S 5282: Establishes a joint legislative committee on racial equity in New York state to review and prepare a racial equity impact assessment on all legislation that is reported favorably to both houses of the legislature.

  
  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 5282 2025-2026 Regular Sessions  IN SENATE February 20, 2025 ___________ Introduced by Sens. SEPULVEDA, RIVERA, SALAZAR -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investi- gations and Government Operations AN ACT relating to establishing a joint legislative committee on racial equity in New York state The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. a. There is hereby created the joint legislative committee 2 on racial equity in New York state. The committee shall provide a racial 3 equity impact assessment on all legislation that is favorably reported 4 from both houses of the legislature. The committee shall solicit input 5 from members of the public, especially those individuals with expertise 6 related to racial equity issues, to aid the committee in its work. 7 b. The committee shall consist of the majority leaders and minority 8 leaders from both houses of the legislature, ten members appointed by 9 the temporary president of the senate and ten members appointed by the 10 speaker of the assembly who are representative of the racial diversity 11 that exists in New York state. Any vacancies occurring among the members 12 of the committee shall be filled in the manner of the original appoint- 13 ment. 14 c. The committee shall (1) prepare a racial equity impact assessment 15 on all legislation that is reported favorably to both houses of the 16 legislature to minimize unanticipated adverse consequences by utilizing 17 resources that have a: (i) history of expertise and positive outcomes 18 in racial equity; and (ii) a deep understanding of ameliorating 19 disproportionate outcomes and unintended costs; (2) hold a hearing on 20 any matter relating to the functions of the committee; (3) identify 21 state policies and actions that, in conjunction with public and private 22 partners and in support of racial equity, can work to achieve conditions 23 of such; (4) review and make recommendations to align state statutes, 24 regulations, programs, services and budgetary priorities; (5) search for EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD09890-01-5 
 S. 5282 2 1 any interdepartmental gaps, inconsistencies and inefficiencies in the 2 implementation or attainment of the state policies and actions; (6) 3 identify any new laws, regulations, programs, services, and budgetary 4 priorities that are needed to ensure and promote desired conditions of 5 racial equity; (7) serve as an informational resource for the legisla- 6 ture; and (8) perform other activities, including public outreach. 7 d. The committee shall have the same powers as other standing or 8 select committees of the legislature. 9 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.