S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   11109
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                               June 5, 2018
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by COMMITTEE ON RULES -- (at request of M. of A. Epstein) --
   read once and referred to the Committee on Housing
 
 AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to creating the office of
   the cooperative and condominium ombudsman; to amend the  tax  law,  in
   relation  to  authorizing  the  residential unit fee; and to amend the
   state finance law, in relation to establishing the office of the coop-
   erative and condominium ombudsman fund
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  The executive law is amended by adding a new article 49-C
 to read as follows:
                               ARTICLE 49-C
            OFFICE OF THE COOPERATIVE AND CONDOMINIUM OMBUDSMAN
 SECTION 996.   SHORT TITLE.
         996-A.  LEGISLATIVE DECLARATION.
         996-B. DEFINITIONS.
         996-C. OFFICE OF THE COOPERATIVE AND CONDOMINIUM OMBUDSMAN.
         996-D. FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICE.
         996-E. PRINCIPAL OFFICE AND SATELLITE OFFICES.
         996-F. ASSISTANCE OF OTHER STATE AGENCIES.
         996-G. REPORTS TO THE GOVERNOR, ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE  LEGIS-
                  LATURE.
         996-H. CONTRACT AUTHORITY.
         996-I. SEPARABILITY.
   §  996.  SHORT  TITLE. THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE KNOWN AND MAY BE CITED AS
 THE "COOPERATIVE AND CONDOMINIUM OMBUDSMAN ACT".
   § 996-A. LEGISLATIVE DECLARATION. THE LEGISLATURE FINDS AND DETERMINES
 AS FOLLOWS:
   COOPERATIVE AND CONDOMINIUM HOUSING CONSTITUTES A SIGNIFICANT  PORTION
 OF  NEW  YORK  STATE'S RESIDENTIAL HOUSING STOCK. IT IS AND HAS BEEN THE
 PUBLIC POLICY OF THIS STATE TO ENCOURAGE SUCH FORMS OF HOME OWNERSHIP. A
 WIDE VARIETY OF LAWS HAVE  BEEN  ENACTED  TO  PROVIDE  FAIRNESS  IN  THE
 CONVERSION OF RENTAL PROPERTIES TO COOPERATIVE AND CONDOMINIUM OWNERSHIP
 AND  IN  THE  REGULATION  AND TAXATION OF COOPERATIVES AND CONDOMINIUMS.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
              

                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD05797-02-7

 A. 11109                            2
 
 STATE AND LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE ALSO DESIGNED  TO  INSURE  THAT
 THE  RESIDENTS  OF  SUCH  HOUSING  ARE  PROVIDED WITH SAFE AND HABITABLE
 ACCOMMODATIONS.
   INEVITABLY,  DISPUTES  HAVE  ARISEN  AMONG COOPERATIVE AND CONDOMINIUM
 SPONSORS AND DEVELOPERS, COOPERATIVE SHAREHOLDERS AND  CONDOMINIUM  UNIT
 OWNERS,  PROSPECTIVE  SHAREHOLDERS  AND UNIT OWNERS, BOARDS OF DIRECTORS
 AND BOARDS OF MANAGERS. SUCH DISPUTES OFTEN RESULT IN LENGTHY AND COSTLY
 LITIGATION AND UNCERTAINTY AS TO THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES  PENDING  THE
 OUTCOME  OF  LITIGATION. SUCH LITIGATION DIVERTS RESOURCES THAT COULD BE
 BETTER UTILIZED TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE AND WELL-MAINTAINED BUILDINGS  AND
 GROUNDS FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF THE OWNERS.
   THIS ARTICLE IS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE A NEUTRAL, INFORMATIVE AND ACCES-
 SIBLE  RESOURCE AVAILABLE TO ALL PARTIES INVOLVED IN RESIDENTIAL COOPER-
 ATIVE AND CONDOMINIUM OWNERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE. THE OMBUDSMAN  APPOINTED
 PURSUANT  TO THIS ARTICLE WILL CONDUCT OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO EDUCATE UNIT
 OWNERS AND BOARD MEMBERS AS TO THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS AND  RESPONSIBILITIES.
 THE   OMBUDSMAN  WILL  ENCOURAGE  ALTERNATIVE  DISPUTE  RESOLUTION  WHEN
 DISPUTES DO ARISE. THE OMBUDSMAN WILL BE AVAILABLE  TO  PROVIDE  DISPUTE
 RESOLUTION  SERVICES  ON CONSENT OF THE PARTIES. THE OMBUDSMAN WILL ALSO
 PROVIDE  MONITORING  AND  SUPERVISION  OF  COOPERATIVE  AND  CONDOMINIUM
 ELECTIONS.
   §  996-B.  DEFINITIONS. 1. "COOPERATIVE" MEANS A CORPORATION ORGANIZED
 AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW  OR  THE  COOPERATIVE
 CORPORATIONS  LAW FOR THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF PROVIDING RESIDENTIAL HOUS-
 ING TO ITS SHAREHOLDERS.
   2. "CONDOMINIUM" MEANS A HOMEOWNERS  ASSOCIATION  OR  ANY  ASSOCIATION
 ORGANIZED  AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO ARTICLE NINE-B OF THE REAL PROPERTY
 LAW FOR THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF PROVIDING RESIDENTIAL HOUSING TO ITS UNIT
 OWNERS.
   3. "OFFICE" MEANS  THE  OFFICE  OF  THE  COOPERATIVE  AND  CONDOMINIUM
 OMBUDSMAN CREATED BY THIS ARTICLE.
   4. "OMBUDSMAN" MEANS THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OF THE OFFICE OF
 THE COOPERATIVE AND CONDOMINIUM OMBUDSMAN.
   5.  "STATE  AGENCY"  MEANS  ANY DEPARTMENT, BOARD, BUREAU, COMMISSION,
 DIVISION, OFFICE, COUNCIL OR AGENCY OF THE STATE, OR  A  PUBLIC  BENEFIT
 CORPORATION OR AUTHORITY AUTHORIZED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE.
   6.  "LOCAL  AGENCY"  MEANS  ANY DEPARTMENT, BOARD, BUREAU, COMMISSION,
 DIVISION, OFFICE, COUNCIL, OFFICER OR AGENCY OF A CITY, TOWN OR VILLAGE.
   § 996-C. OFFICE OF THE COOPERATIVE AND CONDOMINIUM OMBUDSMAN.  1.  THE
 OFFICE  OF  THE  COOPERATIVE AND CONDOMINIUM OMBUDSMAN IS HEREBY CREATED
 WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW TO HAVE AND EXERCISE THE FUNCTIONS,  POWERS
 AND  DUTIES  PROVIDED  BY  THE  PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE AND ANY OTHER
 PROVISION OF LAW. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL BE  RESPONSIBLE  FOR  OVER-
 SIGHT OF THE OFFICE.
   2.  THE  HEAD  OF  THE OFFICE SHALL BE THE COOPERATIVE AND CONDOMINIUM
 OMBUDSMAN WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. THE  OMBUDSMAN
 SHALL  HOLD  OFFICE UNTIL THE END OF THE TERM OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL BY
 WHOM HE OR SHE WAS APPOINTED AND UNTIL HIS OR HER SUCCESSOR IS APPOINTED
 AND HAS QUALIFIED. THE OMBUDSMAN MAY BE REMOVED BY THE ATTORNEY  GENERAL
 FOR CAUSE, AFTER BEING GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD. A VACANCY SHALL
 BE FILLED IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT.
   3.  THE  OMBUDSMAN  SHALL  RECEIVE AN ANNUAL SALARY TO BE FIXED BY THE
 ATTORNEY GENERAL WITHIN THE AMOUNT MADE AVAILABLE THEREFOR BY AN  APPRO-
 PRIATION  AND  SHALL BE ALLOWED HIS OR HER ACTUAL AND NECESSARY EXPENSES
 IN THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS OR HER DUTIES. THE OMBUDSMAN'S SALARY SHALL BE
 NO LESS THAN THE SALARIES OF CERTAIN STATE OFFICERS  HOLDING  THE  POSI-

 A. 11109                            3
 
 TIONS  INDICATED  IN  PARAGRAPH  (A)  OF  SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION ONE
 HUNDRED SIXTY-NINE OF THIS CHAPTER.
   4.  THE  OMBUDSMAN  SHALL  BE AN ATTORNEY WITH EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN
 REAL ESTATE, COOPERATIVE AND CONDOMINIUM LAW AND IN CONFLICT AND  ALTER-
 NATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION.
   5.  THE OMBUDSMAN SHALL DIRECT THE WORK OF THE OFFICE AND SHALL BE THE
 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE OFFICE. THE OMBUDSMAN  MAY  APPOINT  SUCH
 OFFICERS  AND EMPLOYEES AS HE OR SHE MAY DEEM NECESSARY, PRESCRIBE THEIR
 POWERS AND DUTIES, FIX THEIR COMPENSATION AND PROVIDE FOR THE REIMBURSE-
 MENT OF THEIR EXPENSES, ALL WITHIN AMOUNTS MADE  AVAILABLE  THEREFOR  BY
 APPROPRIATION.  SUCH  OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES SHALL INCLUDE ATTORNEYS AND
 OTHER PROFESSIONALS WITH EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN  REAL  ESTATE,  COOPER-
 ATIVE AND CONDOMINIUM LAW AND IN CONFLICT AND ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOL-
 UTION.
   6. THE OMBUDSMAN AND OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE OFFICE SHALL ADHERE
 TO  A  CODE OF ETHICS IN ORDER TO INSPIRE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE AND TRUST IN
 THE FAIRNESS  AND  IMPARTIALITY  OF  THE  OFFICE.  THE  OMBUDSMAN  SHALL
 PRESCRIBE  SUCH CODE OF ETHICS. SUCH CODE SHALL REQUIRE THAT THE OMBUDS-
 MAN AND OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE OFFICE RESPECT AND COMPLY WITH THE
 LAW; THAT THEY NOT USE OR ATTEMPT TO USE THEIR POSITIONS TO SECURE PRIV-
 ILEGES OR EXEMPTIONS FOR THEMSELVES OR OTHERS; THAT  THEY  NOT  SOLICIT,
 ACCEPT OR AGREE TO ACCEPT ANY GIFTS OR GRATUITIES FROM PERSONS HAVING OR
 LIKELY  TO  HAVE ANY OFFICIAL TRANSACTION WITH THE OFFICE; THAT THEY NOT
 REQUEST OR ACCEPT ANY PAYMENT IN ADDITION TO THEIR REGULAR  COMPENSATION
 FOR  ASSISTANCE  GIVEN  AS  PART OF THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES; AND THAT THEY
 SHALL NOT PERFORM ANY FUNCTION IN A MANNER THAT  IMPROPERLY  FAVORS  ANY
 PERSON OR PARTY.
   7.  THE  OMBUDSMAN  AND OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE OFFICE SHALL NOT
 SERVE AS OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES OF A POLITICAL PARTY OR A CLUB OR  ORGAN-
 IZATION  RELATED  TO  A POLITICAL PARTY, RECEIVE REMUNERATION FOR ACTIV-
 ITIES ON BEHALF OF ANY CANDIDATE FOR PUBLIC OFFICE OR PARTY POSITION  OR
 ENGAGE  IN SOLICITING VOTES OR OTHER ACTIVITIES ON BEHALF OF A CANDIDATE
 FOR PUBLIC OFFICE OR PARTY POSITION.
   8. THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR SHALL ASSURE THAT ALL STATE  AGENCIES
 PROVIDE  THE  OMBUDSMAN WITH ASSISTANCE IN ADVANCING THE PURPOSES OF THE
 OFFICE AND TO ASSURE THAT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE OFFICE ARE FULLY COORDI-
 NATED WITH THE ACTIVITIES OF STATE AGENCIES PROVIDING RELATED SERVICES.
   § 996-D. FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICE. THE OFFICE  SHALL
 HAVE THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES:
   1.  TO EDUCATE AND INFORM SHAREHOLDERS OF COOPERATIVES AND UNIT OWNERS
 OF CONDOMINIUMS, THEIR BOARDS OF DIRECTORS AND BOARDS OF MANAGERS, PROP-
 ERTY MANAGERS, PROFESSIONALS WORKING WITH AND FOR SUCH BOARDS AND  OTHER
 INTERESTED  PARTIES OF THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE
 FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO  COOPERATIVE
 AND  CONDOMINIUM  HOUSING IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND UNDER THE COOPER-
 ATIVE AND CONDOMINIUM DOCUMENTS GOVERNING THE RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES.
   2. TO COORDINATE AND ASSIST IN  THE  PREPARATION  AND  PUBLICATION  OF
 EDUCATIONAL  AND  REFERENCE MATERIALS ABOUT RESIDENTIAL COOPERATIVES AND
 CONDOMINIUMS, TO MAKE SUCH RESOURCES KNOWN AND AVAILABLE TO  THE  WIDEST
 POSSIBLE AUDIENCE.
   3.  TO  ORGANIZE  AND CONDUCT MEETINGS, WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES, PUBLIC
 HEARINGS AND FORUMS AND TO UTILIZE ALL FORMS OF COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA  TO
 DISSEMINATE  ACCURATE  AND  TIMELY  INFORMATION  OF  INTEREST TO PERSONS
 RESIDING IN, OWNING AND MANAGING COOPERATIVE AND CONDOMINIUM HOUSING.
   4. TO PROVIDE MEETINGS, MEDIATION,  ARBITRATION  AND  OTHER  FORMS  OF
 ALTERNATIVE  DISPUTE  RESOLUTION SERVICES TO COOPERATIVE AND CONDOMINIUM

 A. 11109                            4
 
 SPONSORS AND DEVELOPERS, COOPERATIVE SHAREHOLDERS,  CONDOMINIUM  OWNERS,
 THEIR  BOARDS  OF  DIRECTORS  AND MANAGERS, PROSPECTIVE SHAREHOLDERS AND
 UNIT OWNERS AND OTHER PARTIES SO AS TO AVOID COSTLY  AND  LENGTHY  LITI-
 GATION AND REDUCE EXPENSES FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN DISPUTES.
   5.  TO  SUBPOENA  AND  ENFORCE THE ATTENDANCE OF WITNESSES, ADMINISTER
 OATHS OR AFFIRMATIONS AND EXAMINE WITNESSES UNDER OATH AND  REQUIRE  THE
 PRODUCTION  OF  ANY  BOOKS AND PAPERS DEEMED RELEVANT OR MATERIAL TO THE
 RESOLUTION OF ANY DISPUTE PENDING BEFORE THE OFFICE.
   6. TO ENGAGE WITH THE HOUSING COURTS, OTHER TRIAL  COURTS,  STATE  AND
 LOCAL  AGENCIES  AND  WITH ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROGRAMS MAIN-
 TAINED BY THE  OFFICE  OF  COURT  ADMINISTRATION  IN  ORDER  TO  PROVIDE
 SPECIALIZED  EXPERTISE  IN THE RESOLUTION OF COOPERATIVE AND CONDOMINIUM
 DISPUTES AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO LITIGATION.
   7. TO OFFER PROCEDURES, MONITORS AND VOTE COUNTING SERVICES TO  ASSURE
 FAIR ELECTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF COOPERATIVE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS AND CONDO-
 MINIUM  BOARDS  OF MANAGERS.  FIFTEEN PERCENT OF THE TOTAL VOTING INTER-
 ESTS IN A COOPERATIVE OR CONDOMINIUM OR SHAREHOLDERS OR  OWNERS  OF  SIX
 RESIDENTIAL  UNITS,  WHICHEVER  IS  GREATER,  MAY PETITION THE OFFICE TO
 ATTEND AND CONDUCT AN ELECTION OF DIRECTORS OR MANAGERS. ALL COSTS ASSO-
 CIATED WITH THE ELECTION MONITORING PROCESS SHALL BE PAID BY THE COOPER-
 ATIVE OR CONDOMINIUM.
   8. TO REFER ANY COMPLAINT RECEIVED TO THE APPROPRIATE LAW  ENFORCEMENT
 AGENCY FOR PROSECUTION, IF DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE OFFICE.
   9. TO PERFORM ANY OTHER FUNCTIONS THAT ARE NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE TO
 FULFILL THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICE.
   §  996-E.  PRINCIPAL  OFFICE  AND  SATELLITE OFFICES. THE OFFICE SHALL
 MAINTAIN ITS PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN THE CITY OF NEW  YORK  AND  SHALL  HAVE
 SATELLITE  OFFICES IN OTHER LOCATIONS WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK WHERE
 THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT CONCENTRATIONS OF COOPERATIVE OR CONDOMINIUM HOUS-
 ING.
   § 996-F.  ASSISTANCE  OF  OTHER  STATE  AGENCIES.  TO  EFFECTUATE  THE
 PURPOSES  OF  THIS ARTICLE, THE OMBUDSMAN MAY REQUEST AND SHALL BE ENTI-
 TLED TO RECEIVE FROM ANY STATE AGENCY, AND THE SAME  ARE  AUTHORIZED  TO
 PROVIDE,  SUCH ASSISTANCE, SERVICES, FACILITIES, AND DATA AS WILL ENABLE
 THE OFFICE TO CARRY OUT ITS  FUNCTIONS,  POWERS  AND  DUTIES,  AND  SUCH
 TEMPORARILY  OR  PERMANENTLY  ASSIGNED  PERSONNEL AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE
 BUDGET MAY APPROVE.
   § 996-G. REPORTS TO THE GOVERNOR, ATTORNEY GENERAL  AND  THE  LEGISLA-
 TURE.  THE  OFFICE  SHALL  MAKE  AN  ANNUAL REPORT, TO BE RECEIVED ON OR
 BEFORE JANUARY FIRST, TO THE GOVERNOR, ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE LEGISLA-
 TURE CONCERNING THE ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY THE OFFICE, RECOMMENDATIONS
 FOR LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS, DATA CONCERNING PROGRAM ACTIVITIES AND  OTHER
 PERTINENT INFORMATION AS MAY BE REQUIRED.
   §  996-H.  CONTRACT AUTHORITY. THE OFFICE IS HEREBY EMPOWERED TO ENTER
 INTO ANY AGREEMENT OR CONTRACT WITH ANY STATE OR LOCAL AGENCY  NECESSARY
 OR CONVENIENT TO CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE.
   §  996-I. SEPARABILITY. IF ANY CLAUSE, SENTENCE, PARAGRAPH, SECTION OR
 PART OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE ADJUDGED BY ANY COURT OF COMPETENT  JURIS-
 DICTION TO BE INVALID, SUCH JUDGMENT SHALL NOT AFFECT, IMPAIR OR INVALI-
 DATE  THE  REMAINDER  THEREOF, BUT SHALL BE CONFINED IN ITS OPERATION TO
 THE CLAUSE,  SENTENCE,  PARAGRAPH,  SECTION  OR  PART  THEREOF  DIRECTLY
 INVOLVED  IN  THE  CONTROVERSY  IN  WHICH  SUCH JUDGMENT SHALL HAVE BEEN
 RENDERED.
   § 2. The tax law is amended by adding a new section 186-h to  read  as
 follows:

 A. 11109                            5
 
   §  186-H. RESIDENTIAL UNIT FEE. A COOPERATIVE HOUSING CORPORATION OR A
 HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN SECTION TWO HUNDRED
 TEN OF THIS CHAPTER, SHALL PAY AN ANNUAL FEE OF SIX DOLLARS PER YEAR FOR
 EACH RESIDENTIAL UNIT LOCATED IN A BUILDING OR BUILDINGS OWNED OR  OPER-
 ATED  BY  SUCH  CORPORATION OR ASSOCIATION. SUCH FEE SHALL BE PAYABLE TO
 THE DEPARTMENT. ALL REVENUE  FROM  THE  FEE  IMPOSED  PURSUANT  TO  THIS
 SECTION  SHALL  BE PAID BY THE DEPARTMENT TO THE STATE COMPTROLLER TO BE
 DEPOSITED TO AND CREDITED TO THE OFFICE OF THE COOPERATIVE AND CONDOMIN-
 IUM OMBUDSMAN FUND, ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION EIGHTY-ONE-A OF  THE
 STATE FINANCE LAW.
   §  3. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 81-a to
 read as follows:
   § 81-A. OFFICE OF THE COOPERATIVE AND CONDOMINIUM OMBUDSMAN  FUND.  1.
 THERE  IS  HEREBY  ESTABLISHED IN THE CUSTODY OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER A
 SPECIAL FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE "OFFICE OF THE COOPERATIVE AND CONDOMIN-
 IUM OMBUDSMAN FUND".
   2. THE OFFICE OF THE COOPERATIVE AND CONDOMINIUM OMBUDSMAN FUND  SHALL
 CONSIST OF MONIES APPROPRIATED THERETO, FUNDS TRANSFERRED FROM ANY OTHER
 FUND  OR  SOURCES,  AND MONIES DEPOSITED THEREIN PURSUANT TO SECTION ONE
 HUNDRED EIGHTY-SIX-H OF THE TAX LAW.
   3. THE MONIES IN THE OFFICE OF THE COOPERATIVE AND CONDOMINIUM OMBUDS-
 MAN FUND SHALL BE KEPT SEPARATE FROM AND SHALL NOT  BE  COMMINGLED  WITH
 ANY  OTHER  MONIES  IN THE CUSTODY OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER. SUCH MONIES
 SHALL BE ALLOCATED TO AND EXPENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW  SOLELY  FOR
 THE  STAFFING  AND  ADMINISTRATION  OF THE OFFICE OF THE COOPERATIVE AND
 CONDOMINIUM OMBUDSMAN OF SUCH DEPARTMENT.
   § 4. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
 it shall have become a law.