Bill > S00412

This bill amends the executive law to grant the New York state legislature the authority to direct the attorney general to conduct inquiries into matters of public peace, public safety, and public justice through a concurrent resolution. Currently, such inquiries can only be initiated by the governor, but this bill allows the legislature to independently launch investigations. The proposed changes give the legislature significant investigative powers, including the ability to subpoena witnesses, compel testimony under oath, and request documents and electronic records. The bill also establishes that these legislative-directed investigations would be conducted independently, free from interference by the governor or other state agencies. The attorney general would have discretion to appoint staff without civil service examination, determine their duties, and set compensation with legislative approval. Investigative reports would be submitted to the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly, and any unauthorized disclosure of investigation details would be considered a misdemeanor. The funding for such inquiries would come from legislative appropriations, with disbursements managed jointly by the legislature and the attorney general.