Bill > S05847

This bill enacts the Integrity in Government Act, which significantly expands the powers and duties of the Committee on Open Government in New York State. The bill enhances the committee's role in overseeing public access to government records and meetings by giving it new investigative and enforcement capabilities. Specifically, the committee can now hold hearings, subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and receive evidence when investigating potential violations of open government laws. The bill establishes a more robust appeals process for individuals denied access to public records or meetings, allowing them to file appeals directly with the committee within 30 days of a denial. The committee gains the authority to order agencies to provide relief, declare actions void, and even impose civil penalties ranging from $20 to $1,000 against officials who unreasonably deny access to records or meetings. Additionally, the committee can now use mediation to resolve disputes and has expanded standing to defend its decisions in court. The bill also requires state agencies to maintain and update lists of their records and post specific information about records access on their websites, with links to the committee's website. These changes aim to increase government transparency and provide citizens with more tools to access public information.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5847