Allows satisfaction of constitutional requirement that bills be on members desks prior to passage/voting by distribution of bills in electronically written form: provides that a bill shall be deemed to be printed and upon the desks of the members if: it is set forth in a legible electronic format by electronic means, and it is available for review in such format at the desks of the members; provides that "electronic means" means any method of transmission of information between computers or other machines designed for the purpose of sending and receiving such transmissions and which: allows the recipient to reproduce the information transmitted in a tangible medium of expression; and does not permit additions, deletions or other changes to be made without leaving an adequate record thereof.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A5274A
SPONSOR: Galef (MS)
 
TITLE OF BILL: CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY
proposing an amendment to section 14 of article 3 of the constitution,
in relation to the manner of passing bills
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: Allows satisfaction of constitu-
tional requirement that bills be on Members' desks by distribution of
bills in electronically written form.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: Amends Section 14 of Article 3 of the
constitution relating to the requirement that no bill shall be passed or
become law unless it shall have been printed and placed upon the desks
of Members. This bill adds language that specifies that a bill shall be
deemed printed and on Members' desks if:
* it is set forth in a legible electronic format by electronic means,
and;
* It is available for review at the desks of Members. Also, "electronic
means" is specifically defined to mean any method of transmission
between computers that:
* i. Allows the recipient to reproduce the information transmitted in a
tangible medium, so that if any member prefers to review the information
printed on paper, he or she can do so, and
ii. Does not allow additions, deletions or other changes to be made
without leaving an adequate record thereof.
 
JUSTIFICATION: In today's technologically advanced age, a significant
amount of time, money, and paper can be saved by providing legislation
on the desks of Members, prior to their voting, in electronic rather
than paper format. The benefits would be especially pronounced when
voting on budget bills since they are voluminous by nature. The Legisla-
tive Session, currently lengthy, is additionally protracted since
members must wait for each piece of legislation to be reprinted as last
minute changes are incorporated. Inputting bills into a software program
on a computer, transmitting them through electronic means to individual
computers located on each member's desk, would speed up the process.
Through the reduction of paperwork and time expended in the current
process results in a more efficient and cost effective one. This legis-
lation would make an electronic option available to all Members.
Members who prefer to receive and review a paper version of any bill
will have access to one. This legislation clearly specifies that every
member who so desires, must have access to a paper version of any legis-
lation on his or her desk.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A.6340-A and S.8234 of 2009/2010
A.2108 and S.2981 of 2007/2008
A.2057 and S.4659 of 2005/2006
A.6497 and S.4128 of 2003/2004
A.5770 of 2001/2002
A.4879 of 1999/2000
A.8542 of 1997/1998
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: There is an initial cast for installing a
computer system in the Assembly and Senate chambers, but thereafter a
savings in printing costs.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE: Resolved (if the Senate concurs) that the foregoing
amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session convening
after the next succeeding general election.