RESOLUTION NO. 319
CREATING A SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON RULES REVIEW AND LEGISLATIVE MODERNIZATION
Introduced: 9/13/21
By Messrs. A. Joyce, Feeney, Mss. Willingham, Lekakis, Messrs. Kuhn, Perlee, Grimm and Miller:
WHEREAS, Since March of 2020, the Albany County Legislature, as well as the world, has been forced to adapt to a changing landscape when it comes to the organization of it meetings, and
WHEREAS, While the Albany County Legislature succeeded in its adjustment to remote meetings during the Governor's Emergency Declaration and temporary suspension of certain provisions of the Open Meetings Law, the body never formally modified its rules to comply with the new landscape, and
WHEREAS, On September 1, 2021, the State Legislature passed a temporary suspension of certain provisions of the Open Meetings lasting until January 15, 2022, and
WHEREAS, The Rules of the Legislature should be amended to address the ability to hold remote meetings consistent with state law, and
WHEREAS, The Albany County Legislature has adopted measures and committed resources towards the modernization of our processes, improving communication between legislative staff and county departments, reducing the amount of paper being used, and
WHEREAS, A Special Committee should be impaneled to evaluate and make recommendations to this Honorable Body concerning the numerous issues involved in handling meetings in a remote setting, and how the Rules of Legislative Order should be amended to account for the recent modernization of our processes, now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, By This Honorable Body that a Special Rules Review and Legislative Modernization Committee is created to evaluate and make recommendations regarding all aspects of our modernization efforts and establish policies consistent with State law related to remote meetings, and be it further
RESOLVED, That said Committee shall consist of nine members, and the Chairperson of the County Legislature shall fill such appointments from t...
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