BILL NUMBER:S7219

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the public officers law, in relation
to the Erie county stadium corporation complying with the open
meetings law

PURPOSE:

To require any working group, subcommittee, advisory committee, or
subsidiary of the Erie County Stadium Corporation created by its lease
with Erie County to follow the open meetings law and make their
deliberations public.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends the public officers law by adding a new section 103-a
that states that any working group, subcommittee, advisory committee,
or subsidiary created by the Erie County Stadium Corporation through
its lease agreement with Erie County shall be required to comply with
the open meetings law.

Section 2 states that this act shall take effect immediately.

JUSTIFICATION:

After the unfortunate passing of Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson Jr.,
              

there has been significant interest in the future of the team and
making sure the Bills stay in Western New York. The New Stadium
Working Group, an advisory committee created under the Erie County
Stadium Corporation, has been tasked with determining potential sites
for building a new stadium and exploring the feasibility of making
additional renovations to the team's current Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Ninety five million dollars in state and county funds has already been
committed to improving the team's current stadium in Orchard Park.
With the vast amount of public money involved as well as the important
economic and cultural impact on Western New York, the New Stadium
Working Group should be subject to the open meetings law. This bill
would ensure this process is open and transparent.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Immediately.