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Bill

S 3744

Relates to gender balance in public authorities, industrial development agencies and local development corporations

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cordell Cleare and 1 co-sponsor

Summary of S 3744: Gender Balance in Public Authorities Purpose and IntentThis bill aims to promote gender balance and equity on the governing boards of public authorities, industr

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Bill Summary · S 3744

Summary of S 3744: Gender Balance in Public Authorities

Purpose and Intent

This bill aims to promote gender balance and equity on the governing boards of public authorities, industrial development agencies, and local development corporations across the state. It seeks to ensure these important economic and policy-making entities have diverse representation that reflects the gender makeup of the communities they serve.

Key Provisions

  • Requires the governing boards of covered entities (public authorities, IDAs, LDCs) to have a gender composition that is no more than 60% of any one gender.
  • Tasks the heads of these entities with developing and implementing plans to achieve this gender balance within 2 years of the bill's enactment.
  • Mandates public reporting on the gender composition of these boards on an annual basis.
  • Establishes a process for the state to provide guidance, technical assistance, and oversight to help entities comply with the gender balance requirements.
  • Includes provisions allowing for reasonable exceptions or extensions in cases where strict compliance is not immediately feasible.

Affected Entities and Impact

This bill would impact hundreds of public authorities, industrial development agencies, and local development corporations across New York state. These entities play critical roles in economic development, infrastructure projects, and other public functions at the regional and local level.

Ensuring these governing boards have balanced gender representation is intended to lead to more inclusive, representative, and effective decision-making that better serves the needs of all New Yorkers. Supporters argue this will strengthen these entities and the communities they serve.

Timeline and Procedure

S 3744 was introduced in the New York State Senate in October 2024 and has been referred to the Rules Committee. Its companion bill, A 4940, was introduced in the Assembly. This legislation builds on prior efforts to promote gender equity in the governance of public and quasi-public entities in New York.

If enacted, the gender balance requirements would take effect 2 years after the bill becomes law, giving covered entities time to develop and implement their compliance plans.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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