Summary of New York Assembly Bill A 2399
Overview
A 2399 would require that the extension of certain local emergency orders receive approval from the local governing body. In other words, rather than allowing automatic or unilateral renewal by an executive or issuing official, any continued emergency measures would need action (e.g., a vote) by the local legislative body (such as a city council, town board, or county legislature).
Status and actions:
- Introduced: January 16, 2025
- Current status: REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
- Legislative actions: On January 16, 2025, the bill was referred to the Local Governments committee (listed twice in the record)
Sponsors:
- Primary sponsor: Stephen Hawley
- Cosponsors: Brian Manktelow, Chris Tague, Joe DeStefano, Jodi Giglio
Related legislation:
- Companions: S 102 (companion in the Senate)
- Prior-session related bills: A 9342, A 2010
What the bill would change (key provisions)
- Core change: Any extension of local emergency orders would require approval by the local governing body, rather than proceeding by executive action or automatic renewal alone.
- Scope: The provision targets “local emergency orders,” i.e., formal emergency directives issued by local governments in response to declared emergencies.
- Mechanism and timing (details not provided in the available information): The exact process, voting thresholds, sunset provisions, and definitions of what constitutes an extension would be determined by the bill’s text. The summary indicates a shift toward legislative oversight for extensions.
Who would be affected
- Local governments and their senior officials who issue emergency orders (e.g., mayors, county executives) would need to obtain approval from the local governing body to extend orders beyond their initial term.
- The local governing bodies themselves (city councils, town boards, county legislatures) would gain explicit authority to approve or deny extensions.
- Residents and local stakeholders could experience changes in how long emergency measures remain in effect, depending on whether extensions are approved.
Procedural and timeline considerations
- The bill is currently in the Local Governments committee. If advanced, it could move to floor consideration and potentially to passage or further amendments.
- The existence of companion bills (S 102) and prior-session related bills (A 9342, A 2010) suggests ongoing interest in aligning executive emergency powers with legislative oversight across sessions.
Potential impact and implications
- Policy impact: Creates a formal check on the duration of local emergency orders, potentially limiting automatic renewals and ensuring legislative review.
- Operational impact: Local governments may need to plan for periodic legislative review of emergency measures and may experience delays or changes in how quickly extensions can be enacted.
- Public accountability: Increased legislative oversight could enhance transparency and accountability in the continuation of emergency powers.
If you’d like, I can pull the full bill text for detailed provisions (definitions, voting thresholds, exceptions, and sunset clauses) or track updates as the bill progresses.
