Bill > A00435

This bill modifies the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law to provide more flexibility in maintaining regional representation on the Council of the Arts. Specifically, the bill allows the council to avoid being considered out of compliance with regional representation requirements when a vacancy occurs, as long as two conditions are met: first, the vacancy is filled within a reasonable time, and second, the new appointment moves the council's composition closer to the goal of having at least one member from each of the ten regions of the state (as defined by Empire State Development Corporation). The bill removes language that previously required the council to fill vacancies as each one occurs "to the extent practicable" and replaces it with a more lenient standard that focuses on the overall progress toward full regional representation. This change provides the council with more administrative flexibility while still maintaining the intent of ensuring diverse geographic representation. The bill will take effect simultaneously with another related bill that also addresses the council's regional composition.

Business and Industry

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A435