Senate Resolution No. 540

BY: Senator STEWART-COUSINS

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY
proposing to implement, pursuant to and in
compliance with the provisions of article 7 of the
Public Officers Law, a system of videoconferencing
to conduct meetings

WHEREAS, Section 103-a of the Public Officers Law, as created by
Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2022, currently permits the Senate and
Assembly, acting through a joint resolution, to provide for the use of
videoconferencing to conduct meetings, as defined by section 102 of the
Public Officers Law, provided that a minimum number of members are
present to fulfill the public body's quorum requirement in the same
physical location or locations where the public can attend; and

WHEREAS, The Senate and Assembly conducted the requisite public
hearing under article 7 of the Public Officers Law in Albany, New York,
on March 1, 2023, to receive public comment on the use of
videoconferencing in legislative proceedings; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED (if the &HOUSE concur), That the Senate and Assembly are
authorized and empowered to implement, pursuant to and in compliance
with the provisions of article 7 of the Public Officers Law, a system of
videoconferencing to conduct meetings, provided that the requisite
quorum for such body shall be in the same physical location or locations
where the public may attend and observe; and, be it further

RESOLVED (if the &HOUSE concur), That legislators shall be permitted,
on a case by case basis, if unable to be physically present at any such
meeting due to extraordinary circumstances or any other significant or
unexpected factor or event which precludes the member's physical
attendance at such meeting, and with the approval of the appropriate
leader pursuant to the procedures established by each house, to
participate in meetings through the use of videoconferencing; and, be it
further

RESOLVED (if the &HOUSE concur), That if no quorum is physically
present at any hearing conducted by either house, or any hearing
conducted jointly by the houses, videoconferencing may not be used; and,
be it further

RESOLVED (if the &HOUSE concur), That this joint resolution shall take
effect immediately upon adoption by both the Senate and Assembly and
shall remain in effect until July 1, 2024, unless otherwise rescinded.