Bill > A00576

This bill establishes a new nonpartisan Division of Research and Analysis within the legislative library to provide independent research and analytical support to members of the New York State Legislature. The division will be led by a director appointed jointly by the Speaker of the Assembly and the Senate Majority Leader, selected from a list of nominees compiled by a committee of university presidents. The division's primary functions include preparing confidential research memoranda for individual legislators upon request, creating public research materials on legislative issues, and providing unbiased analytical support to all legislative members. The director will be appointed for a four-year term and can only be removed through a joint agreement by legislative leadership and a two-thirds vote in both chambers. Staffing decisions will be made solely based on professional qualifications, without political considerations, and the division is mandated to operate without partisan bias. The division will also be required to submit an annual report detailing its activities and efforts to make research products publicly accessible. The bill aims to empower the legislature by providing a trustworthy, independent source of policy research and analysis that serves all members equally.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A576