S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   6898
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              March 26, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  COONEY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
 
 AN ACT to amend the executive  law,  in  relation  to  establishing  the
   office  of  census  counts and providing for its powers and duties and
   establishing the New York state census counts commission and providing
   for its powers and duties; to amend the  penal  law,  in  relation  to
   establishing  the offense of impersonation of a census enumerator; and
   making an appropriation therefor
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  This act shall be known and may be cited as the "New York
 Counts Act".
   § 2. Legislative intent. (a) It is the intent of  the  legislature  to
 ensure  that all New Yorkers have information access and knowledge about
 accurate, timely information about the United States  government  census
 and  that  all  New  Yorkers  have the opportunity to participate in the
 census freely and without fear of fraud, intimidation, or harm.
   (b) New York State's future  depends  on  accurate  census  data.  The
 census  provides critical and timely information and data to help inform
 businesses, educators, governments, faith-based  communities,  nonprofit
 organizations,  foundations,  researchers,  and  the  public  about  the
 state's demographic features, where people  live,  and  how  they  live.
 Accurate,  ongoing,  and  consistent census data helps provide for sound
 and  objective  policy  decisions,  allocates  resources,  helps  target
 investments,  and  evaluates  programs for a healthier economy, communi-
 ties, and better living. From congressional representation  in  Washing-
 ton, D.C. to billions of dollars in federal funding, the census matters.
   (c)  New York must address the loss of population that has resulted in
 the loss of congressional representation after  each  federal  decennial
 census  since 1950. While the state had 45 members of Congress after the
 1940 census, the loss after each subsequent decennial census now  leaves
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD08771-03-5
              

 S. 6898                             2
 
 the  state with only 26 members of Congress. Current projections suggest
 New York losing at least two seats after the 2030 census. State  govern-
 ment,  working  with  key stakeholders, has an obligation to step in and
 help  stem  future  losses.    By ensuring a fair and complete decennial
 census, New York State can address this challenge.
   (d) By expanding partnerships between the  Census  Bureau,  state  and
 local community leaders, community-based organizations, education, busi-
 ness,  labor,  philanthropies,  and  stakeholders, New York State cannot
 only help develop accurate census counts through the  decennial  census,
 American Community Survey, the Local Update of Census Addresses program,
 and  other census data reports, but help avoid the undercounts that have
 hurt the state in past decades by directing resources to  improve  popu-
 lation  counts  in communities that have been historically undercounted.
 Key elements of this strategy include:
   (i) making awareness of the census part of the state's civic  culture,
 integrating  census  data  usage  into  schools,  business, social, good
 government, economic planning, and other venues where census data  helps
 drive decision-making;
   (ii)  providing  educational  efforts to community activists, industry
 leaders, constituents, and the public to  increase  awareness,  support,
 and  participation in an accurate census. Better knowledge of and use of
 census data helps informed decision-making  in  all  sectors  and  helps
 drive stronger economic improvement strategies and improves and benefits
 all New Yorkers;
   (iii) promoting the American Community Survey that is taken every year
 and  provides data about local communities annually, providing an excel-
 lent source of  local  information  for  social  and  economic  planning
 purposes;
   (iv)  helping to coordinate, plan for, and fund Local Update of Census
 Addresses (LUCA) type efforts on an annual basis  to  ensure  that  LUCA
 submissions  are  strong  across  the  state  so that we are not missing
 households in census counting efforts;
   (v)   evaluating   hard-to-count   communities   to   develop   better
 outreach/education strategies;
   (vi)  inventorying  resources  within  all  levels  of  government and
 academic/private sectors to "hit the ground running" leading up  to  the
 2030 and future censuses; and
   (vii)  development of a grant program to support local governments and
 community-based organizations,  academic  institutions,  and  non-profit
 organizations  to  insure a complete 2030 decennial count and for subse-
 quent decades.
   (e) New York State needs a  comprehensive  coordinated  census  effort
 unlike  past  decades  where state government efforts were insufficient.
 Updated strategies and approaches should focus on census data  analysis,
 accurate  address lists, information about demographic trends, outreach,
 state and local project planning, and follow up to meet  the  challenges
 of the next census.
   (f)  To  ensure that every New York resident is counted in the census,
 planning must  start  now  with  a  dedicated,  multi-faceted  approach.
 Census data informs us of who we are, our populations by age, sex, race,
 and  ethnicity,  our  housing units and types, and advises of trends and
 how the state is changing. A well planned and coordinated  state  census
 strategy consists of many parts.
   §  3. The executive law is amended by adding two new sections 95-d and
 95-e to read as follows:
 S. 6898                             3
 
   § 95-D. OFFICE OF CENSUS SERVICES. 1. DEFINITIONS.   AS USED  IN  THIS
 SECTION AND IN SECTION NINETY-FIVE-E OF THIS ARTICLE:
   (A)  "AMERICAN  COMMUNITY SURVEY" MEANS AN ONGOING SURVEY CONDUCTED BY
 THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU THAT PROVIDES VITAL INFORMATION ON A YEARLY BASIS
 ABOUT THE UNITED STATES AND ITS PEOPLE;
   (B) "CENSUS DAY" MEANS THE OFFICIAL REPORTING DATE OF THE U.S. CENSUS;
   (C) "COMMISSION" MEANS THE NEW YORK  STATE  CENSUS  COUNTS  COMMISSION
 ESTABLISHED IN SECTION NINETY-FIVE-E OF THIS ARTICLE;
   (D)  "OFFICE"  MEANS THE OFFICE OF CENSUS SERVICES CREATED BY SUBDIVI-
 SION TWO OF THIS SECTION;
   (E) "SECRETARY" MEANS THE SECRETARY OF STATE; AND
   (F) "U.S. CENSUS BUREAU'S LOCAL UPDATE OF CENSUS ADDRESSES  OPERATION"
 (LUCA) MEANS THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN FEDERAL AND LOCAL OFFICIALS PROVID-
 ING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OFFICIALS OF TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
 TO  ENGAGE  WITH THE NEXT CENSUS BY REVIEWING AND COMMENTING ON THE U.S.
 CENSUS BUREAU'S ADDRESS LIST PRIOR TO THE FOLLOWING CENSUS;
   2. OFFICE OF CENSUS SERVICES.  THERE  IS  HEREBY  CREATED  WITHIN  THE
 DEPARTMENT  OF  STATE  AN OFFICE OF CENSUS SERVICES. THE SECRETARY SHALL
 APPOINT A DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE TO ACCOMPLISH THE RESPONSIBILITIES  SET
 FORTH  IN  THIS  SECTION.  SUCH  DIRECTOR SHALL RECEIVE AN ANNUAL SALARY
 WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED AND SHALL  SERVE  AT  THE  PLEASURE  OF  THE
 SECRETARY.
   3.  ORGANIZATION OF THE OFFICE OF CENSUS SERVICES. THE SECRETARY SHALL
 HAVE THE POWER TO ESTABLISH, CONSOLIDATE,  REORGANIZE,  OR  ABOLISH  ANY
 ORGANIZATIONAL UNITS WITHIN THE OFFICE AS THE SECRETARY DETERMINES TO BE
 NECESSARY  FOR  EFFICIENT  OPERATION THEREOF. THE SECRETARY SHALL ASSIGN
 FUNCTIONS TO ANY SUCH UNIT AND MAY APPOINT STAFF, AGENTS,  AND  CONSULT-
 ANTS,  PRESCRIBE THEIR DUTIES, AND FIX THEIR COMPENSATION WITHIN AMOUNTS
 APPROPRIATED.  THE SECRETARY SHALL ENDEAVOR TO OBTAIN AND COMPENSATE THE
 SERVICES OF THESE EXPERTS IN THE STATE WITH EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE  IN
 CENSUS ENUMERATION, PROCESS, EDUCATION, AND PROMOTION.
   4.  POWERS  AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF CENSUS SERVICES. THE OFFICE OF
 CENSUS SERVICES SHALL HAVE THE POWER AND RESPONSIBILITY TO:
   (A) PROMOTE A GOVERNMENT-WIDE EFFORT TO ACHIEVE A  COMPLETE  COUNT  OF
 NEW YORK RESIDENTS FOR EACH DECENNIAL NATIONAL CENSUS, AS WELL AS INTER-
 LUDE PUBLIC CENSUS EFFORTS;
   (B) ASSIST IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF CENSUS OUTREACH EFFORTS TO ENCOUR-
 AGE COMPLETE COUNT, INCLUDING PROVIDE STAFF AND CONSULTANT ASSISTANCE TO
 THE  COMMISSION AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF STATE-FUNDED GRANT PROGRAMS TO
 SUPPORT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS;
   (C) SUPPORT U.S. CENSUS BUREAU OUTREACH EFFORTS TO FACILITATE  QUALITY
 PUBLIC DATA GATHERING;
   (D) PROVIDE ITS INFORMATION IN LANGUAGES ACCESSIBLE TO NEW YORKERS;
   (E)  LIAISE  WITH  LOCAL  NEW YORK GOVERNMENTS THROUGH THE DIVISION OF
 LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES REGARDING CENSUS EFFORTS  AND  LOCAL  COMPLETE
 COUNT EFFORTS;
   (F) COORDINATE CENSUS DAY EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE;
   (G)  COORDINATE  WITH  THE  DEPARTMENT OF LABOR STATE DATA CENTER, AND
 STATE OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES IN DEVELOPING AND  MAIN-
 TAINING  A  STREET  ADDRESS MAINTENANCE (SAM) PROGRAM FOR CENSUS ADDRESS
 PROGRAMS;
   (H) DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY  ORGANIZATIONS  FOCUSED  ON  A
 COMPLETE  COUNT,  INCLUDING,  BUT  NOT LIMITED TO, NEW YORK LAW SCHOOL'S
 N.Y.  ELECTIONS, CENSUS & REDISTRICTING INSTITUTE, THE CENTER FOR  URBAN
 RESEARCH  AT  THE  CUNY  GRADUATE  CENTER, MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE, CORNELL
 UNIVERSITY'S  PROGRAM  ON  APPLIED  DEMOGRAPHICS,  GRASSROOTS  COMMUNITY
 S. 6898                             4
 
 ORGANIZATIONS,  AND  ESTABLISHED PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATIONS AND FOUNDA-
 TIONS DEDICATED TO A FULL AND COMPLETE CENSUS COUNT;
   (I) CONTRACT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR STATE DATA CENTER TO SUPPORT
 CENSUS  OPERATIONS  TO  COMPLEMENT  DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH TO
 PROMOTE A FAIR AND FULL COUNT;
   (J) PREPARE ANNUAL POPULATION ESTIMATES FOR THE STATE,  COUNTIES,  AND
 LOCAL  GOVERNMENTS  FROM A BASIC METHOD OF MONITORING DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS
 AND CHANGES WITHIN THE STATE;
   (K) WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND ITS CONTRACTOR, THE  CORNELL
 UNIVERSITY  PROGRAM  ON APPLIED DEMOGRAPHICS, AS APPROPRIATE, TO PUBLISH
 ANNUAL POPULATION ESTIMATES COORDINATED WITH THE  U.S.  CENSUS  BUREAU'S
 FEDERAL-STATE  COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS FOR POPULATION ESTIMATES AND PROJEC-
 TIONS;
   (L) COORDINATE AND OVERSEE STATEWIDE SUBMISSIONS FOR  CENSUS  PROGRAMS
 INCLUDING  THE  LOCAL UPDATE OF CENSUS ADDRESSES (LUCA), CENSUS QUESTION
 RESOLUTION (CQR), ANNUAL BOUNDARY AND ANNEXATION SURVEY  (BAS),  PARTIC-
 IPANT STATISTICAL AREAS PROGRAM (PSAP) AND BUILDING PERMIT REPORTING;
   (M)  CONVENE  AND MAINTAIN A WORKING GROUP OF STATE STATISTICAL AGENCY
 STATISTICIANS AND UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS TO CONDUCT ONGOING RESEARCH  ON
 STATE DEMOGRAPHIC DATA TRENDS AND SOURCES;
   (N) EVALUATE THE DEMOGRAPHIC IMPACT OF POLICY PROPOSALS; AND
   (O) WORK TO IMPLEMENT EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY MAKING.
   5.  IN ADDITION TO THE POWERS AND DUTIES SPECIFIED IN SUBDIVISION FOUR
 OF THIS SECTION, THE OFFICE SHALL:
   (A) (I) COORDINATE WITH THE COMMISSION, AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION  NINE-
 TY-FIVE-E  OF  THIS ARTICLE, TO DEVELOP AND PROMULGATE A NEW YORK CENSUS
 BILL OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES NO LATER THAN  ONE  YEAR  AFTER  THE
 EFFECTIVE  DATE OF THIS SECTION. THE CENSUS BILL OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSI-
 BILITIES SHALL AFFIRM THE RIGHTS OF  ALL  NEW  YORKERS  TO  ALL  OF  THE
 FOLLOWING:
   (1) TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FEDERAL DECENNIAL CENSUS AND OTHER IMPORTANT
 CENSUS UNDERTAKINGS FREE OF THREAT OR INTIMIDATION;
   (2)  TO  MAINTAIN  CONFIDENTIALITY  OF  THE  INFORMATION PROVIDED IN A
 CENSUS FORM OR BY VERBAL RESPONSE;
   (3) TO RESPOND TO A CENSUS BY MEANS OF THEIR CHOSEN  MODALITY,  EITHER
 ELECTRONICALLY, ON PAPER, OR BY TELEPHONE;
   (4) TO REQUEST LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE; AND
   (5) TO VERIFY THE IDENTITY OF A CENSUS WORKER.
   (II) THE OFFICE SHALL TRANSLATE THE NEW YORK CENSUS BILL OF RIGHTS AND
 RESPONSIBILITIES  IN  LANGUAGES  OTHER THAN ENGLISH, CONSISTENT WITH THE
 FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965 (52 U.S.C. SEC. 10503).
   (III) THE OFFICE SHALL MAKE THE NEW YORK CENSUS  BILL  OF  RIGHTS  AND
 RESPONSIBILITIES  AVAILABLE ON ITS INTERNET WEBSITE AND AVAILABLE TO THE
 PUBLIC, SUCH AS  FOR  INCLUSION  ON  CITY  AND  COUNTY  CENSUS  INTERNET
 WEBSITES AND CENSUS QUESTIONNAIRE ASSISTANCE CENTER INTERNET WEBSITES.
   (B)  COORDINATE  WITH  THE  COMMISSION TO THE OBLIGATIONS SET FORTH IN
 SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION NINETY-FIVE-E OF THIS ARTICLE.
   § 95-E. THE NEW YORK STATE CENSUS  COUNTS  COMMISSION.  1.  COMMISSION
 ESTABLISHED.  A  COMMISSION  TO  BE  KNOWN  AS THE NEW YORK STATE CENSUS
 COUNTS COMMISSION, HEREAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE "COMMISSION," IS  HEREBY
 ESTABLISHED  TO  PROMOTE  A  FULL AND COMPLETE CENSUS COUNT, TO IDENTIFY
 ISSUES THAT MAY HAVE LED TO PAST UNITED STATES CENSUS UNDERCOUNTS IN NEW
 YORK STATE, TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENSURE AN ACCURATE COUNT  IN  THE
 UNITED  STATES  CENSUS,  AND TO HELP PROMOTE A COMPLETE DECENNIAL CENSUS
 AND AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY COUNT.
 S. 6898                             5
 
   2. MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION. (A) THE COMMISSION SHALL  CONSIST  OF
 THIRTY MEMBERS TO BE APPOINTED AS FOLLOWS:
   (I)  SEVEN  MEMBERS,  INCLUDING  THE  CHAIR, SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE
 GOVERNOR FROM EXECUTIVE AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE SIGNIFICANT
 INTERACTION WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS FOLLOWS:
   (1) THE SECRETARY OF STATE, WHO SHALL SERVE AS CHAIR  OF  THE  COMMIS-
 SION;
   (2) THE COUNSEL TO THE GOVERNOR;
   (3)  THE  GOVERNOR'S  DEPUTY  SECRETARY  FOR UPSTATE INTERGOVERNMENTAL
 AFFAIRS;
   (4) THE GOVERNOR'S DEPUTY SECRETARY  FOR  DOWNSTATE  INTERGOVERNMENTAL
 AFFAIRS;
   (5) THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOR;
   (6) THE CHANCELLOR OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK; AND
   (7) THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION;
   (II)  TWO  MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR FROM AGENCIES OF
 THE CITY OF NEW YORK THAT HAVE SIGNIFICANT INTERACTION WITH THE  GENERAL
 PUBLIC;
   (III)  FIFTEEN MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR REPRESENTING
 INTERESTS FROM ACROSS THE STATE; THESE APPOINTMENTS SHALL INCLUDE  LEAD-
 ERS  OF  ACADEMIC  INSTITUTIONS, COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND NON-
 PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS EXPERIENCED  IN  AND  HAVING  KNOWLEDGE  ABOUT  THE
 CENSUS;
   (IV) TWO MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY;
   (V) ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE ASSEM-
 BLY;
   (VI)  TWO MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE
 SENATE; AND
   (VII) ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED BY  THE  MINORITY  LEADER  OF  THE
 SENATE.
   (B)  MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION REPRESENTING INTERESTS OUTSIDE NEW YORK
 CITY SHALL SERVE A TERM OF OFFICE OF SIX YEARS.
   (C) ANY VACANCY ON THE COMMISSION SHALL BE FILLED IN THE  SAME  MANNER
 AS THE ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT WAS MADE.
   (D)  THE  APPOINTMENTS  MADE  PURSUANT  TO  THIS SECTION SHALL, TO THE
 EXTENT PRACTICABLE, REFLECT THE DIVERSITY OF THE RESIDENTS OF THIS STATE
 WITH REGARD TO RACE, ETHNICITY, GENDER, LANGUAGE,  AGE,  AND  GEOGRAPHIC
 RESIDENCE  AND,  TO  THE  EXTENT  PRACTICABLE THE APPOINTING AUTHORITIES
 SHALL, IN CONSIDERING POTENTIAL APPOINTEES TO  THE  COMMISSION,  CONSULT
 WITH  ORGANIZATIONS  DEVOTED  TO  REPRESENTING MUNICIPALITIES AND EDUCA-
 TIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE  ELDER-
 LY,  CHILDREN,  MINORITY COMMUNITIES, AND INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES TO
 COMBAT POVERTY.
   (E) THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION SHALL RECEIVE NO DIRECT COMPENSATION
 FOR THEIR SERVICES AS MEMBERS. REASONABLE TRAVEL COSTS MAY BE REIMBURSED
 BY THE STATE FOR OFFICIAL BUSINESS TRAVEL.
   (F) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY INCONSISTENT PROVISION OF ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL
 OR LOCAL LAW, ORDINANCE, RESOLUTION OR CHARTER, NO  OFFICER,  MEMBER  OR
 EMPLOYEE  OF  THE STATE OR OF ANY PUBLIC CORPORATION SHALL FORFEIT THEIR
 OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT BY REASON OF ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT AS A  MEMBER
 OF THE COMMISSION, NOR SHALL SERVICE AS SUCH COMMISSION MEMBER BE DEEMED
 INCOMPATIBLE OR IN CONFLICT WITH SUCH OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT.
   3.  POWERS  AND  DUTIES  OF  THE  COMMISSION. (A) THE COMMISSION SHALL
 STUDY, EXAMINE, AND REVIEW THE ISSUES THAT MAY HAVE LED TO  PAST  UNITED
 STATES  CENSUS  UNDERCOUNTS IN NEW YORK STATE AND SHALL MAKE RECOMMENDA-
 S. 6898                             6
 
 TIONS TO ENSURE AN ACCURATE COUNT IN THE UNITED STATES CENSUS AND DEVEL-
 OP EFFECTIVE OUTREACH PROGRAMS.
   (B)  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE CENSUS ON AN
 ONGOING BASIS, DEVELOPING STRATEGIES TO ENSURE THAT NEW YORKERS  RESPOND
 TO  THE  AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY, PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH EFFORTS
 TO SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, CIVIC, RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL, AND OTHER RELATED
 ORGANIZATIONS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CENSUS AND WAYS CENSUS  DATA  CAN
 BE  USED  TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ASSIST IN DECI-
 SION-MAKING PROCESSES. BASED ON SOCIAL DEMOGRAPHIC BEST  PRACTICES,  THE
 COMMISSION  MAY  ALSO  ADVISE  THE  GOVERNOR  ON  NEW YORK'S POSITION ON
 UPDATES TO THE CENSUS QUESTIONNAIRE. THE COMMISSION SHALL MAINTAIN REGU-
 LAR LIAISON WITH THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU (HEREAFTER "THE BUREAU") AND NEW
 YORK'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO REQUEST ANY CHANGES  TO  REQUEST  AND
 SECURE A FULL END-TO-END CENSUS TEST EACH DECADE, SUGGEST CHANGES TO THE
 U.S.  CENSUS  BUREAU'S MASTER PLAN, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES DEEMED NECES-
 SARY BY THE COMMISSION.
   (C) THE COMMISSION SHALL MEET ON AT LEAST A  QUARTERLY  BASIS  AT  THE
 CALL  OF  THE  CHAIR.  THE FIRST MEETING SHALL BE HELD WITHIN FORTY-FIVE
 DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION.
   (D) THE COMMISSION MAY MEET AND HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS AND EVENTS WITHIN
 THE STATE AND REPRESENT THE STATE AT OUT-OF-STATE  CENSUS-RELATED  MEET-
 INGS AND EVENTS.
   (E) THE COMMISSION MAY ESTABLISH COMMITTEES AND WORKGROUPS IN FURTHER-
 ANCE  OF  THE PURPOSES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION AND MAY INCLUDE ON SUCH
 COMMITTEES AND WORKGROUPS INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT MEMBERS OF THE COMMIS-
 SION.
   (F) THE COMMISSION MAY REQUEST AND MAY RECEIVE FROM  ANY  SUBDIVISION,
 DEPARTMENT,  BOARD, COMMISSION, OFFICE, AGENCY, OR OTHER INSTRUMENTALITY
 OF THE STATE OR OF ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION  THEREOF  SUCH  FACILITIES,
 ASSISTANCE,  AND  DATA  REASONABLY  AVAILABLE  AS  IT DEEMS NECESSARY OR
 DESIRABLE FOR THE PROPER EXECUTION OF  ITS  POWERS  AND  DUTIES  AND  TO
 EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION.
   (G)  THE  COMMISSION  IS  AUTHORIZED  AND  EMPOWERED TO ENTER INTO ANY
 AGREEMENTS AND TO DO AND PERFORM ANY ACTS THAT MAY BE NECESSARY, DESIRA-
 BLE, OR PROPER TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES AND  OBJECTIVES  OF  THIS  ACT,
 INCLUDING  ENTERING  INTO  CONTRACTS IN FURTHERANCE OF THE PROVISIONS OF
 THIS SECTION.
   (H) THE COMMISSION IS AUTHORIZED AND EMPOWERED TO  ENTER  INTO  AGREE-
 MENTS TO PARTNER WITH AND PROVIDE FUNDING TO QUALIFIED EXPERTS, NON-PRO-
 FIT  ORGANIZATIONS,  AND  PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN
 THE STATE THAT SPECIALIZE IN THE USE OF CENSUS DATA FOR ECONOMIC  DEVEL-
 OPMENT  AND  STRATEGIC  PLANNING  AND THAT ALSO HELP EDUCATE NEW YORKERS
 ABOUT THE CENSUS AND ITS IMPORTANCE.
   (I) ON OR BEFORE THE FIFTH YEAR OF EACH DECADE BEGINNING IN TWO  THOU-
 SAND  TWENTY-FIVE  AND  IN  EACH SUBSEQUENT DECADE, THE COMMISSION SHALL
 TRANSMIT TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE  LEGISLATURE  A  REPORT  CONTAINING  AN
 OVERVIEW  OF  CENSUS  SUCCESSES AND THE ISSUES THAT MAY HAVE LED TO PAST
 UNITED STATES CENSUS UNDERCOUNTS IN NEW YORK STATE AND  A  COMPREHENSIVE
 ACTION  PLAN, INCLUDING BEST PRACTICES, FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL
 AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES TO WORK TOGETHER  TO  ENSURE  AN  ACCURATE
 COUNT  IN  THE  FOLLOWING  UNITED  STATES CENSUS. SUCH REPORT SHALL ALSO
 INCLUDE RECOMMENDATIONS ON STATE FUNDS NECESSARY TO ENSURE  AN  ACCURATE
 COUNT IN THE FOLLOWING UNITED STATES CENSUS.
   (J)  ON  OR  BEFORE  JANUARY  TENTH,  IN THE NINTH YEAR OF EACH DECADE
 BEGINNING IN TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-NINE AND IN EACH SUBSEQUENT DECADE, THE
 COMMISSION SHALL TRANSMIT TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE  A  REPORT
 S. 6898                             7
 
 DETAILING  THE  ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE COMMISSION SINCE THE INITIAL REPORT
 OF THE DECADE, AND DETAIL HOW ANY APPROPRIATIONS  MADE  FOR  THE  FISCAL
 YEAR  THAT  INCLUDES CENSUS DAY WILL BE USED TO MEET THE RECOMMENDATIONS
 AND ACTION PLAN MADE IN THE COMMISSION'S INITIAL REPORT, AND INCLUDE ANY
 RECOMMENDED  CHANGES  TO  ITS  PREVIOUS  RECOMMENDATIONS  ON STATE FUNDS
 NECESSARY TO ENSURE AN ACCURATE COUNT IN THE UNITED STATES CENSUS.  THIS
 REPORT  SHALL INCLUDE A DETAILED PLAN FOR HOW TO ENGAGE NEW YORK'S HARD-
 TO-COUNT COMMUNITIES IN CENSUS OPERATIONS.
   4. IN FURTHERANCE OF ITS DUTIES, THE COMMISSION MAY REQUEST AND  SHALL
 RECEIVE STAFF SUPPORT FROM THE OFFICE OF CENSUS SERVICES.
   5.  (A)  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL  COORDINATE  WITH THE OFFICE OF CENSUS
 SERVICES TO ACCOMPLISH THE OBLIGATIONS SET FORTH  IN  PARAGRAPH  (A)  OF
 SUBDIVISION  FIVE OF SECTION NINETY-FIVE-D OF THIS ARTICLE AND THE OBLI-
 GATIONS SET FORTH IN THIS SUBDIVISION.
   (B) THE COMMISSION'S ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT  THE  DECADE  CENSUS  CYCLE
 SHALL INCLUDE:
   (I) YEAR ENDING IN 1:
   (A)  A  REVIEW OF THE PREVIOUS DECADE'S CENSUS NUMBERS AND A REVIEW OF
 ACCURACY OF SUCH NUMBERS;
   (B) WORKING WITH LOCALITIES TO CORRECT CENSUS NUMBERS AS APPROPRIATE;
   (C) RELEASING DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILES FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS; AND
   (D) PROMOTING PARTICIPATION BY NEW YORKERS IN THE  AMERICAN  COMMUNITY
 SURVEY.
   (II) YEAR ENDING IN 2:
   (A)  REVIEWING  POST-ENUMERATION SURVEY RESULTS, WITH A FOCUS ON HARD-
 TO-COUNT COMMUNITIES;
   (B) IDENTIFYING THE BEST PRACTICES AND SHORTCOMINGS FROM THE  PREVIOUS
 DECADE'S CENSUS EFFORTS;
   (C)  NOTIFYING  LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ABOUT THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU'S COUNT
 QUESTIONS RESOLUTION OPERATION AND PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO SUCH  GOVERN-
 MENTS IN INTERACTING WITH THE OPERATION;
   (D)  PROVIDING COMMENT TO THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF
 THE BUREAU'S MASTER PLAN; AND
   (E) PROMOTING PARTICIPATION BY NEW YORKERS IN THE  AMERICAN  COMMUNITY
 SURVEY.
   (III) YEAR ENDING IN 3:
   (A)  MONITORING  U.S.  CENSUS  BUREAU  DECISIONS  REGARDING  THE  NEXT
 DECADE'S CENSUS QUESTIONNAIRE;
   (B) PROVIDE INFORMATION ON DECENNIAL  CENSUS  AND  AMERICAN  COMMUNITY
 SURVEY  DATA  TO  HELP EDUCATE NEW YORKERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE
 SURVEYS AND HOW TO USE THEM FOR LOCAL PLANNING PURPOSES;
   (C) PROMOTING PARTICIPATION BY NEW YORKERS IN THE  AMERICAN  COMMUNITY
 SURVEY.
   (IV) YEAR ENDING IN 4:
   (A)  EDUCATE  LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS ABOUT THE U.S. CENSUS
 BUREAU'S LOCAL UPDATE OF CENSUS ADDRESSES (LUCA);
   (B) PROMOTE PARTICIPATION BY NEW YORKERS  IN  THE  AMERICAN  COMMUNITY
 SURVEY.
   (V) YEAR ENDING IN 5:
   (A)  EDUCATE  STATE  ENTITIES  AND  RESIDENTS  ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF
 ECONOMIC SURVEYS;
   (B) ENGAGE WITH AND INFORM NEW YORKERS ON  DECENNIAL  CENSUS  PLANNING
 AND DESIGN;
   (C)  PROMOTE  PARTICIPATION  BY  NEW YORKERS IN THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY
 SURVEY; AND
 S. 6898                             8
 
   (D) ASSIST WITH STATE AND LOCAL  PLANS  TO  PARTICIPATE  IN  THE  U.S.
 CENSUS BUREAU'S LOCAL UPDATE OF CENSUS ADDRESSES (LUCA) PROGRAM.
   (VI) YEAR ENDING IN 6:
   (A) REVIEW CENSUS COMMUNICATIONS FOR UPCOMING DECENNIAL CENSUS;
   (B) BEGIN LIAISING WITH HARD-TO-COUNT COMMUNITIES REGARDING THE UPCOM-
 ING DECENNIAL CENSUS;
   (C)  DEVELOP  TEST  PROGRAMS  TO  GAUGE  NEW YORKERS' AWARENESS OF THE
 DECENNIAL CENSUS AND THE CENSUS QUESTIONNAIRE;
   (D) PROMOTE PARTICIPATION BY NEW YORKERS  IN  THE  AMERICAN  COMMUNITY
 SURVEY; AND
   (E)  ASSIST  WITH  STATE  AND  LOCAL  PLANS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE U.S.
 CENSUS BUREAU'S LOCAL UPDATE OF CENSUS ADDRESSES (LUCA) PROGRAM.
   (VII) YEAR ENDING IN 7:
   (A) ASSIST WITH STATE AND LOCAL  PLANS  TO  PARTICIPATE  IN  THE  U.S.
 CENSUS BUREAU'S LOCAL UPDATE OF CENSUS ADDRESSES (LUCA) PROGRAM;
   (B) DEVELOP A PLANNING TIMELINE FOR THE DECENNIAL CENSUS; AND
   (C)  PROMOTE  PARTICIPATION  BY  NEW YORKERS IN THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY
 SURVEY.
   (VIII) YEAR ENDING IN 8:
   (A) PARTICIPATE IN END-TO-END CENSUS TEST;
   (B) SECURE REGIONAL CENSUS OFFICE;
   (C) REVIEW THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU'S LOCAL UPDATE OF CENSUS ADDRESSES
   (LUCA) PROGRAM'S NEW YORK RESULTS FOR ACCURACY;
   (D) DEVELOP LIAISON WITH U.S. CENSUS BUREAU LOCAL OFFICES FOR DECENNI-
 AL CENSUS RECRUITMENT AND PLACEMENT  OF  BUREAU  PARTNERSHIP  SPECIALIST
 LOCAL OFFICES, AND OTHER OPERATIONS;
   (E)  PROMOTE  PARTICIPATION  BY  NEW YORKERS IN THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY
 SURVEY; AND
   (F) DEVELOP ADDITIONAL GRANT PROGRAMS  TO  SUPPORT  EFFORTS  OF  LOCAL
 GOVERNMENTS  AND  PUBLIC  INTEREST  STAKEHOLDERS  TO ENGAGE IN DECENNIAL
 CENSUS OUTREACH EFFORTS.
   (IX) YEAR ENDING IN 9:
   (A) HIRE STATE-ASSISTED TEMPORARY DECENNIAL CENSUS STAFF;
   (B) DEVELOP DECENNIAL CENSUS MESSAGING;
   (C) SUPPORT U.S. CENSUS BUREAU EFFORTS TO RECRUIT AND HIRE  STAFF  FOR
 FIELD CANVASSING, LOCAL CENSUS OFFICES, AND OTHER OFFICES;
   (D) DEVELOP AND LAUNCH STATE EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN;
   (E)  PROMOTE  PARTICIPATION  BY  NEW YORKERS IN THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY
 SURVEY;
   (F) SCHEDULE COMMISSION OUTREACH AND ORGANIZING EFFORTS, WITH A  FOCUS
 ON HARD-TO-COUNT AND UNDERCOUNTED LOCALITIES;
   (G)  ASSIST  WITH  STATE  AND  LOCAL  PLANS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE U.S.
 CENSUS BUREAU'S LOCAL UPDATE OF CENSUS ADDRESSES (LUCA) PROGRAM; AND
   (H) DEVELOP A GRANT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT EFFORTS  OF  LOCAL  GOVERNMENTS
 AND  PUBLIC INTEREST STAKEHOLDERS TO ENGAGE IN DECENNIAL CENSUS OUTREACH
 EFFORTS.
   (X) YEAR ENDING IN 0:
   (A) IMPLEMENT OVERALL COMPREHENSIVE CENSUS PLAN;
   (B) PARTICIPATE IN CENSUS DAY;
   (C) ENSURE A COMPLETE COUNT OF ALL NEW YORK HOUSEHOLDS;
   (D) PROVIDE CENSUS OUTREACH MATERIALS IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES IN ACCORD-
 ANCE WITH THE FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965 (52 U.S.C. SEC.  10503);
 AND
   (E)  PROMOTE  PARTICIPATION  BY  NEW YORKERS IN THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY
 SURVEY.
 S. 6898                             9
 
   § 4. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 190.95  to  read
 as follows:
 § 190.95 IMPERSONATION OF A CENSUS ENUMERATOR.
   A  PERSON IS GUILTY OF IMPERSONATION OF A CENSUS ENUMERATOR, WHEN SUCH
 PERSON, WITH THE INTENT TO INTERFERE WITH THE OPERATION OF A  GOVERNMENT
 CENSUS  OR WITH THE INTENT TO OBTAIN INFORMATION OR CONSENT TO AN OTHER-
 WISE UNLAWFUL SEARCH OR SEIZURE:
   1. FALSELY REPRESENTS THAT THEY ARE A CENSUS ENUMERATOR; OR
   2. FALSELY ASSUMES SOME OR ALL OF THE ACTIVITIES OF A CENSUS TAKER.
   IMPERSONATION OF A CENSUS ENUMERATOR IS A MISDEMEANOR,  PUNISHABLE  BY
 IMPRISONMENT  IN  A COUNTY JAIL NOT EXCEEDING ONE YEAR, OR BY A FINE NOT
 EXCEEDING ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS, OR BY BOTH SUCH IMPRISONMENT AND FINE.
   § 5.  The sum of fifteen million dollars  ($15,000,000),  or  so  much
 thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated to the department of
 state  out  of any moneys in the state treasury in the general fund, not
 otherwise appropriated, and made immediately available, for the  purpose
 of carrying out the provisions of this act. Such moneys shall be payable
 on    the  audit and warrant of the comptroller on vouchers certified or
 approved by the secretary of state in the  manner prescribed by law.
   § 6. This act shall take effect immediately.