New Law Promotes Efficiency and Cost Savings For Local Governments

ALBANY – A new law will save local taxpayers money and improve government efficiency by allowing local governments to submit proposed laws electronically.

This legislation was signed into law by the Governor yesterday. The Senate version of the bill, S.3018A, was sponsored by Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I– Olean). Assemblywoman Sandy Galef (D–Ossining) and Assemblyman Joseph Giglio (R,C,I–Gowanda) sponsored the Assembly version, A.7376A. As a result, local governments will no longer be required to deliver paper versions of their proposed laws to legislators.  

Last fall, a constitutional amendment was passed eliminating the requirement that massive stacks of paper copies of state legislation be delivered to the desks of state legislators. As a result, both the State Senate and Assembly have gone paperless. The advantages of electronic delivery of legislation are readily apparent and include reduced costs and improved efficiency.

“I have experienced first-hand the benefits of electronic delivery of legislation in the State Senate. After a successful public referendum, bills are no longer printed and placed on our desks. This same flexibility should be given to our local governments to provide them with the option to deliver proposed laws via email. It is both a matter of convenience and a way for local governments to save money,” said Senator Young.

“This new law will help our local government officials get information about proposed public laws more quickly, efficiently, and economically, and will relieve an outdated mandate. Technology has changed, and using email options to convey important information should be available to all levels of government, and should not be illegal. It was a pleasure working with Senator Young and Assemblyman Giglio to make this legislation a reality,” said Assemblywoman Galef.

“This legislation is a common-sense, 21st century upgrade to the statutes that lay the ground rules for how local governments must operate,” said Assemblyman Giglio. “Electronic distribution of local laws will help all local governments operate more efficiently and cost-effectively. If state government can distribute legislation by email, local governments should receive the same relief and opportunity. I applaud Senator Young and Assemblywoman Galef for their efforts to pass this important legislation, and I look forward to additional statutory reforms to help local governments improve their efficiency.”

Local governments now have the option to pass a resolution authorizing electronic delivery of bills. If the resolution is passed unanimously, they will then be able to distribute proposed legislation by email in PDF format.

Important mechanisms remain in place to ensure that laws are not passed without a thorough review, including the requirement that communications be done at least ten days prior to the legislation’s passage. Each member of the local legislature also must have an email address, and the local government clerk must have access to each member’s email address.