The New York state legislature has passed a bill aimed at increasing transparency around emergency state contracts.
The bill mandates that contracts that bypass the State Comptroller’s office for approval in emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or due to legislative action, must be posted on the procuring agency’s website.
Supporters say this legislation transcends partisan lines and aims to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and fairly.
The proposed law stipulates that information regarding emergency contracts be posted online within 24 hours of the contract’s signing.
While this bill does not alter the purpose of an emergency order, it aims to make the process more transparent and accessible to the public, according to Cooney.
Currently, Governor Kathy Hochul’s office has stated that the legislation is under review. Should the bill be signed into law, it would take effect 30 days post-signature. This move towards greater transparency is supported by New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.
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