Bill > A00549

This bill amends the New York Public Officers Law to encourage government agencies and state legislature houses to proactively publish records of public interest on their websites when technologically feasible. The legislation recognizes that technological advances have made it easier to disseminate public information and seeks to enhance government transparency by requiring agencies to identify and publish records that are of substantial public interest and already available under existing freedom of information laws. The bill includes important safeguards, such as preventing the publication of records that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy and allowing agencies to remove records when they are no longer of substantial interest or have reached their legal retention period. The Committee on Open Government will be responsible for creating regulations to implement this new requirement, and agencies retain the discretion to publish records proactively even before receiving a formal request. The legislation aims to make government more accessible and responsive to the public by leveraging digital technology to share information more widely and efficiently. The act will take effect 90 days after becoming law.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A549