New York Assembly Bill A03805

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/25
• Refer: 1/30/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Authorizes the public to participate in public meetings in person or remotely through the use of a telephone conference, a video conference, and/or other similar technology.

Summary

This bill would amend New York’s Public Officers Law and Public Buildings Law to expand public access to meetings of public bodies. It requires that any open meeting of a public body allow the public to participate either in person or remotely, including by telephone conference, video conference, or similar technology. The bill also preserves existing rules that meetings open to the public may be photographed, broadcast, webcast, or otherwise recorded and transmitted by audio or video means. In addition, the bill updates terminology in the Public Buildings Law by replacing the older phrase “physically handicapped” with “persons with disabilities.” It keeps the underlying definition of that term largely intact, covering mobility, hearing, sight, and age-related impairments. The bill would take effect immediately if enacted.

Impact

The bill would change state law governing open meetings by creating an affirmative requirement that public bodies provide remote participation options for the public, not just in-person access. It would affect state and local public bodies subject to the Open Meetings Law, as well as the rules they use to manage meeting access, broadcasting, and orderly conduct. It also modernizes disability-related language in the Public Buildings Law without substantially changing the substantive categories covered by the definition.

Sentiment

The bill’s stated purpose suggests a generally pro-access and transparency orientation, with an emphasis on expanding public participation in government meetings and updating outdated terminology. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of opposition or support from debate or roll call history. Based on the text alone, the measure appears aimed at broadening access rather than restricting it.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the mandate that public bodies allow remote participation, which could raise administrative, technical, cost, and procedural concerns for local governments and other public bodies. Questions may also arise about how to preserve orderly meetings, verify participation, and manage disruptions when the public joins remotely. The terminology update from “physically handicapped” to “persons with disabilities” is less likely to be controversial, though it reflects a broader policy shift toward modernized and inclusive language.