S 7311: Prohibits public bodies from conducting an executive session where the subject to be considered relates to the appointment of an elected member or officer to fill a vacancy in an elected office of such public body, including interviews of prospective appointees and related discussions.
What S 7311 does, verified January 8, 2026
The proposed law aims to increase transparency in the appointment process for elected officials in public bodies. It requires meetings related to filling vacancies in public bodies, including interviews and discussions, to be conducted in public and not in executive sessions. This change is intended to ensure that the public has access to information about the appointment process and can hold officials accountable. The law would take effect immediately.
Bill journey
1IntroducedCurrent
2In CommitteePending
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (2026-01-07)Alert me
Quick answers about S 7311
- What is the current status of S 7311?
- As of January 8, 2026, S 7311 is recorded as "Introduced": it has been introduced and is waiting for its first committee hearing or floor vote. The last recorded action, on January 7, 2026, was "REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS".
- Did S 7311 pass?
- Not yet. S 7311 has been introduced and has not passed either house.
- Who wrote S 7311, and where is it now?
- S 7311 was authored by Sen. Shelley Mayer. Its committee of record is Senate Investigation & Government Operations. It is filed under PBO, alongside 82 other New York PBO bills this session.
Author and sponsors
Full contact details, staff, and committees with Connect, $16/moUnlockRecent actions2 total · showing 2
| Jan. 07, 2026 | REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS |
| Apr. 09, 2025 | REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS |
Latest bill textIntroduced version, April 9, 2025 · 238 words
STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 7311 2025-2026 Regular Sessions IN SENATE April 9, 2025 ___________ Introduced by Sen. MAYER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Govern- ment Operations AN ACT to amend the public officers law, in relation to prohibiting executive sessions for the appointment of elected office The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Section 105 of the public officers law is amended by adding 2 a new subdivision 3 to read as follows: 3 3. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, consideration of 4 matters relating to the appointment of a member or officer of a public 5 body to fill a vacancy in such public body caused by reason of the 6 death, resignation, removal from office, or refusal to serve, of any 7 elected member or officer of such public body, including interviews of 8 applicants for appointment to fill such vacancy, and any discussions or 9 deliberations regarding any such appointment, shall be conducted in a 10 meeting open to the public and shall not be conducted in an executive 11 session. 12 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD02611-01-5
Text of S 7311 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions