Bill > A01288

This bill requires governmental and certain nongovernmental entities to proactively publish public records on the internet that are of public interest. The legislation amends the New York Public Officers Law to expand transparency requirements, with key provisions including: mandating that state agencies maintain websites with easily accessible information about records requests, establishing a more diverse and transparent process for appointing members to the Committee on Open Government, creating new procedures for responding to records requests, and introducing an appeals process for denied requests. The bill broadens the definition of what constitutes a "public agency" and requires agencies to make publishable state data available online, post their current fiscal year budget on their homepage, and respond to records requests more comprehensively. Additionally, the legislation establishes an informal mediation program, requires agencies to provide more detailed explanations when denying records requests, and creates a presumption that requestors are entitled to records unless there is a clear legal reason for withholding them. The bill aims to increase government transparency by leveraging technology to make public information more accessible and by creating more robust mechanisms for citizens to obtain government records.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1288