliminates the existing categories for waterfront development projects to encourage more cooperative waterfront development efforts. Chapter 454 of the laws of 2001.
A.8956-A Sweeney Requires the creation of uniform research protocol for genetic research that would protect the privacy and anonymity of the individuals whose genetic material is used in such research. Chapter 342 of the laws of 2001.
A.9061-A Finch Authorizes the State to transfer land in the town of Sennet, Cayuga County, for the purpose of creating a park. Chapter 533 of the laws of 2001.
A.9065 Destito Allows state agencies to deny public access to information that would jeopardize the security of their information technology assets. Chapter 368 of the laws of 2001.
A.9074 Destito Extends for an additional 2 years the authority of the Commissioner of General Services to authorize, without public bidding, contracts for emergency construction. Chapter 73 of the laws of 2001.
A.9091 Powell Authorizes the Commissioner of the Office of General Services to sell and convey state lands in Manhattan to EDAD, Inc, a not-for-profit organization, to be used for various economic development and social services in the community. Chapter 551 of the laws of 2001.
A.9222 Colman Authorizes the Commissioner of the Office of General Services to sell certain state lands in Rockland County to the Town of Orangetown. Chapter 221 of the laws of 2001.
A.9278 Destito Expands the definition of income under the "Son of Sam Law" to allow victims of crimes to seek restitution from additional income sources that the perpetrator may have available. Chapter 62 of the laws of 2001.



APPENDIX C

VETOES OF 2001


A.8317 Casale Would allow the acting city court judge for the City of Mechanicville to reside anywhere in Saratoga County. Pocket Veto #63
A.8948 Destito Would expand the definition of the term "public official" to include any person holding a position by election, appointment or employment in any government body. Governor Veto #24



APPENDIX D

BILLS THAT PASSED THE ASSEMBLY


A.62 John Would provide requirements for legislative and administrative involvement in the implementation of rules as required by chapter law.
A.97 Christensen Would direct the Division of Human Rights to institute rules of practice for the consolidation of complaints where appropriate.
A.134 John Would redefine the term public body under the Public Officers Law.
A.871-D Morelle Would make changes to the regulations controlling financial disclosure by certain charitable organizations.
A.970 Luster Would require that public bodies make a reasonable effort to hold meetings in a location that will accommodate all members of the public who wish to attend.
A.1333 Dinowitz Would require that the Crime Victims Board issue awards in accordance with the State Administrative Procedure Act.
A.1439-A Lentol Would regulate the disclosure of information during charitable solicitations.
A.1721 Sidikman Would establish a victims assistance program within the Crime Victims Board.
A.1730 Stringer Would make the willful release of information regarding the statewide registry for orders of protection and family offense warrants to persons not authorized to receive such information a class A misdemeanor.
A.1732 Stringer Would require that state agencies proposing a change in state facilities in any city with a population of 1 million or more to submit written notice of such proposals with a solicitation for recommendations to the city and community planning boards, the senate and assembly representatives in the area and the borough president, as well as requiring that the agency act on recommendation from these parties.
A.1736 Tocci Would provide members of the Merchant Marine who were unable to compete in a civil service exam due to active duty an opportunity to take a make up exam.
A.1918 Colman Would require that owners of residential dwellings in Rockland County notify the county of the name of the owners as well as their primary residence or office.
A.1953 Hoyt Would require that the executive maintain specified public and private records, as well as establishing protocol for control of the records following the governor's term in office.
A.1971 Sanders Would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, defined as heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or asexuality, in employment, credit, education or other matters.
A.1978 Stringer Would require that public bodies make reasonable efforts to have qualified interpreters for the hearing impaired at public meetings.
A.1985 Sidikman Would require the development and implementation of uniform procedures to be used to notify crime victims of their rights.
A.2039-A John Would rename agency buildings 1, 2, 3, and 4 after Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini.
A.2145 Robach Would require the submission of evaluation reports and program plans to the state workforce investment board.
A.2146 John Would require that certain officials keep records of their communications with regard to rulemaking, and that these records be make available to the public.
A.2215 John Would allow revenues raised by fines being paid under the state's antitrust laws to be paid to the Crime Victims' Board.
A.2341 Sanders Would allow individuals to bring valid civil suits in relation to human rights violations for 3 years after their cases are dismissed for administrative reasons by the Division of Human Rights.
A.2973 Sanders Would change reporting requirements for the Crime Victims Board regarding restitution and fair treatment standards from annual to biannual.
A.2975 Sweeney Would authorize the Office of General Services to erect in Capitol Park or the Empire State Plaza, a monument in honor of emergency service workers who have lost their lives.
A.3199 Canestrari Would limit restriction of business and political activities of certain state employees who where terminated after January 1, 1995, and before April 1, 2002, for certain reasons such as economic changes, abolition of duties, or consolidation within their departments
A.3747 Sweeney Would make language changes increasing the effectiveness of the statute to prohibit discrimination based on an individual's genetic predispositions.
A.3909 Pretlow Would authorize the Crime Victims' Board to accept official documentation other than a police report in cases of rape, sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence.
A.3960 Galef Would make references in the constitution gender neutral or to include females, where appropriate.
A.4130 Christensen Would provide relief to small businesses and the public from excessive fees imposed by state agencies.
A.4132 Christensen Would authorize fines, with the exception of traffic tickets, in excess of $300 dollars, to be paid in installments.
A.4133 Christensen Would require that regulatory impact statements detail the benefits and costs of proposals.
A.4321 Ortiz Would redefine the term "necessary court appearance" when determining an individual's award from the Crime Victims' Board.
A.4540 Mayersohn Would increase amount the Crime Victims Board may award for replacement of personal property from $100 to $750.
A.4706 Christensen Would require that rule-making agencies provide an easily understandable small business guide, informing small business owners what they must do to be in compliance.
A.4707 Cahill Would more effectively protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination in public accommodations.
A.4715 Finch Would authorize the transfer of land in Cayuga county to the Sennett Fire District.
A.4885-A Cahill Would make the scope of protection for individuals with disabilities under the state human rights law consistent with federal legislation.
A.5218 McLaughlin Would authorize the use of innovative techniques to enhance public participation in the rulemaking process, provided that all existing opportunities to participate remain undiminished.
A.5220 McLaughlin Would enact regulations and guidelines regarding rulemaking under the State Administrative Procedure Law.
A.5273 McLaughlin Would extend the period provided for public review and comment on proposed rules and rule changes.
A.5296 Clark Would prohibit individuals and organizations from charging different prices for identical services on the basis of sex.
A.5416 DiNapoli Would prohibit the practice of compensating employees of different sexes differently for work of comparable value.
A.5420 DiNapoli Would establish a crime victims' ombudsman within the Division of Criminal Justice Services.
A.5421 DiNapoli Would provide that candidates for statewide office and the state legislature must submit financial disclosure forms no less than 14 days after the last day for the submission of petitions for their parties' primaries.
A.5494 DiNapoli Would raise the level of claims to $6,000 before financial difficulty needs to be established to receive Crime Victims Board restitution.
A.5495 DiNapoli Would remove the $100,000 homestead value cap when determining financial eligibility for Crime Victims Board awards.
A.5566 DiNapoli Would require that the Crime Victims Board issue receipts for claims filed.
A.5567 DiNapoli Would alter the composition of the Crime Victims' Board to require that one member be a health care provider with experience treating or counseling crime victims.
A.5626 Stringer Would require that the State Comptroller's Office provide follow up reviews to examine the status of recommendations made in previous audits.
A.5635 DiNapoli Would require the Division of Criminal Justice Services to provide the FBI criminal history report on individuals seeking employment as caregivers to the prospective employers.
A.5650 Gottfried Would make it the duty of the superintendents and chief executives of public buildings to equip their buildings with an external defibrillator.
A.5821-A Brodsky Would require the offer of state property that is no longer being used by the state to the municipality and then the county in which it located before being offered to other buyers.
A.5853-A Stringer Would consolidate and reduce certain reporting requirements by state agencies, while increasing the public dissemination of required reports.
A.5971-B Luster Would waive the immunity of the State and its subdivisions for actions resulting from violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
A.6603 Levy Would provide that completed arson investigations could be sent to the Suffolk County Police Commissioner rather than the County Sheriff.
A.6668 Sanders Would require that notaries public who are not attorneys and who advertise in Spanish must disclose that they are not attorneys and may not dispense legal advice.
A.7244-A Gunther Would establish a state area health education committee and outline the duties, responsibilities, and powers of this committee.
A.7306-A John Would enact the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) payment act, to provide direct reimbursement to hospitals that provide health care forensic exams.
A.7411 Destito Would extend the provisions of law that allow State's Division of Military and Naval Affairs to continue to collect rent on the armories, which it maintains.
A.7912-A McEneny Would allow the Commissioner of General Services to sell land in Albany County to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany.
A.8782-A Sweeney Would authorize the Commissioner of the Office of General Services to sell lands of the Pilgrim Psychiatric Center to Hope for Youth, Inc.
A.8813-A Sweeney Would authorize the Commissioner of the Office of General Services to sell lands of the Pilgrim Psychiatric Center to Hope for Youth, Inc.
A.8931 Cahill Would require that the uniform building codes address standards for handicapped accessibility.


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