NY State Senate Bill 2015-S2663A

Senate Bill S2663A

2015-2016 Legislative Session

Changes the state fiscal year from April first to June first, changes time frames for school district elections and notice of elections and submission of a property tax report card

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Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Feb 01, 2016	print number 2663a
Feb 01, 2016	amend and recommit to finance
Jan 06, 2016	referred to finance
Jan 27, 2015	referred to finance

Bill Amendments

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A (Active)

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2015-S2663 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A5695
Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: State Finance Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §§3 & 23, St Fin L; amd §§2022, 2601-a, 2003, 2004, 1608, 2515, 2006 & 2007, Ed L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2009-2010: S5221, A662
2011-2012: S418, A5918
2013-2014: S3418, A2748
2017-2018: S5012, A8556
2019-2020: S4346
2021-2022: S3111
2023-2024: S4452

2015-S2663 - Summary

Changes the state fiscal year from April first to June first with such fiscal year ending the next following thirty-first day of May; changes time frames for school district elections and notice of elections and submission of a property tax report card.

2015-S2663 - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S2663

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the state finance law, in relation to
changing the state fiscal year from the first of April to the first of
June and requiring revisions of the consensus forecast of the economy,
estimates of receipts for the current and the ensuing state fiscal
year and the joint report of the director of the budget and the
secretary of the senate finance committee and the secretary of the
assembly ways and means committee, and directing the state comptroller
to provide estimates for receipts for the  current and ensuing state
fiscal year; and to amend the education law, in relation to the timing
and notice of annual elections in school districts and the submission
of a property tax report card and the calculation of the fiscal year
for certain school districts

PURPOSE:

This legislation proposes to change the start of the state fiscal year
from April 1 to June 1 to ensure vital personal income tax data due
April 15 is fully assessed in the revenue forecasting and budget
negotiations processes. Executive and legislative fiscal leaders shall
be required to reconvene on or after April 15 and establish by May 1 a
consensus forecast of the economy and estimates of receipts. The May 1
joint report shall revise the initial consensus forecast of the
economy and estimates of receipts due by March 1.

Further, to accommodate school district trustees who need to know how
much state aid they will receive in the ensuing fiscal year, the
uniform school budget voting day shall be moved from the third Tuesday
of May to the fourth Tuesday of June. To make accommodations for
budget revotes, the uniform revoting day shall be moved to the fourth
Tuesday of July from the third Tuesday of June. Also, school
districts' fiscal year start date shall be shifted to August 1 from
July 1. Reporting deadlines and requirements for school budget notice
advertisements and property tax report cards shall be advanced to
assist districts in adjusting to this new school budget voting cycle.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Amends § 3 of the state finance law to change the start of the state
fiscal year to June 1.

Amends subdivision 6 of § 23 of the state finance law to require the
senate finance committee, assembly ways and means committee and
division of budget to reconvene on or after April 15 to revise the
consensus forecast. of the economy and estimates of receipts for the
current and ensuing fiscal years. By May 1, the senate finance
committee, assembly ways and means committee and division of budget
shall issue a revised version of the joint executive-legislative
consensus report that was initially due March 1. In cases when a
revised joint executive-legislative consensus report is not issued by
May 1, the comptroller, on or before May 5, shall provide estimates
for receipts for the current and ensuing state fiscal years.

Amends subdivision 1 of § 2022 of the education law to change the
uniform school budget voting day to the fourth Tuesday of June.


Amends subdivision 2 of § 2601-a of the education law to eliminate in
2011 the second Tuesday of May as the alternative uniform school
budget voting day.

Amends subdivision 1 of § 2003 of the education law to require each
common school district advertise in local newspapers notices about
school budget votes two times in the three weeks preceding the annual
meeting and election, with the first advertisement appearing 18 days
prior to the vote. Each district shall also predominately post on its
official school web site this budget vote information throughout the
three weeks next preceding the annual meeting, with the first
publication appearing eighteen days before the meeting.

Amends subdivision 1 of § 2004 of the education law to require each
union free school district advertise notices in local newspapers about
school budget votes two times in the three weeks preceding the vote,
with the first advertisement appearing 18 days prior to the vote. Each
district shall also predominately post on its official school web site
this budget vote information throughout the three weeks next preceding
the annual meeting, with the first publication appearing eighteen days
before the meeting.

Amends paragraph b of subdivision 7 of § 1608 of the education law to
require school districts to submit their property tax report cards to
the department of education no later than the eighteen days prior to
the statewide uniform voting day.

Amends § 2515 of the education law to set a August 1 to July 31 fiscal
year cycle for schools.

Amends subdivision 3 of § 2006 of the education law to set for common
school districts the uniform school budget revoting day as the fourth
Tuesday of July and an alternative day as the third Tuesday of July.

Amends paragraph b of subdivision 3 of § 2007 of the education law to
set for union free school districts the uniform school budget revoting
day as the fourth Tuesday of July and an alternative day as the third
Tuesday of July.

EXISTING LAW:

Section 3 of the state finance law provides for an April 1 to March 31
fiscal year cycle.

Subdivision 6 of § 23 of the state finance law requires the senate
finance committee, assembly ways and means committee and division of
budget to issue on or before March 1 a joint report containing a
consensus forecast of the economy and estimates of receipts for the
current and ensuing fiscal year.

Subdivision 1 of § 2022 of the education law sets the third Tuesday of
May each year as the uniform school budget voting day.

Subdivision 2 of § 2601-a sets the second Tuesday in May each Year as
an alternative uniform school budget voting day in lieu of a conflict
with religious observances on the third Tuesday of May.


Subdivision 1 of § 2003 of the education law requires each common
school district to advertise in local newspapers notices about school
budget votes four times in the seven weeks preceding the annual
meeting and election, with the first advertisement appearing
forty-five days prior to the vote.

Subdivision 1 of § 2004 of the education law requires each union free
school district to advertise in local newspapers notices about school
budget votes four times in the seven weeks preceding the annual
meeting and election, with the first advertisement appearing
forty-five days prior to the vote.

Paragraph b of subdivision 7 of § 1608 of the education law requires
school districts to submit their property tax report cards to the
department of education no later than the twenty-four days prior to
the statewide uniform voting day.

§ 2515 of the education law sets a July 1 to June 30 fiscal year cycle
fot schools.

Subdivision 3 of § 2006 of the education law sets for common school
districts the uniform school budget revoting day as the third Tuesday
of June and an alternative day as the second Tuesday of June.

Paragraph b of subdivision 3 of § 2007 of the education law sets for
union free school districts the uniform school budget revoting day as
the third Tuesday of June and an alternative day as the second Tuesday
of June.

JUSTIFICATION:

Much has changed since the Legislature last changed the start of New
York State's fiscal year. When lawmakers in 1943 shifted New York to
an April 1 fiscal year, the State suffered from budgets that were
passed too early; the State typically ended its fiscal year on June 30
with huge surpluses that irked taxpayers; and the Legislature often
passed the Executive Budget with little to no changes. And while the
rationale for changing the fiscal year. in 1943 had its merits, they
are not applicable to modern times.

A host of deficiencies in the budget process stem from the April 1
start date. These problems range from poor revenue forecasting to
difficulties in establishing a firm revenue consensus between
Executive and Legislative fiscal leaders. These problems often
contribute to others later in the process, such as a lack of
transparency in the form of a shortened conference committee process
or inadequate consideration of the budget before the vote on it.
Also, when actual revenues fall short of these estimates, the
Legislature often finds itself reconvening to fill
multi-billion-dollar budget holes.

A June 1 fiscal year is a superior option for New York. It would
afford legislators six weeks to make use of the most recent quarterly
personal income tax data, which is due on April 15. To ensure this
vital tax data that is incorporated into the budget negotiation
process, this bill would require Executive and Legislative fiscal
leaders to reconvene on or after April 15 and by May 1 issue a revised


version of the consensus forecast of the economy and estimates of
receipts they agreed upon two months earlier.

Further, to ensure school districts know how much state aid they will
receive in the ensuing fiscal year, the third-Tuesday-in-May uniform
school budget voting day would be pushed past the start of the fiscal
year on June 1. This bill proposes a fourth-Tuesday-of-June uniform
school budget voting day. This later uniform voting day would provide
district trustees with ample time to prepare budgets with accurate
state aid figures and eliminate much of the guesswork they are often
forced to perform under an April 1 budget cycle. To address conflicts
caused by budget revotes after school districts' fiscal year start
date on July 1, the fiscal year start date shall be moved to August 1
and the uniform revoting day shall be shifted to the fourth Tuesday of
July from the third Tuesday of June.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Minimal.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect on January 1, 2017.

2015-S2663 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  2663

                       2015-2016 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                            January 27, 2015
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sens.  KRUEGER,  MONTGOMERY,  SERRANO  -- read twice and
  ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee  on
  Finance

AN ACT to amend the state finance law, in relation to changing the state
  fiscal year from the first of April to the first of June and requiring
  revisions  of  the  consensus  forecast  of  the economy, estimates of
  receipts for the current and the ensuing state  fiscal  year  and  the
  joint  report  of  the director of the budget and the secretary of the
  senate finance committee and the secretary of the  assembly  ways  and
  means  committee, and directing the state comptroller to provide esti-
  mates for receipts for the  current and ensuing state fiscal year; and
  to amend the education law, in relation to the timing  and  notice  of
  annual  elections in school districts and the submission of a property
  tax report card and the calculation of the  fiscal  year  for  certain
  school districts

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Section 3 of the state finance law, as added by  chapter  1
of the laws of 1943 and as separately renumbered by chapters 405 and 957
of the laws of 1981, is amended to read as follows:
  S  3.  Fiscal  year.  1.  The  current  fiscal year of the state which
commenced with the first  day  of  [July,  nineteen  hundred  forty-two]
APRIL, TWO THOUSAND SIXTEEN, is hereby [abridged] EXTENDED and shall end
with  the thirty-first day of [March, nineteen hundred forty-three] MAY,
TWO THOUSAND SEVENTEEN.  For all purposes of determining  annual  incre-
ments  of  state  employees  pursuant  to  the  education law, the civil
service law or other state law, and for all  purposes  whenever  by  law
some act is to be performed or time is to be measured by the fiscal year
of  the state, the current fiscal year, as so [abridged] EXTENDED, shall
be deemed to be a full  year  unless  the  context  clearly  requires  a
contrary construction.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD05633-01-5

S. 2663                             2

  On  and  after  the first day of [April, nineteen hundred forty-three]
JUNE, TWO THOUSAND SEVENTEEN, the fiscal year  of  the  state,  for  the
purpose  of  budget, appropriations, receipts and disbursements of state
moneys and all other state affairs which  are  regulated  in  accordance
with or based on fiscal years, including the fiscal affairs of all state
departments,  commissions,  boards,  agencies, offices and institutions,
shall begin with the first day of [April] JUNE and  end  with  the  next
following thirty-first day of [March] MAY.
  2.  All  books  and accounts in the offices of the comptroller and the
department of taxation and finance shall be kept by  fiscal  years.  All
annual  accounts  required  to be rendered to the comptroller or to such
department by any person shall be closed  on  the  thirty-first  day  of
[March]  MAY in each year, and be rendered as soon thereafter as practi-
cable, if no time is specially prescribed by law.
  3. Where any statute provides, in terms or effect, that any  inventory
or  account,  or  a  report relating in whole or in part to receipts and
disbursements of money, be made to the legislature or any state  officer
annually,  or for a year, by a department, commission, board, or officer
under the state government, such inventory or account, and  such  report
so  far  as  it relates to such receipts and disbursements, shall be for
the preceding  fiscal  year,  unless  the  calendar  year  be  expressly
mentioned.
  4.  Existing  provisions  of  other  laws describing or referring to a
fiscal year of the state as beginning  [July]  APRIL  first  and  ending
[June  thirtieth]  MARCH  THIRTY-FIRST,  or  making any requirement with
respect to such fiscal year, or referring to any year so  beginning  and
ending  which applies to inventories or accounts in state matters, or to
reports relating to state money or property, shall be deemed modified by
and be construed in connection with this section, and be deemed to refer
to a fiscal or to another year or period beginning and ending as  [here-
in] prescribed IN THIS SECTION for a fiscal year.
  S  2. Subdivision 6 of section 23 of the state finance law, as amended
by chapter 1 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
  6. Consensus economic and revenue forecasting conference; report.  (a)
(1) By the end of February in each year, prior to the report required by
paragraph  (b) of this subdivision, the chairperson and ranking minority
member of the senate finance  committee,  the  chairperson  and  ranking
minority  member of the assembly ways and means committee and the direc-
tor of the budget shall jointly convene a consensus economic and revenue
forecasting conference in the  form  of  a  joint  legislative-executive
hearing,  for  the purpose of assisting the governor and the legislature
in reaching the consensus revenue forecast required by paragraph (b)  of
this subdivision. The conveners of the conference shall invite the state
comptroller  and  such other participants to the conference as shall, in
their judgment, provide guidance on the current conditions in, and prob-
able outlook for the performance of, the economy of the state,  as  well
as the effect of such conditions and such performance on state receipts.
  (2)  ON OR AFTER APRIL FIFTEENTH, THE CHAIRPERSON AND RANKING MINORITY
MEMBER OF THE SENATE FINANCE  COMMITTEE,  THE  CHAIRPERSON  AND  RANKING
MINORITY  MEMBER OF THE ASSEMBLY WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE AND THE DIREC-
TOR OF THE BUDGET SHALL JOINTLY RECONVENE TO REVISE THE CONSENSUS  FORE-
CAST  OF  THE  ECONOMY AND ESTIMATES OF RECEIPTS FOR THE CURRENT AND THE
ENSUING STATE FISCAL YEAR. THE REVISED CONSENSUS FORECAST OF THE ECONOMY
AND ESTIMATES OF RECEIPTS SHALL INCORPORATE THE MOST CURRENT TAX REVENUE
AND ANY OTHER PERTINENT FISCAL INFORMATION.

S. 2663                             3

  (b) (1) On or before March first in each year,  the  director  of  the
budget  and the secretary of the senate finance committee and the secre-
tary of the assembly ways and means committee shall issue a joint report
containing a consensus forecast of the economy and estimates of receipts
for  the  current  and  the ensuing state fiscal year. Such estimates of
receipts shall include, but not be limited to: expected tax receipts  on
an  all-funds basis, projected lottery receipts, and anticipated miscel-
laneous receipts to be received in the general  fund.  The  estimate  of
receipts  for  the ensuing fiscal year contained in the report, shall be
all receipts from such sources described in this  subdivision  available
to make disbursements authorized by the appropriation bills submitted by
the governor pursuant to section three of article seven of the constitu-
tion for the ensuing fiscal year.
  (2)  ON  OR  BEFORE MAY FIRST IN EACH YEAR, THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUDGET
AND THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE  SECRETARY  OF
THE  ASSEMBLY  WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE SHALL ISSUE A REVISED VERSION OF
THE JOINT REPORT THAT WAS INITIALLY DUE BY MARCH FIRST AND THAT CONTAINS
A CONSENSUS FORECAST OF THE ECONOMY AND ESTIMATES OF RECEIPTS.
  (c) (1) On a failure of the director of the budget, the  secretary  of
the  senate finance committee and the secretary of the assembly ways and
means committee to issue a joint report containing a consensus  forecast
as  provided in paragraph (b) of this subdivision, the state comptroller
shall, on or before March fifth, provide estimates of receipts  for  the
current and the ensuing state fiscal year. Such estimates shall include,
but  not  be  limited  to,  expected tax receipts on an all-funds basis,
projected lottery receipts, and miscellaneous receipts to be received in
the general fund. In rendering his or her estimate, as required in  this
paragraph,  the comptroller shall give due consideration to the inherent
risks in economic and revenue forecasting and the interest of the  state
to  maintain  budget balance throughout the fiscal year. The estimate of
receipts for the ensuing fiscal year provided by the state  comptroller,
shall  be all receipts from such sources available to make disbursements
authorized by the appropriation bills submitted by the governor pursuant
to section three of article seven of the constitution  for  the  ensuing
fiscal year.
  (2)  ON  A  FAILURE OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUDGET AND THE SECRETARY OF
THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE SECRETARY OF THE ASSEMBLY WAYS  AND
MEANS COMMITTEE TO ISSUE A JOINT REPORT REVISING THE MARCH FIRST CONSEN-
SUS  FORECAST  THE  STATE  COMPTROLLER  SHALL,  ON  OR BEFORE MAY FIFTH,
PROVIDE ESTIMATES FOR RECEIPTS FOR THE CURRENT AND ENSUING STATE  FISCAL
YEAR.  SUCH ESTIMATES SHALL INCORPORATE THE MOST CURRENT TAX REVENUE AND
ANY OTHER PERTINENT FISCAL INFORMATION.
  S 3. Subdivision 1 of section 2022 of the education law, as amended by
section 7 of part A of chapter 97 of the laws of  2011,  is  amended  to
read as follows:
  1.  Notwithstanding any law, rule or regulation to the contrary, PRIOR
TO TWO THOUSAND SEVENTEEN the election of trustees  or  members  of  the
board of education, and the vote upon the appropriation of the necessary
funds to meet the estimated expenditures, in any common school district,
union  free  school  district,  central  school district or central high
school district shall be held at the annual meeting and election on  the
third  Tuesday  in  May,  provided, however, that such election shall be
held on the second Tuesday in May if the commissioner at the request  of
a  local  school  board  certifies  no  later than March first that such
election would conflict with religious observances.   COMMENCING IN  TWO
THOUSAND  SEVENTEEN, THE ELECTION OF TRUSTEES OR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF

S. 2663                             4

EDUCATION, AND THE VOTE UPON THE APPROPRIATION OF THE NECESSARY FUNDS TO
MEET THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES, IN ANY COMMON  SCHOOL  DISTRICT,  UNION
FREE  SCHOOL  DISTRICT,  CENTRAL  SCHOOL DISTRICT OR CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
DISTRICT  SHALL BE HELD AT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTION ON THE FOURTH
TUESDAY IN JUNE. The sole trustee, board of trustees or board of  educa-
tion  of  every  common,  union  free,  central  or  central high school
district and every city school district to which  this  article  applies
shall  hold  a budget hearing not less than seven nor more than fourteen
days prior to the annual meeting and election or special district  meet-
ing  at  which  a  school  budget vote will occur, and shall prepare and
present to the voters at such budget hearing a proposed school  district
budget for the ensuing school year.
  S  4. Subdivision 2 of section 2601-a of the education law, as amended
by section 9 of part A of chapter 97 of the laws of 2011, is amended  to
read as follows:
  2.  The board of education shall conduct all annual and special school
district meetings for the purpose of adopting a school  district  budget
in  the  same  manner as a union free school district in accordance with
the provisions of article forty-one of this title, except  as  otherwise
provided  by  this  section.  [The] PRIOR TO TWO THOUSAND SEVENTEEN, THE
annual meeting and election of each such city school district  shall  be
held  on  the  third Tuesday of May in each year, provided, however that
such annual meeting and election shall be held on the second Tuesday  in
May if the commissioner at the request of a local school board certifies
no  later  than March first that such election would conflict with reli-
gious observances, and any school budget revote shall  be  held  on  the
date  and  in  the same manner specified in subdivision three of section
two thousand seven of this title.  PRIOR TO TWO THOUSAND SEVENTEEN,  THE
ANNUAL  MEETING  AND ELECTION OF EACH SUCH CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL BE
HELD ON THE THIRD TUESDAY OF MAY IN EACH YEAR,  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER  THAT
SUCH  ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTION SHALL BE HELD ON THE SECOND TUESDAY IN
MAY IF THE COMMISSIONER AT THE REQUEST OF A LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD CERTIFIES
NO LATER THAN MARCH FIRST THAT SUCH ELECTION WOULD CONFLICT  WITH  RELI-
GIOUS  OBSERVANCES,  AND  ANY  SCHOOL BUDGET REVOTE SHALL BE HELD ON THE
DATE AND IN THE SAME MANNER SPECIFIED IN SUBDIVISION  THREE  OF  SECTION
TWO  THOUSAND  SEVEN  OF THIS TITLE. The provisions of this article, and
where applicable subdivisions nine and  nine-a  of  section  twenty-five
hundred  two of this title, governing the qualification and registration
of voters, and procedures for the nomination and election of members  of
the  board  of  education  shall continue to apply, and shall govern the
qualification and registration of  voters  and  voting  procedures  with
respect to the adoption of a school district budget.
  S 5. Subdivision 1 of section 2003 of the education law, as amended by
chapter 64 of the laws of 1993, is amended to read as follows:
  1. The district clerk of each common school district shall give notice
of  the  availability  of  the statement of expenditures pursuant to the
provisions of section sixteen hundred eight of this [chapter] TITLE  and
shall  also  give  notice of the time and place of the annual meeting by
publishing a notice [four] TWO times within the [seven] THREE weeks next
preceding such annual meeting, the first  publication  to  be  at  least
[forty-five]  EIGHTEEN  days  before  said meeting, in two newspapers if
there shall be two, or in one newspaper  if  there  shall  be  but  one,
having  general  circulation  within  such district. But if no newspaper
shall then have general circulation therein, the said  notice  shall  be
posted  in  at  least  twenty of the most public places in said district
forty-five days before the time of such meeting.    THE  CLERK  OF  EACH

S. 2663                             5

COMMON SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL POST PREDOMINATELY ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S
OFFICIAL  WEBSITE  THE  NOTICE  OF  THE AVAILABILITY OF THE STATEMENT OF
EXPENDITURES PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION SIXTEEN HUNDRED EIGHT
OF  THIS  TITLE,  AND  SHALL  ALSO  POST  PREDOMINATELY  ON  THE  SCHOOL
DISTRICT'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE THE TIME AND PLACE  OF  THE  ANNUAL  MEETING
THROUGHOUT  THE  THREE  WEEKS  NEXT PRECEDING SUCH DISTRICT MEETING, THE
FIRST PUBLICATION TO BE AT LEAST EIGHTEEN DAYS BEFORE SAID MEETING.
  S 6. Subdivision 1 of section 2004 of the education law, as amended by
chapter 68 of the laws of 1994, is amended to read as follows:
  1. The clerk of each union free school district shall give  notice  of
the  availability  of  the  statement  of  expenditures  pursuant to the
provisions of section seventeen hundred sixteen of this [chapter]  TITLE
and  shall  also give notice of the time and place of the annual meeting
and the notice required by section seventeen  hundred  sixteen  of  this
[chapter]  TITLE  by  publishing  a  notice  [four] TWO times within the
[seven] THREE weeks next preceding  such  district  meeting,  the  first
publication  to be at least [forty-five] EIGHTEEN days before said meet-
ing, in two newspapers if there shall be two, or  in  one  newspaper  if
there shall be but one, having general circulation within such district.
But  if  no  newspaper  shall then have general circulation therein, the
said notice shall be posted in at least twenty of the most public places
in said district forty-five days before the time of such meeting.    THE
CLERK OF EACH UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL POST PREDOMINATELY ON THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE THE NOTICE OF THE AVAILABILITY OF THE
STATEMENT  OF  EXPENDITURES PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION SEVEN-
TEEN HUNDRED SIXTEEN OF THIS TITLE AND SHALL ALSO POST PREDOMINATELY  ON
THE  SCHOOL DISTRICT'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE THE TIME AND PLACE OF THE ANNUAL
MEETING THROUGHOUT THE THREE WEEKS NEXT PRECEDING SUCH DISTRICT MEETING,
THE FIRST PUBLICATION TO BE AT LEAST EIGHTEEN DAYS BEFORE SAID MEETING.
  S 7. Paragraph b of subdivision 7 of section  1608  of  the  education
law,  as  amended  by  section  4 of part H of chapter 83 of the laws of
2002, is amended to read as follows:
  b. A copy of the property tax report  card  prepared  for  the  annual
district  meeting  shall  be  submitted  to the department in the manner
prescribed by the department by the end of the business day next follow-
ing approval of the report card by the trustee or board of trustees, but
no later than [twenty-four] EIGHTEEN days prior to the statewide uniform
voting day. The department  shall  compile  such  data  for  all  school
districts  whose  budgets  are subject to a vote of the qualified voters
and shall make such compilation available electronically  at  least  ten
days prior to the statewide uniform voting day.
  S 8. Section 2515 of the education law, as added by chapter 171 of the
laws of 1996, is amended to read as follows:
  S  2515.  Fiscal  year.  The fiscal year for  city school districts of
cities with less than one hundred twenty-five thousand inhabitants shall
be the period commencing with [July] AUGUST first and ending with  [June
thirtieth] JULY THIRTY-FIRST next following.
  S  9.  Subdivision 3 of section 2006 of the education law, as added by
section 4 of part M of chapter 57 of the laws of  2005,  is  amended  to
read as follows:
  3.  Whenever  the  voters shall have defeated the budget of the school
district at the annual meeting and election, the  trustees  may  call  a
special  district  meeting  for a school budget revote to be held on the
[third] FOURTH Tuesday of [June] JULY, provided, however that such budg-
et revote shall be held on the [second] THIRD Tuesday in [June] JULY  if
the  commissioner  at  the  request of a local school board certifies no

S. 2663                             6

later than March first that such  vote  would  conflict  with  religious
observances. The trustees shall give the notices required by subdivision
one  of  section  two  thousand  three  of this part and this section by
publishing  such  notices  once  in  each week within the two weeks next
preceding such special meeting, the first publication  to  be  at  least
fourteen days before such meeting, with any required posting to be four-
teen days before the time of such meeting.
  S  10.  Paragraph  b of subdivision 3 of section 2007 of the education
law, as amended by section 5 of part M of chapter  57  of  the  laws  of
2005, is amended to read as follows:
  b.  A  school  budget  revote  called  pursuant to paragraph a of this
subdivision shall be held on the [third] FOURTH Tuesday of [June]  JULY,
provided,  however that such budget revote shall be held on the [second]
THIRD Tuesday in [June] JULY if the commissioner at  the  request  of  a
local  school  board  certifies no later than March first that such vote
would conflict with religious observances.
  S 11. This act shall take effect January 1,  2017;  provided,  however
that  the  amendments  to  sections 2022 and 2601-a of the education law
made by sections three and four of this act shall not affect the expira-
tion of such sections and shall be deemed to expire therewith.

co-Sponsors

2015-S2663A (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A5695
Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: State Finance Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §§3 & 23, St Fin L; amd §§2022, 2601-a, 2003, 2004, 1608, 2515, 2006 & 2007, Ed L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2009-2010: S5221, A662
2011-2012: S418, A5918
2013-2014: S3418, A2748
2017-2018: S5012, A8556
2019-2020: S4346
2021-2022: S3111
2023-2024: S4452

2015-S2663A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2015-S2663A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S2663A

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the state finance law, in relation
to changing the state fiscal year from the first of April to the first
of June and requiring revisions of the consensus forecast of the
economy, estimates of receipts for the current and the ensuing state
fiscal year and the joint report of the director of the budget and the
secretary of the senate finance committee and the secretary of the
assembly ways and means committee, and directing the state comptroller
to provide estimates for receipts for the  current and ensuing state
fiscal year; and to amend the education law, in relation to the timing
and notice of annual elections in school districts and the submission
of a property tax report card and the calculation of the fiscal year
for certain school districts

 PURPOSE :

This legislation proposes to change the start of the state fiscal year
from April 1 to June 1 to ensure vital personal income tax data due
April 15 is fully assessed in the revenue forecasting and budget
negotiations processes. Executive and legislative fiscal leaders shall
be required to reconvene on or after April 15 and establish by May 1 a
consensus forecast of the economy and estimates of receipts.  The May
1 joint report shall revise the initial consensus forecast of the
economy and estimates of receipts due by March 1.

Further, to accommodate school district trustees who need to know how
much state aid they will receive in the ensuing fiscal year, the
uniform school budget voting day shall be moved from the third Tuesday
of May to the fourth Tuesday of June. To make accommodations for
budget revotes, the uniform revoting day shall be moved to the fourth
Tuesday of July from the third Tuesday of June. Also, school
districts' fiscal year start date shall be shifted to August 1 from
July 1. Reporting deadlines and requirements for school budget notice
advertisements and property tax report cards shall be advanced to
assist districts in adjusting to this new school budget voting cycle.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Amends § 3 of the state finance law to change the start of the state
fiscal year to June 1.

Amends subdivision 6 of § 23 of the state finance law to require the
senate finance committee, assembly ways and means committee and
division of budget to reconvene on or after April 15 to revise the
consensus forecast. of the economy and estimates of receipts for the
current and ensuing fiscal years. By May 1, the senate finance
committee, assembly ways and means committee and division of budget
shall issue a revised version of the joint executive-legislative
consensus report that was initially due March 1. In cases when a
revised joint executive-legislative consensus report is not issued by
May 1, the comptroller, on or before May 5, shall provide estimates
for receipts for the current and ensuing state fiscal years.

Amends subdivision 1 of § 2022 of the education law to change the
uniform school budget voting day to the fourth Tuesday of June.

Amends subdivision 2 of § 2601-a of the education law to eliminate in
2011 the second Tuesday of May as the alternative uniform school
budget voting day.

Amends subdivision 1 of § 2003 of the education law to require each
common school district advertise in local newspapers notices about
school budget votes two times in the three weeks preceding the annual
meeting and election, with the first advertisement appearing 18 days
prior to the vote. Each district shall also predominately post on its
official school web site this budget vote information throughout the
three weeks next preceding the annual meeting, with the first
publication appearing eighteen days before the meeting.

Amends subdivision 1 of § 2004 of the education law to require each
union free school district advertise notices in local newspapers about
school budget votes two times in the three weeks preceding the vote,
with the first advertisement appearing 18 days prior to the vote. Each
district shall also predominately post on its official school web site
this budget vote information throughout the three weeks next preceding
the annual meeting, with the first publication appearing eighteen days
before the meeting.

Amends paragraph b of subdivision 7 of § 1608 of the education law to
require school districts to submit their property tax report cards to
the department of education no later than the eighteen days prior to
the statewide uniform voting day.

Amends § 2515 of the education law to set a August 1 to July 31 fiscal
year cycle for schools.

Amends subdivision 3 of § 2006 of the education law to set for common
school districts the uniform school budget revoting day as the fourth
Tuesday of July and an alternative day as the third Tuesday of July.
Amends paragraph b of subdivision 3 of § 2007 of the education law to
set for union free school districts the uniform school budget revoting
day as the fourth Tuesday of July and an alternative day as the third
Tuesday of July.

 EXISTING LAW :

Section 3 of the state finance law provides for an April 1 to March 31
fiscal year cycle.

Subdivision 6 of § 23 of the state finance law requires the senate
finance committee, assembly ways and means committee and division of
budget to issue on or before March 1 a joint report containing a
consensus forecast of the economy and estimates of receipts for the
current and ensuing fiscal year.

Subdivision 1 of § 2022 of the education law sets the third Tuesday of
May each year as the uniform school budget voting day.

Subdivision 2 of § 2601-a sets the second Tuesday in May each Year as
an alternative uniform school budget voting day in lieu of a conflict
with religious observances on the third Tuesday of May.

Subdivision 1 of § 2003 of the education law requires each common
school district to advertise in local newspapers notices about school
budget votes four times in the seven weeks preceding the annual
meeting and election, with the first advertisement appearing
forty-five days prior to the vote.

Subdivision 1 of § 2004 of the education law requires each union free
school district to advertise in local newspapers notices about school
budget votes four times in the seven weeks preceding the annual
meeting and election, with the first advertisement appearing
forty-five days prior to the vote.

Paragraph b of subdivision 7 of § 1608 of the education law requires
school districts to submit their property tax report cards to the
department of education no later than the twenty-four days prior to
the statewide uniform voting day.

§ 2515 of the education law sets a July 1 to June 30 fiscal year cycle
for schools.
Subdivision 3 of § 2006 of the education law sets for common school
districts the uniform school budget revoting day as the third Tuesday
of June and an alternative day as the second Tuesday of June.

Paragraph b of subdivision 3 of § 2007 of the education law sets for
union free school districts the uniform school budget revoting day as
the third Tuesday of June and an alternative day as the second Tuesday
of June.

 JUSTIFICATION :

Much has changed since the Legislature last changed the start of New
York State's fiscal year. When lawmakers in 1943 shifted New York to
an April 1 fiscal year, the State suffered from budgets that were
passed too early; the State typically ended its fiscal year on June 30
with huge surpluses that irked taxpayers; and the Legislature often
passed the Executive Budget with little to no changes. And while the
rationale for changing the fiscal year. in 1943 had its merits, they
are not applicable to modern times.

A host of deficiencies in the budget process stem from the April 1
start date. These problems range from poor revenue forecasting to
difficulties in establishing a firm revenue consensus between
Executive and Legislative fiscal leaders. These problems often
contribute to others later in the process, such as a lack of
transparency in the form of a shortened conference committee process
or inadequate consideration of the budget before the vote on it. Also,
when actual revenues fall short of these estimates, the Legislature
often finds itself reconvening to fill multi-billion-dollar budget
holes.

A June 1 fiscal year is a superior option for New York. It would
afford legislators six weeks to make use of the most recent quarterly
personal income tax data, which is due on April 15. To ensure this
vital tax data that is incorporated into the budget negotiation
process, this bill would require Executive and Legislative fiscal
leaders to reconvene on or after April 15 and by May 1 issue a revised
version of the consensus forecast of the economy and estimates of
receipts they agreed upon two months earlier.

Further, to ensure school districts know how much state aid they will
receive in the ensuing fiscal year, the third-Tuesday-in-May uniform
school budget voting day would be pushed past the start of the fiscal
year on June 1. This bill proposes a fourth-Tuesday-of-June uniform
school budget voting day. This later uniform voting day would provide
district trustees with ample time to prepare budgets with accurate
state aid figures and eliminate much of the guesswork they are often
forced to perform under an April 1 budget cycle. To address conflicts
caused by budget revotes after school districts' fiscal year start
date on July 1, the fiscal year start date shall be moved to August 1
and the uniform revoting day shall be shifted to the fourth Tuesday of
July from the third Tuesday of June.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

Minimal.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect on January 1, 2018.

2015-S2663A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 2663--A

                       2015-2016 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                            January 27, 2015
                               ___________

Introduced  by Sens. KRUEGER, MONTGOMERY, PERKINS, SERRANO -- read twice
  and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee
  on Finance -- recommitted to the Committee on  Finance  in  accordance
  with  Senate  Rule  6,  sec.  8 -- committee discharged, bill amended,
  ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee

AN ACT to amend the state finance law, in relation to changing the state
  fiscal year from the first of April to the first of June and requiring
  revisions of the consensus  forecast  of  the  economy,  estimates  of
  receipts  for  the  current  and the ensuing state fiscal year and the
  joint report of the director of the budget and the  secretary  of  the
  senate  finance  committee  and the secretary of the assembly ways and
  means committee, and directing the state comptroller to provide  esti-
  mates for receipts for the  current and ensuing state fiscal year; and
  to  amend  the  education law, in relation to the timing and notice of
  annual elections in school districts and the submission of a  property
  tax  report  card  and  the calculation of the fiscal year for certain
  school districts

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  Section 3 of the state finance law, as added by chapter 1
of the laws of 1943 and as separately renumbered by chapters 405 and 957
of the laws of 1981, is amended to read as follows:
  S 3. Fiscal year. 1. The  current  fiscal  year  of  the  state  which
commenced  with  the  first  day  of  [July, nineteen hundred forty-two]
APRIL, TWO THOUSAND SEVENTEEN, is hereby [abridged] EXTENDED  and  shall
end  with  the thirty-first day of [March, nineteen hundred forty-three]
MAY, TWO THOUSAND EIGHTEEN.   For all  purposes  of  determining  annual
increments  of  state employees pursuant to the education law, the civil
service law or other state law, and for all  purposes  whenever  by  law
some act is to be performed or time is to be measured by the fiscal year
of  the state, the current fiscal year, as so [abridged] EXTENDED, shall

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD05633-02-6

S. 2663--A                          2

be deemed to be a full  year  unless  the  context  clearly  requires  a
contrary construction.
  On  and  after  the first day of [April, nineteen hundred forty-three]
JUNE, TWO THOUSAND EIGHTEEN, the fiscal  year  of  the  state,  for  the
purpose  of  budget, appropriations, receipts and disbursements of state
moneys and all other state affairs which  are  regulated  in  accordance
with or based on fiscal years, including the fiscal affairs of all state
departments,  commissions,  boards,  agencies, offices and institutions,
shall begin with the first day of [April] JUNE and  end  with  the  next
following thirty-first day of [March] MAY.
  2.  All  books  and accounts in the offices of the comptroller and the
department of taxation and finance shall be kept by  fiscal  years.  All
annual  accounts  required  to be rendered to the comptroller or to such
department by any person shall be closed  on  the  thirty-first  day  of
[March]  MAY in each year, and be rendered as soon thereafter as practi-
cable, if no time is specially prescribed by law.
  3. Where any statute provides, in terms or effect, that any  inventory
or  account,  or  a  report relating in whole or in part to receipts and
disbursements of money, be made to the legislature or any state  officer
annually,  or for a year, by a department, commission, board, or officer
under the state government, such inventory or account, and  such  report
so  far  as  it relates to such receipts and disbursements, shall be for
the preceding  fiscal  year,  unless  the  calendar  year  be  expressly
mentioned.
  4.  Existing  provisions  of  other  laws describing or referring to a
fiscal year of the state as beginning  [July]  APRIL  first  and  ending
[June  thirtieth]  MARCH  THIRTY-FIRST,  or  making any requirement with
respect to such fiscal year, or referring to any year so  beginning  and
ending  which applies to inventories or accounts in state matters, or to
reports relating to state money or property, shall be deemed modified by
and be construed in connection with this section, and be deemed to refer
to a fiscal or to another year or period beginning and ending as  [here-
in] prescribed IN THIS SECTION for a fiscal year.
  S  2. Subdivision 6 of section 23 of the state finance law, as amended
by chapter 1 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
  6. Consensus economic and revenue forecasting conference; report.  (a)
(1) By the end of February in each year, prior to the report required by
paragraph  (b) of this subdivision, the chairperson and ranking minority
member of the senate finance  committee,  the  chairperson  and  ranking
minority  member of the assembly ways and means committee and the direc-
tor of the budget shall jointly convene a consensus economic and revenue
forecasting conference in the  form  of  a  joint  legislative-executive
hearing,  for  the purpose of assisting the governor and the legislature
in reaching the consensus revenue forecast required by paragraph (b)  of
this subdivision. The conveners of the conference shall invite the state
comptroller  and  such other participants to the conference as shall, in
their judgment, provide guidance on the current conditions in, and prob-
able outlook for the performance of, the economy of the state,  as  well
as the effect of such conditions and such performance on state receipts.
  (2)  ON OR AFTER APRIL SIXTEENTH, THE CHAIRPERSON AND RANKING MINORITY
MEMBER OF THE SENATE FINANCE  COMMITTEE,  THE  CHAIRPERSON  AND  RANKING
MINORITY  MEMBER OF THE ASSEMBLY WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE AND THE DIREC-
TOR OF THE BUDGET SHALL JOINTLY RECONVENE TO REVISE THE CONSENSUS  FORE-
CAST  OF  THE  ECONOMY AND ESTIMATES OF RECEIPTS FOR THE CURRENT AND THE
ENSUING STATE FISCAL YEAR. THE REVISED CONSENSUS FORECAST OF THE ECONOMY

S. 2663--A                          3

AND ESTIMATES OF RECEIPTS SHALL INCORPORATE THE MOST CURRENT TAX REVENUE
AND ANY OTHER PERTINENT FISCAL INFORMATION.
  (b)  (1)  On  or  before March first in each year, the director of the
budget and the secretary of the senate finance committee and the  secre-
tary of the assembly ways and means committee shall issue a joint report
containing a consensus forecast of the economy and estimates of receipts
for  the  current  and  the ensuing state fiscal year. Such estimates of
receipts shall include, but not be limited to: expected tax receipts  on
an  all-funds basis, projected lottery receipts, and anticipated miscel-
laneous receipts to be received in the general  fund.  The  estimate  of
receipts  for  the ensuing fiscal year contained in the report, shall be
all receipts from such sources described in this  subdivision  available
to make disbursements authorized by the appropriation bills submitted by
the governor pursuant to section three of article seven of the constitu-
tion for the ensuing fiscal year.
  (2)  ON  OR  BEFORE MAY FIRST IN EACH YEAR, THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUDGET
AND THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE  SECRETARY  OF
THE  ASSEMBLY  WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE SHALL ISSUE A REVISED VERSION OF
THE JOINT REPORT THAT WAS INITIALLY DUE BY MARCH FIRST AND THAT CONTAINS
A CONSENSUS FORECAST OF THE ECONOMY AND ESTIMATES OF RECEIPTS.
  (c) (1) On a failure of the director of the budget, the  secretary  of
the  senate finance committee and the secretary of the assembly ways and
means committee to issue a joint report containing a consensus  forecast
as  provided in paragraph (b) of this subdivision, the state comptroller
shall, on or before March fifth, provide estimates of receipts  for  the
current and the ensuing state fiscal year. Such estimates shall include,
but  not  be  limited  to,  expected tax receipts on an all-funds basis,
projected lottery receipts, and miscellaneous receipts to be received in
the general fund. In rendering his or her estimate, as required in  this
paragraph,  the comptroller shall give due consideration to the inherent
risks in economic and revenue forecasting and the interest of the  state
to  maintain  budget balance throughout the fiscal year. The estimate of
receipts for the ensuing fiscal year provided by the state  comptroller,
shall  be all receipts from such sources available to make disbursements
authorized by the appropriation bills submitted by the governor pursuant
to section three of article seven of the constitution  for  the  ensuing
fiscal year.
  (2)  ON  A  FAILURE OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUDGET AND THE SECRETARY OF
THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE SECRETARY OF THE ASSEMBLY WAYS  AND
MEANS COMMITTEE TO ISSUE A JOINT REPORT REVISING THE MARCH FIRST CONSEN-
SUS  FORECAST  THE  STATE  COMPTROLLER  SHALL,  ON  OR BEFORE MAY FIFTH,
PROVIDE ESTIMATES FOR RECEIPTS FOR THE CURRENT AND ENSUING STATE  FISCAL
YEAR.  SUCH ESTIMATES SHALL INCORPORATE THE MOST CURRENT TAX REVENUE AND
ANY OTHER PERTINENT FISCAL INFORMATION.
  S 3. Subdivision 1 of section 2022 of the education law, as amended by
section 7 of part A of chapter 97 of the laws of  2011,  is  amended  to
read as follows:
  1.  Notwithstanding any law, rule or regulation to the contrary, PRIOR
TO TWO THOUSAND EIGHTEEN the election of  trustees  or  members  of  the
board of education, and the vote upon the appropriation of the necessary
funds to meet the estimated expenditures, in any common school district,
union  free  school  district,  central  school district or central high
school district shall be held at the annual meeting and election on  the
third  Tuesday  in  May,  provided, however, that such election shall be
held on the second Tuesday in May if the commissioner at the request  of
a  local  school  board  certifies  no  later than March first that such

S. 2663--A                          4

election would conflict with religious observances.   COMMENCING IN  TWO
THOUSAND  EIGHTEEN,  THE ELECTION OF TRUSTEES OR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF
EDUCATION, AND THE VOTE UPON THE APPROPRIATION OF THE NECESSARY FUNDS TO
MEET  THE  ESTIMATED  EXPENDITURES, IN ANY COMMON SCHOOL DISTRICT, UNION
FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT  OR  CENTRAL  HIGH  SCHOOL
DISTRICT  SHALL BE HELD AT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTION ON THE FOURTH
TUESDAY IN JUNE. The sole trustee, board of trustees or board of  educa-
tion  of  every  common,  union  free,  central  or  central high school
district and every city school district to which  this  article  applies
shall  hold  a budget hearing not less than seven nor more than fourteen
days prior to the annual meeting and election or special district  meet-
ing  at  which  a  school  budget vote will occur, and shall prepare and
present to the voters at such budget hearing a proposed school  district
budget for the ensuing school year.
  S  4. Subdivision 2 of section 2601-a of the education law, as amended
by section 9 of part A of chapter 97 of the laws of 2011, is amended  to
read as follows:
  2.  The board of education shall conduct all annual and special school
district meetings for the purpose of adopting a school  district  budget
in  the  same  manner as a union free school district in accordance with
the provisions of article forty-one of this title, except  as  otherwise
provided  by  this  section.  [The]  PRIOR TO TWO THOUSAND EIGHTEEN, THE
annual meeting and election of each such city school district  shall  be
held  on  the  third Tuesday of May in each year, provided, however that
such annual meeting and election shall be held on the second Tuesday  in
May if the commissioner at the request of a local school board certifies
no  later  than March first that such election would conflict with reli-
gious observances, and any school budget revote shall  be  held  on  the
date  and  in  the same manner specified in subdivision three of section
two thousand seven of this title.  PRIOR TO TWO THOUSAND  EIGHTEEN,  THE
ANNUAL  MEETING  AND ELECTION OF EACH SUCH CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL BE
HELD ON THE THIRD TUESDAY OF MAY IN EACH YEAR,  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER  THAT
SUCH  ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTION SHALL BE HELD ON THE SECOND TUESDAY IN
MAY IF THE COMMISSIONER AT THE REQUEST OF A LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD CERTIFIES
NO LATER THAN MARCH FIRST THAT SUCH ELECTION WOULD CONFLICT  WITH  RELI-
GIOUS  OBSERVANCES,  AND  ANY  SCHOOL BUDGET REVOTE SHALL BE HELD ON THE
DATE AND IN THE SAME MANNER SPECIFIED IN SUBDIVISION  THREE  OF  SECTION
TWO  THOUSAND  SEVEN  OF THIS TITLE. The provisions of this article, and
where applicable subdivisions nine and  nine-a  of  section  twenty-five
hundred  two of this title, governing the qualification and registration
of voters, and procedures for the nomination and election of members  of
the  board  of  education  shall continue to apply, and shall govern the
qualification and registration of  voters  and  voting  procedures  with
respect to the adoption of a school district budget.
  S 5. Subdivision 1 of section 2003 of the education law, as amended by
chapter 64 of the laws of 1993, is amended to read as follows:
  1. The district clerk of each common school district shall give notice
of  the  availability  of  the statement of expenditures pursuant to the
provisions of section sixteen hundred eight of this [chapter] TITLE  and
shall  also  give  notice of the time and place of the annual meeting by
publishing a notice [four] TWO times within the [seven] THREE weeks next
preceding such annual meeting, the first  publication  to  be  at  least
[forty-five]  EIGHTEEN  days  before  said meeting, in two newspapers if
there shall be two, or in one newspaper  if  there  shall  be  but  one,
having  general  circulation  within  such district. But if no newspaper
shall then have general circulation therein, the said  notice  shall  be

S. 2663--A                          5

posted  in  at  least  twenty of the most public places in said district
forty-five days before the time of such meeting.    THE  CLERK  OF  EACH
COMMON SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL POST PREDOMINATELY ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S
OFFICIAL  WEBSITE  THE  NOTICE  OF  THE AVAILABILITY OF THE STATEMENT OF
EXPENDITURES PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION SIXTEEN HUNDRED EIGHT
OF  THIS  TITLE,  AND  SHALL  ALSO  POST  PREDOMINATELY  ON  THE  SCHOOL
DISTRICT'S  OFFICIAL  WEBSITE  THE  TIME AND PLACE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING
THROUGHOUT THE THREE WEEKS NEXT PRECEDING  SUCH  DISTRICT  MEETING,  THE
FIRST PUBLICATION TO BE AT LEAST EIGHTEEN DAYS BEFORE SAID MEETING.
  S 6. Subdivision 1 of section 2004 of the education law, as amended by
chapter 68 of the laws of 1994, is amended to read as follows:
  1.  The  clerk of each union free school district shall give notice of
the availability of  the  statement  of  expenditures  pursuant  to  the
provisions  of section seventeen hundred sixteen of this [chapter] TITLE
and shall also give notice of the time and place of the  annual  meeting
and  the  notice  required  by section seventeen hundred sixteen of this
[chapter] TITLE by publishing a  notice  [four]  TWO  times  within  the
[seven]  THREE  weeks  next  preceding  such district meeting, the first
publication to be at least [forty-five] EIGHTEEN days before said  meet-
ing,  in  two  newspapers  if there shall be two, or in one newspaper if
there shall be but one, having general circulation within such district.
But if no newspaper shall then have  general  circulation  therein,  the
said notice shall be posted in at least twenty of the most public places
in  said  district forty-five days before the time of such meeting.  THE
CLERK OF EACH UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL POST PREDOMINATELY ON THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE THE NOTICE OF THE AVAILABILITY OF THE
STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF  SECTION  SEVEN-
TEEN  HUNDRED SIXTEEN OF THIS TITLE AND SHALL ALSO POST PREDOMINATELY ON
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE THE TIME AND PLACE OF THE  ANNUAL
MEETING THROUGHOUT THE THREE WEEKS NEXT PRECEDING SUCH DISTRICT MEETING,
THE FIRST PUBLICATION TO BE AT LEAST EIGHTEEN DAYS BEFORE SAID MEETING.
  S  7.  Paragraph  b  of subdivision 7 of section 1608 of the education
law, as amended by section 4 of part H of chapter  83  of  the  laws  of
2002, is amended to read as follows:
  b.  A  copy  of  the  property tax report card prepared for the annual
district meeting shall be submitted to  the  department  in  the  manner
prescribed by the department by the end of the business day next follow-
ing approval of the report card by the trustee or board of trustees, but
no later than [twenty-four] EIGHTEEN days prior to the statewide uniform
voting  day.  The  department  shall  compile  such  data for all school
districts whose budgets are subject to a vote of  the  qualified  voters
and  shall  make  such compilation available electronically at least ten
days prior to the statewide uniform voting day.
  S 8. Section 2515 of the education law, as added by chapter 171 of the
laws of 1996, is amended to read as follows:
  S 2515. Fiscal year. The fiscal year for   city  school  districts  of
cities with less than one hundred twenty-five thousand inhabitants shall
be  the period commencing with [July] AUGUST first and ending with [June
thirtieth] JULY THIRTY-FIRST next following.
  S 9. Subdivision 3 of section 2006 of the education law, as  added  by
section  4  of  part  M of chapter 57 of the laws of 2005, is amended to
read as follows:
  3. Whenever the voters shall have defeated the budget  of  the  school
district  at  the  annual  meeting and election, the trustees may call a
special district meeting for a school budget revote to be  held  on  the
[third] FOURTH Tuesday of [June] JULY, provided, however that such budg-

S. 2663--A                          6

et  revote shall be held on the [second] THIRD Tuesday in [June] JULY if
the commissioner at the request of a local  school  board  certifies  no
later  than  March  first  that  such vote would conflict with religious
observances. The trustees shall give the notices required by subdivision
one  of  section  two  thousand  three  of this part and this section by
publishing such notices once in each week  within  the  two  weeks  next
preceding  such  special  meeting,  the first publication to be at least
fourteen days before such meeting, with any required posting to be four-
teen days before the time of such meeting.
  S 10. Paragraph b of subdivision 3 of section 2007  of  the  education
law,  as  amended  by  section  5 of part M of chapter 57 of the laws of
2005, is amended to read as follows:
  b. A school budget revote called  pursuant  to  paragraph  a  of  this
subdivision  shall be held on the [third] FOURTH Tuesday of [June] JULY,
provided, however that such budget revote shall be held on the  [second]
THIRD  Tuesday  in  [June]  JULY if the commissioner at the request of a
local school board certifies no later than March first  that  such  vote
would conflict with religious observances.
  S  11.  This  act shall take effect January 1, 2018; provided, however
that the amendments to sections 2022 and 2601-a  of  the  education  law
made by sections three and four of this act shall not affect the expira-
tion of such sections and shall be deemed to expire therewith.

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Senate Bill S2663A

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Sponsored By

Liz Krueger

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

Velmanette Montgomery

Bill Perkins

Jose M. Serrano

2015-S2663 - Details

2015-S2663 - Summary

2015-S2663 - Sponsor Memo

2015-S2663 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

Velmanette Montgomery

Bill Perkins

Jose M. Serrano

2015-S2663A (ACTIVE) - Details

2015-S2663A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2015-S2663A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2015-S2663A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments