A00855 Summary:

BILL NO    A00855 

SAME AS    No same as 

SPONSOR    Galef (MS)

COSPNSR    Paulin, Thiele, Meng, Kavanagh, Barron, Millman, Ortiz, Kellner,
           Rosenthal, Brook-Krasny, Jaffee, Lupardo, Calhoun, Sayward, Burling,
           Corwin, Raia, Giglio, Jordan, Tobacco, Castro, Castelli, Butler,
           Linares

MLTSPNSR   Amedore, Barclay, Conte, Crouch, Duprey, Finch, Goodell, Jeffries,
           Kolb, Latimer, Lavine, Lopez P, Magee, McDonough, McKevitt,
           Montesano, Murray, Oaks, Rabbitt, Saladino, Schimel, Tedisco

Add S54-b, amd S80, Leg L; amd S24, ren S99-d to be S99-t, add S99-u, St Fin L

Clarifies the appropriation and qualification of member items, authorizes the
legislative ethics commission to review violations of the qualification of
member items, and requires that all member items be fully itemized.
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A00855 Memo:

 BILL NUMBER:  A855

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the legislative law, in relation to
clarifying the appropriation and qualification of member items and
authorizes the legislative ethics commission to review violations of
the qualification of member items; and to amend the state finance law,
in relation to requiring that all member items be fully itemized

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL : To prevent conflicts of interest in
the distribution of member item funds, increase transparency of the
member item process, and ensure that member item funds are used
efficiently.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :

Amend Section 1 of the Legislative Law by adding section 54-b.

* Defines the term "member item"

* Provides that no member item shell be distributed when a conflict of
interest exists between the legislator or the governor designating the
member item and the potential recipient.

* Defines the term "conflict of interest."

* Requires each legislator or governor to sign a conflict of interest
form under perjury of law.

* Provides that each member of the assembly and senate shall receive
the same allocation as the other members in their respective house.

* Provides that any state agency providing funding for member items
evaluate the spending by the recipient to ensure that the money is
being used for its intended purpose.

* Establishes detailed criteria to be followed when distributing
member items.

* Requires recipients of a member item totaling $50,000 or more to
file a final report with the. New York State Attorney General

* Prior to submitting an application for a member item, potential
recipients must meet pre-clearance standards as established by-the
Attorney General.

* All member items shall be listed separate and apart from the entire
state budget.

 JUSTIFICATION :  Currently, the member item process is neither
equitable, open or efficient. This bill would add fairness,
transparency, and accountability to a broken system. Clearly, the
process is unfair; some legislators-receive large amounts of funding
for their districts, while others receive little or no funding. There
is no rational basis for this system. Furthermore, the current system
does not take adequate measures to ensure that member item funds are
used appropriately. This bill would go to great lengths to establish
'standards to ensure that member item funds are used effectively for
projects that have a public purpose. Finally, the bill would seek to
make the member item process more open by requiring publication of
important member item information at least 24 hours prior to the
approval of the State Budget.

We should hold ourselves, and our colleagues, accountable to the
residents of New York. Member items are paid for with taxpayer money.
The current member item system is full of waste and scandal. This
legislation would help fix the broken system. It is particularly
important now, with the state facing a fiscal crisis, that we insist
on integrity of the member item process.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY : A.10116-A and S.7007-A of 2009/2010

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS : To be determined.

 EFFECTIVE DATE : Immediately
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A00855 Text:

                           S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________

                                          855

                              2011-2012 Regular Sessions

                                 I N  A S S E M B L Y

                                      (PREFILED)

                                    January 5, 2011
                                      ___________

       Introduced  by  M.  of A. GALEF, PAULIN, THIELE, MENG, KAVANAGH, BARRON,
         MILLMAN,  ORTIZ,  KELLNER,  SPANO,  ROSENTHAL,  BROOK-KRASNY,  JAFFEE,
         LUPARDO,  CALHOUN,  SAYWARD,  BURLING,  CORWIN,  RAIA, GIGLIO, JORDAN,
         TOBACCO, CASTRO, CASTELLI, BUTLER -- Multi-Sponsored by --  M.  of  A.
         AMEDORE, BARCLAY, CONTE, CROUCH, DUPREY, FINCH, HAYES, JEFFRIES, KOLB,
         LATIMER,  LAVINE,  P. LOPEZ,  MAGEE,  MAYERSOHN,  McDONOUGH, McKEVITT,
         MOLINARO, MONTESANO,  MURRAY,  PHEFFER,  RABBITT,  SALADINO,  SCHIMEL,
         TEDISCO  --  read  once  and referred to the Committee on Governmental
         Operations

       AN ACT to amend the legislative  law,  in  relation  to  clarifying  the
         appropriation  and  qualification  of  member items and authorizes the
         legislative ethics commission to review violations of  the  qualifica-
         tion  of member items; and to amend the state finance law, in relation
         to requiring that all member items be fully itemized

         THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

    1    Section 1. The legislative law is amended by adding a new section 54-b
    2  to read as follows:
    3    S  54-B.  MEMBER  ITEMS.  1. AS USED IN THIS SECTION, THE TERM "MEMBER
    4  ITEM" SHALL MEAN A BUDGETARY ALLOCATION AS  FUNDED  BY  THE  LEGISLATIVE
    5  COMMUNITY PROJECTS FUND AS DEFINED IN SECTION NINETY-NINE-T OF THE STATE
    6  FINANCE  LAW,  AND  THE  EXECUTIVE COMMUNITY PROJECTS FUND AS DEFINED IN
    7  SECTION NINETY-NINE-U OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW  AT  THE  DISCRETION  AND
    8  REQUEST  OF  THE GOVERNOR OR A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE FOR A CERTIFIED
    9  TAX-EXEMPT NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTER-
   10  NAL REVENUE CODE IN NEW YORK STATE, A STATE AGENCY,  A  MUNICIPALITY  OR
   11  THEIR AFFILIATED DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE, OR SCHOOL DISTRICT.
   12    2.  MEMBER ITEMS SHALL NOT BE APPROPRIATED WHEN A CONFLICT OF INTEREST
   13  EXISTS BETWEEN THE LEGISLATOR OR GOVERNOR DESIGNATING  THE  MEMBER  ITEM
   14  AND  THE  POTENTIAL  RECIPIENT.  A MEMBER ITEM CANNOT FUND ORGANIZATIONS

        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD00290-01-1
       A. 855                              2

    1  THAT EMPLOY OR OTHERWISE COMPENSATE THE LEGISLATOR OR GOVERNOR, A MEMBER
    2  OF THE LEGISLATOR'S OR GOVERNOR'S FAMILY, ANY PERSON SHARING THE HOME OF
    3  THE LEGISLATOR OR GOVERNOR OR A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATOR'S OR GOVERNOR'S
    4  STAFF  FOR  SERVICES OR LABOR RENDERED. FURTHERMORE, LEGISLATORS AND THE
    5  GOVERNOR SHALL NOT DESIGNATE MEMBER ITEMS IF THE LEGISLATOR OR GOVERNOR,
    6  A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATOR'S OR GOVERNOR'S FAMILY,  ANY  PERSON  SHARING
    7  THE  HOME  OF THE LEGISLATOR OR GOVERNOR OR A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATOR'S
    8  OR GOVERNOR'S STAFF IS INVOLVED WITH THE OPERATIONS OF THE  ORGANIZATION
    9  IN A DECISION-MAKING CAPACITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WORKING ON AN
   10  UNPAID,  VOLUNTEER BASIS OR A MEMBER OF THE DIRECTING BOARD OF AN ORGAN-
   11  IZATION.
   12    3. PRIOR TO THE APPROPRIATION OF MEMBER ITEMS, THE LEGISLATURE SHALL:
   13    (A) PROVIDE THAT EACH MEMBER OF THE SENATE  AND  EACH  MEMBER  OF  THE
   14  ASSEMBLY  RECEIVE  AN  EQUAL  SHARE OF THE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF MEMBER ITEMS
   15  ALLOCATED TO THE RESPECTIVE LEGISLATIVE BODY;
   16    (B) REQUIRE THE LEGISLATOR OR GOVERNOR REQUESTING SUCH MEMBER ITEM  TO
   17  SUBMIT  A  SIGNED  CONFLICT  OF INTEREST FORM ALONG WITH THE MEMBER ITEM
   18  REQUEST FORM TO ENSURE THAT NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST EXISTS. THE LEGISLA-
   19  TOR OR GOVERNOR SHALL DISCLOSE ON THE  CONFLICT  OF  INTEREST  FORM  ALL
   20  POLITICAL  DONATIONS  HE OR SHE IS RECEIVING OR HAS RECEIVED IN THE PAST
   21  FROM THE INTENDED RECIPIENT OF THE MEMBER ITEM FUNDING. SUCH A  CONFLICT
   22  OF  INTEREST  FORM  SHALL  BE SIGNED BY THE LEGISLATOR OR GOVERNOR UNDER
   23  PENALTY OF PERJURY, STATING THAT THE MEMBER ITEM IS NOT  BEING  DIRECTED
   24  IN A MANNER DESCRIBED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION;
   25    (C)  PROVIDE  THAT  ANY  STATE AGENCY THAT PROVIDES FUNDING FOR MEMBER
   26  ITEMS EVALUATE THE SPENDING OF SUCH  MEMBER  ITEM  FUNDS  BY  THE  LOCAL
   27  PROJECT,  ORGANIZATION  OR  OTHER ENTITY RECEIVING SUCH FUNDS. THE STATE
   28  AGENCY SHALL TRACK THE FUNDS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE BEING  SPENT  IN  A
   29  MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE MEMBER ITEM APPLICATION;
   30    (D) ENSURE THAT THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA ARE SATISFIED:
   31    (1)  GRANTS  ARE  TO  BE DESIGNATED FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES.   THE PROGRAM
   32  FUNDED MUST BE OPEN AND AVAILABLE TO ALL INDIVIDUALS ON  A  NONSECTARIAN
   33  BASIS;
   34    (2)  GRANTS  ARE  PROVIDED  IN SUPPORT OF SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES THAT
   35  HAVE STATEWIDE BENEFIT OR BENEFIT LOCAL COMMUNITIES;
   36    (3) GRANTS ARE ONLY DESIGNATED FOR NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, MUNI-
   37  CIPALITIES  OR  THEIR  AFFILIATED  DEPARTMENTS/AGENCIES,   UNIVERSITIES,
   38  COLLEGES, OR SCHOOL DISTRICTS;
   39    (4)  GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE SOLELY FOR ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS CONDUCTED
   40  WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK;
   41    (5) GRANTS ARE NOT TO BE REDISTRIBUTED UNLESS THE GRANT  RECIPIENT  IS
   42  IDENTIFIED  AND  THE GRANT TO THE END RECIPIENT COMPLIES WITH THE CRITE-
   43  RIA;
   44    (6) GRANTS ARE TO BE USED ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE STATED IN  THE  FUNDING
   45  REQUEST;
   46    (7) GRANTS ARE NOT TO BE USED TO FUND LOAN PROGRAMS;
   47    (8)  GRANTS ARE NOT TO BE USED FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES: (A) TO FUND
   48  AN ENTITY IN BANKRUPTCY, RECEIVERSHIP, OR FORECLOSURE OR TO  FUND  LEGAL
   49  OR  ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES RELATED TO BANKRUPTCY, RECEIVERSHIP OR FORE-
   50  CLOSURE PROCEEDINGS; (B) TO PAY FOR  ANY  ARREARS  IN  WORKERS'  COMPEN-
   51  SATION, UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE OR OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS; OR (C) TO PAY
   52  FOR  ANY ARREARS OR CURRENT OBLIGATIONS FOR FEDERAL, STATE, OR MUNICIPAL
   53  TAXES; FOR LOBBYING ACTIVITIES AS DEFINED UNDER SECTION  ONE-C  OF  THIS
   54  CHAPTER AND COMPARABLE SECTIONS OF FEDERAL OR MUNICIPAL LAW;
   55    (9)  GRANTS  ARE  NOT TO BE THE ONLY SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR
   56  THE ORGANIZATION;
       A. 855                              3

    1    (10) GRANT APPLICATIONS SHALL  INCLUDE  A  BRIEF  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE
    2  PROJECT TO BE FUNDED; AND
    3    (11)  GRANTS  SHALL  NOT  BE  USED BY RECIPIENTS TO PAY WAGES OR OTHER
    4  EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.
    5    (E) AT LEAST TWENTY-FOUR HOURS PRIOR TO APPROVAL BY THE LEGISLATURE OF
    6  THE STATE BUDGET, THE LEGISLATURE MUST MAKE PUBLIC WITH RESPECT TO  EACH
    7  MEMBER ITEM, THE MEMBER OF THE SENATE, THE MEMBER OF THE ASSEMBLY OR THE
    8  GOVERNOR  SPONSORING  THE  MEMBER  ITEM, THE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF THE MEMBER
    9  ITEM TO BE APPROPRIATED, AND THE NAME OF THE LOCAL PROJECT, ORGANIZATION
   10  OR OTHER ENTITY RECEIVING SUCH MEMBER ITEM. SUCH PUBLICATION SHALL, AT A
   11  MINIMUM, BE MADE ON THE WEBSITE OF EACH HOUSE OF THE  LEGISLATURE  IN  A
   12  MANNER THAT IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE.
   13    4.  ALL  MEMBER ITEM ALLOCATION RECIPIENTS SHALL PROVIDE CERTIFICATION
   14  OF PROPER USE OF FUNDS RECEIVED.  FOR  ALLOCATIONS  TOTALING  LESS  THAN
   15  FIFTY  THOUSAND  DOLLARS, A DULY AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MEMBER
   16  ITEM RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION SHALL ATTEST UNDER PENALTY OF  PERJURY  THAT
   17  THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION ACTUALLY SPENT THE MEMBER ITEM GRANT MONEY IN
   18  THE  MANNER  AND  FOR  THE  PURPOSES DESIGNATED IN ITS APPLICATION FOR A
   19  MEMBER ITEM ALLOCATION. FOR ALLOCATIONS TOTALING MORE THAN  FIFTY  THOU-
   20  SAND DOLLARS, A DULY AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MEMBER ITEM RECIP-
   21  IENT ORGANIZATION SHALL ATTEST UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY THAT THE RECIPI-
   22  ENT  ORGANIZATION  ACTUALLY  SPENT  THE  MEMBER  ITEM GRANT MONEY IN THE
   23  MANNER AND FOR THE PURPOSES DESIGNATED IN ITS APPLICATION FOR  A  MEMBER
   24  ITEM ALLOCATION AND SHALL FILE A FINAL REPORT, UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY,
   25  DETAILING  THE EXPENDITURES. SUCH REPORT SHALL BE SUBMITTED BY MAY THIR-
   26  TY-FIRST OF THE CALENDAR YEAR FOLLOWING THE CALENDAR YEAR IN  WHICH  THE
   27  MEMBER  ITEM WAS ALLOCATED AND SHALL FOLLOW THE REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED
   28  BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. NO FUTURE MEMBER ITEM GRANTS SHALL BE  APPROVED
   29  FOR  AN  ORGANIZATION  WHICH HAS PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED A MEMBER ITEM ALLO-
   30  CATION UNTIL SUCH DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN SIGNED AND RECEIVED BY THE  OFFICE
   31  OF THE NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
   32    5.  PRIOR  TO  SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR A MEMBER ITEM ALLOCATION,
   33  EACH ORGANIZATION SEEKING A MEMBER ITEM ALLOCATION MUST MEET  PRE-CERTI-
   34  FICATION  STANDARDS  AS  ESTABLISHED BY THE OFFICE OF THE NEW YORK STATE
   35  ATTORNEY GENERAL. AT A MINIMUM, THOSE STANDARDS SHALL REQUIRE  THAT  THE
   36  ORGANIZATION   SEEKING   PRE-CERTIFICATION  IS  A  CERTIFIED  TAX-EXEMPT
   37  NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL  REVENUE
   38  CODE  IN  NEW YORK STATE, A STATE AGENCY, A MUNICIPALITY OR THEIR AFFIL-
   39  IATED DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE, OR  SCHOOL  DISTRICT  CAPABLE  OF
   40  ACCEPTING POTENTIAL FUNDING AND THAT SUCH ENTITY IS NOT IN BANKRUPTCY OR
   41  ARREARS  ON ANY OBLIGATIONS. IF AN ORGANIZATION HAS RECEIVED MEMBER ITEM
   42  FUNDING IN THE  PAST,  THE  ORGANIZATION  SHALL  ALSO  COMPLY  WITH  THE
   43  REQUIREMENTS  OF  SUBDIVISION  FOUR OF THIS SECTION. NO APPLICATION FROM
   44  ANY ORGANIZATION SHALL BE CONSIDERED BY A LEGISLATOR UNTIL THE OFFICE OF
   45  THE NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY  GENERAL  HAS  CERTIFIED  SUCH  ORGANIZATION
   46  BASED UPON THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THIS SUBDIVISION AND UPON ANY ADDI-
   47  TIONAL REGULATORY STANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
   48    6.  ANY  STATE  AGENCY  THAT  PROVIDES  FUNDING FOR MEMBER ITEMS SHALL
   49  REVIEW MEMBER ITEM SPENDING ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AND  PERIODICALLY  REVIEW
   50  GRANT RECIPIENTS' USE OF GRANT MONEY.
   51    7.  ANY MEMBER ITEM APPROPRIATED BY THE LEGISLATURE SHALL BE SET FORTH
   52  SEPARATELY AND APART FROM EVERY OTHER MEMBER ITEM IN THE STATE BUDGET IN
   53  ORDER TO CLEARLY IDENTIFY EACH LEGISLATOR'S OR GOVERNOR'S REQUEST.
   54    8. ANY VIOLATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL  BE  REFERRED
   55  TO   THE   LEGISLATIVE   ETHICS  COMMISSION  OR  ITS  SUCCESSOR  ENTITY.
   56  COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE FAILURE OF AN ALLOCATION OR  USE  OF  A  MEMBER
       A. 855                              4

    1  ITEM TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS CHAPTER SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO
    2  (A) THE LEGISLATIVE ETHICS COMMISSION WITH REGARD TO A MEMBER ITEM ALLO-
    3  CATION  MADE AT THE DISCRETION OF A LEGISLATOR, OR (B) THE COMMISSION ON
    4  PUBLIC  INTEGRITY  WITH  REGARD  TO A MEMBER ITEM ALLOCATION MADE AT THE
    5  DISCRETION OF THE GOVERNOR. EACH  COMPLAINT  SHALL  BE  INVESTIGATED  IN
    6  ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES AND PROCEDURES OF THE COMMISSION RECEIVING THE
    7  COMPLAINT.
    8    S  2.  Paragraph  1  of subdivision 7 of section 80 of the legislative
    9  law, as amended by chapter 14 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as
   10  follows:
   11    l. Receive and act on complaints  regarding  persons  subject  to  its
   12  jurisdiction  alleging  a  possible violation of SECTION FIFTY-FOUR-B OF
   13  THIS CHAPTER OR section seventy-three, seventy-three-a  or  seventy-four
   14  of  the  public  officers  law,  and  conduct  such  investigations  and
   15  proceedings as are authorized and necessary to carry out the  provisions
   16  of  this section. In connection with such investigations, the commission
   17  may administer oaths or affirmations, subpoena witnesses,  compel  their
   18  attendance  and  require the production of any books or records which it
   19  may deem relevant or material;
   20    S 3. Subdivisions 4 and 5 of section 24 of the state finance  law,  as
   21  added by chapter 1 of the laws of 2007, are amended to read as follows:
   22    4.  Any  appropriation added to such budget bills, pursuant to section
   23  four of article seven of the constitution, shall only  contain  itemized
   24  appropriations  which  shall  not  be  in the form of lump sum appropri-
   25  ations[,] AND SHALL DESIGNATE FOR EACH APPROPRIATION A GRANTEE  OF  SUCH
   26  APPROPRIATION,  and  [provided  further  that] for all non-federal state
   27  operations appropriations, such bill or bills shall only  contain  item-
   28  ized appropriations and shall be made, where practicable, by agency, and
   29  within  each  agency by program and within each program at the following
   30  level of detail and in the following order:
   31    (a) by fund type, which at  a  minimum  shall  include  general  fund,
   32  special  revenue-other  funds,  capital  projects funds and debt service
   33  funds;
   34    (b) for personal service appropriations, separate appropriations shall
   35  be made for regular personal service, temporary  personal  service,  and
   36  holiday and overtime pay;
   37    (c)  for  nonpersonal  service appropriations, separate appropriations
   38  shall be made for supplies and materials, travel, contractual  services,
   39  equipment and fringe benefits, as appropriate.
   40    5.  [Any appropriation added pursuant to section four of article seven
   41  of the constitution without designating a  grantee  shall  be  allocated
   42  only  pursuant to a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees with
   43  the amount to be received by each, or  the  methodology  for  allocating
   44  such  appropriation.  Such  plan shall be subject to the approval of the
   45  chair of the senate finance committee, the chair of  the  assembly  ways
   46  and  means  committee,  and  the  director of the budget, and thereafter
   47  shall be included in a concurrent resolution calling for the expenditure
   48  of such monies, which resolution must be approved by a majority vote  of
   49  all members elected to each house upon a roll call vote.] THE PROVISIONS
   50  OF  THIS  SECTION  SHALL  NOT  PRECLUDE  MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE FROM
   51  COLLABORATING WITH EACH OTHER IN THE SELECTION OF MEMBER ITEMS AND PACK-
   52  AGING THEIR INDIVIDUAL  MEMBER  ITEM  ALLOCATIONS  TOGETHER  WITH  OTHER
   53  MEMBER'S ALLOCATIONS FOR SPECIFIED REGIONAL OR JOINT PROJECTS.
   54    S 4. Section 99-d of the state finance law, as added by chapter 474 of
   55  the laws of 1996, is renumbered section 99-t and the section heading, as
   56  added  by chapter 474 of the laws of 1996, and subdivision 1, as amended
       A. 855                              5

    1  by section 2 of part BB of chapter 686 of the laws of 2003, are  amended
    2  to read as follows:
    3    [Community]  LEGISLATIVE  COMMUNITY  projects fund. 1. There is hereby
    4  established in the joint custody of the comptroller and the commissioner
    5  of taxation and finance a special fund to be known  as  the  LEGISLATIVE
    6  community projects fund. This fund may have separate accounts designated
    7  pursuant  to  a  specific appropriation to such account or pursuant to a
    8  written suballocation plan approved in  a  memorandum  of  understanding
    9  executed  by  the  director  of  the budget, the secretary of the senate
   10  finance committee and the secretary  of  the  assembly  ways  and  means
   11  committee. Such suballocation shall be submitted to the comptroller.
   12    S  5. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 99-u to
   13  read as follows:
   14    S 99-U. EXECUTIVE COMMUNITY PROJECTS FUND. 1. THERE IS  HEREBY  ESTAB-
   15  LISHED  IN  THE JOINT CUSTODY OF THE COMPTROLLER AND THE COMMISSIONER OF
   16  TAXATION AND FINANCE A SPECIAL FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE EXECUTIVE  COMMU-
   17  NITY  PROJECTS  FUND.  THIS  FUND  MAY HAVE SEPARATE ACCOUNTS DESIGNATED
   18  PURSUANT TO A SPECIFIC APPROPRIATION TO SUCH ACCOUNT OR  PURSUANT  TO  A
   19  WRITTEN  SUBALLOCATION  PLAN  APPROVED  IN A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
   20  EXECUTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUDGET,  THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  SENATE
   21  FINANCE  COMMITTEE  AND  THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE ASSEMBLY WAYS AND MEANS
   22  COMMITTEE. SUCH SUBALLOCATION SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE COMPTROLLER.
   23    2. SUCH FUND SHALL CONSIST OF MONIES TRANSFERRED TO SUCH FUND FROM THE
   24  GENERAL FUND/STATE PURPOSES ACCOUNT, OR ANY OTHER MONIES REQUIRED TO  BE
   25  TRANSFERRED  OR  DEPOSITED.  MONIES  MAY  NOT  BE  TRANSFERRED OR LOANED
   26  BETWEEN  THE  ACCOUNTS  OF  THIS  FUND,  UNLESS  SPECIFICALLY  OTHERWISE
   27  PROVIDED  BY  LETTER SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUDGET, BUT ONLY UPON
   28  THE JOINT REQUEST OF THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE FINANCE  COMMITTEE  AND
   29  THE SECRETARY OF THE ASSEMBLY WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.
   30    3.  (A)  AS  REQUIRED  TO MAKE TIMELY PAYMENTS FROM SUCH ACCOUNTS UPON
   31  PRESENTMENT OF PROPER VOUCHERS THEREFOR,  THE  STATE  COMPTROLLER  SHALL
   32  MAKE  TRANSFERS  TO  ANY ACCOUNT IN THIS FUND UP TO THE AMOUNTS ANNUALLY
   33  SPECIFIED FOR TRANSFER TO SUCH ACCOUNT AND IN COMPLIANCE  WITH  SUBDIVI-
   34  SION TWO OF THIS SECTION, BUT ONLY FROM SUCH FUND OR FUNDS AUTHORIZED TO
   35  PROVIDE SUCH TRANSFERS.
   36    (B)  BY  THE  CLOSE OF EACH FISCAL YEAR, ALL REMAINING AMOUNTS NOT YET
   37  TRANSFERRED SHALL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE DESIGNATED  ACCOUNTS  FOR  WHICH
   38  SUCH  TRANSFERS  WERE  AUTHORIZED, UP TO THE TOTAL AMOUNTS SPECIFIED FOR
   39  TRANSFER TO EACH ACCOUNT IN EACH FISCAL  YEAR  AND  IN  COMPLIANCE  WITH
   40  SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION.
   41    4.  NOTWITHSTANDING  SECTION  FORTY  OF  THIS  CHAPTER  OR  ANY  OTHER
   42  PROVISION OF LAW, APPROPRIATIONS OF THIS FUND  SHALL  BE  AVAILABLE  FOR
   43  LIABILITIES  INCURRED  DURING AND AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE FISCAL YEAR FOR
   44  WHICH SUCH APPROPRIATIONS ARE ENACTED, PROVIDED HOWEVER THAT SUCH APPRO-
   45  PRIATIONS SHALL LAPSE ON THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF  SEPTEMBER  FOLLOWING  THE
   46  CLOSE  OF THE FISCAL YEAR, AND NO MONIES SHALL THEREAFTER BE PAID OUT OF
   47  THE STATE TREASURY OR ANY OF ITS FUNDS OR THE FUNDS UNDER ITS MANAGEMENT
   48  PURSUANT TO SUCH APPROPRIATIONS.
   49    5.  THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUDGET SHALL ISSUE A CERTIFICATE  OF  APPROVAL
   50  FOR  ANY  APPROPRIATION  IN  ANY  ACCOUNT OF THIS FUND NO LATER THAN THE
   51  LATER OF SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE ENACTMENT OF SUCH  APPROPRIATION  OR  FIVE
   52  DAYS AFTER THE EXECUTION OF A WRITTEN SUBALLOCATION PLAN PURSUANT TO THE
   53  PROVISIONS  OF  SUBDIVISION  ONE  OF  THIS  SECTION. SUCH APPROVAL SHALL
   54  SATISFY ANY OTHER REQUIREMENT FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL.
   55    6. (A) THE STATE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE  FOR  PAYMENTS  PURSUANT  TO  ANY
   56  CONTRACT,  GRANT  OR  AGREEMENT MADE PURSUANT TO AN APPROPRIATION IN ANY
       A. 855                              6

    1  ACCOUNT OF THIS FUND IF INSUFFICIENT MONIES ARE AVAILABLE  FOR  TRANSFER
    2  TO  SUCH  ACCOUNT  OF  THIS  FUND,  AFTER REQUIRED TRANSFERS PURSUANT TO
    3  SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION. EXCEPT WITH RESPECT  TO,  GRANTS,  OR
    4  AGREEMENTS EXECUTED BY ANY STATE OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, DEPARTMENT, INSTITU-
    5  TION,  COMMISSION,  BOARD,  OR  OTHER  AGENCY  OF THE STATE PRIOR TO THE
    6  EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, ANY CONTRACT, GRANT  OR  AGREEMENT  MADE
    7  PURSUANT  TO  AN  APPROPRIATION  IN  THIS  FUND  SHALL  INCORPORATE THIS
    8  PROVISION AS A TERM OF SUCH CONTRACT, GRANT OR AGREEMENT.
    9    (B) THE EXHAUSTION OF FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR  SUCH  TRANSFERS  SHALL  NOT
   10  PRECLUDE  THE  APPROVAL  OF  CONTRACTS HEREUNDER PURSUANT TO SECTION ONE
   11  HUNDRED TWELVE OF THIS CHAPTER. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER  PROVISION  OF
   12  LAW,  INTEREST  SHALL  NOT BE DUE TO ANY RECIPIENT FOR ANY LATE PAYMENTS
   13  MADE FROM THIS FUND WHICH RESULT FROM INSUFFICIENT MONIES  BEING  AVAIL-
   14  ABLE IN AN ACCOUNT OF THIS FUND.
   15    7.  MONIES SHALL BE PAID OUT OF SUCH ACCOUNTS ON THE AUDIT AND WARRANT
   16  OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER ON VOUCHERS CERTIFIED OR APPROVED BY  THE  HEAD
   17  OF THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY.
   18    S 6. This act does not preclude either house of the legislature or the
   19  governor  from  adopting more stringent standards through its own guide-
   20  lines or through the application process.
   21    S 7. Member item grants shall continue to be subject to review by  the
   22  respective  assembly  and  senate fiscal and counsel staffs, division of
   23  the budget, the administering state agency,  the  office  of  the  state
   24  comptroller, and the office of the attorney general. Nothing in this act
   25  shall  limit  the  authority  of  the state comptroller and the attorney
   26  general to review member item grant recipients or member item grants.
   27    S 8. This act shall take effect immediately.
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