Bill Text: NY S07721 | 2013-2014 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Enacts the "port authority of New York and New Jersey transparency and accountability act of 2014"; relates to the functioning of the port authority as an open, transparent and accountable interstate public authority.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-06-18 - SUBSTITUTED BY A3944C [S07721 Detail]
Download: New_York-2013-S07721-Introduced.html
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K ________________________________________________________________________ 7721 I N S E N A T E June 2, 2014 ___________ Introduced by Sens. LANZA, GOLDEN, RANZENHOFER, PERKINS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions AN ACT to amend chapter 154 of the laws of 1921, relating to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and to amend the public officers law, in relation to enacting the "port authority of New York and New Jersey transparency and accountability act of 2014" and in relation to the functioning of the port authority as an open, transparent and accountable interstate public authority THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM- BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: 1 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as 2 the "port authority of New York and New Jersey transparency and account- 3 ability act of 2014". 4 S 2. Article IV of section 1 of chapter 154 of the laws of 1921, 5 relating to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, as amended by 6 chapter 419 of the laws of 1930, is amended to read as follows: 7 ARTICLE IV 8 S 1. COMMISSIONERS. The port authority shall consist of twelve commis- 9 sioners, six resident voters from the state of New York, at least four 10 of whom shall be resident voters of the city of New York, and six resi- 11 dent voters from the state of New Jersey, at least four of whom shall be 12 resident voters within the New Jersey portion of the district, the New 13 York members to be chosen by the state of New York and the New Jersey 14 members by the state of New Jersey in the manner and for the terms fixed 15 and determined from time to time by the legislature of each state 16 respectively, except as herein provided. Each commissioner may be 17 removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state 18 from which he shall be appointed. 19 S 2. ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMMISSIONERS. A. COMMISSIONERS 20 SHALL (1) EXECUTE DIRECT OVERSIGHT OF THE AUTHORITY'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE 21 AND OTHER MANAGEMENT IN THE EFFECTIVE AND ETHICAL MANAGEMENT OF THE 22 AUTHORITY; (2) UNDERSTAND, REVIEW AND MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 23 FUNDAMENTAL FINANCIAL AND MANAGEMENT CONTROLS AND OPERATIONAL DECISIONS EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD05559-15-4 S. 7721 2 1 OF THE AUTHORITY; (3) ESTABLISH POLICIES REGARDING THE PAYMENT OF SALA- 2 RY, COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENTS TO, AND ESTABLISH RULES FOR THE TIME 3 AND ATTENDANCE OF, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND MANAGEMENT; (4) ADOPT A CODE 4 OF ETHICS APPLICABLE TO EACH OFFICER, DIRECTOR AND EMPLOYEE THAT, AT A 5 MINIMUM, INCLUDES THE APPLICABLE STANDARDS ESTABLISHED IN THE ETHICS LAW 6 OF BOTH STATES; (5) ESTABLISH WRITTEN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ON PERSON- 7 NEL INCLUDING POLICIES PROTECTING EMPLOYEES FROM RETALIATION FOR 8 DISCLOSING INFORMATION CONCERNING ACTS OF WRONGDOING, MISCONDUCT, 9 MALFEASANCE, OR OTHER INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR BY AN EMPLOYEE OR BOARD 10 MEMBER OF THE AUTHORITY, INVESTMENTS, TRAVEL, THE ACQUISITION OF REAL 11 PROPERTY AND THE DISPOSITION OF REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY AND THE 12 PROCUREMENT OF GOODS AND SERVICES; AND (6) ADOPT A DEFENSE AND INDEMNI- 13 FICATION POLICY AND DISCLOSE SUCH PLAN TO ANY AND ALL PROSPECTIVE BOARD 14 MEMBERS. 15 B. (1) THE COMMISSIONERS SHALL PERFORM EACH OF THEIR DUTIES AS BOARD 16 MEMBERS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THOSE IMPOSED BY THIS SECTION, 17 IN GOOD FAITH AND WITH THAT DEGREE OF DILIGENCE, CARE AND SKILL WHICH AN 18 ORDINARILY PRUDENT PERSON IN LIKE POSITION WOULD USE UNDER SIMILAR 19 CIRCUMSTANCES, AND MAY TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE VIEWS AND POLICIES OF 20 ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL OR BODY, OR OTHER PERSON AND ULTIMATELY APPLY INDE- 21 PENDENT JUDGMENT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PORT AUTHORITY, ITS MISSION 22 AND THE PUBLIC. 23 (2) AT THE TIME THAT A COMMISSIONER TAKES AND SUBSCRIBES HIS OR HER 24 OATH OF OFFICE, OR WITHIN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS 25 PARAGRAPH IF THE COMMISSIONER HAS ALREADY TAKEN AND SUBSCRIBED HIS OR 26 HER OATH OF OFFICE, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL EXECUTE AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT, IN 27 A FORM DEVELOPED BY THE PORT AUTHORITY, IN WHICH THE COMMISSIONER SHALL, 28 AT A MINIMUM: 29 (I) ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HE OR SHE UNDERSTANDS THAT A COMMISSIONER HAS A 30 FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION TO PERFORM DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE BEST 31 OF HIS OR HER ABILITIES, IN GOOD FAITH AND WITH PROPER DILIGENCE AND 32 CARE, CONSISTENT WITH THE ENABLING COMPACT, MISSION, AND BY-LAWS OF THE 33 PORT AUTHORITY AND THE APPLICABLE LAWS OF BOTH STATES; AND THAT THE 34 FIDUCIARY DUTY TO THE PORT AUTHORITY IS DERIVED FROM AND GOVERNED BY ITS 35 MISSION; 36 (II) ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HE OR SHE UNDERSTANDS HIS OR HER DUTY OF LOYALTY 37 AND CARE TO THE AUTHORITY AND COMMITMENT TO THE PORT AUTHORITY'S MISSION 38 AND THE PUBLIC INTEREST; AND HIS OR HER OBLIGATION TO ACT IN THE BEST 39 INTERESTS OF THE PORT AUTHORITY AND THE PEOPLE WHOM THE PORT AUTHORITY 40 SERVES; 41 (III) AGREE THAT A COMMISSIONER HAS AN OBLIGATION TO BECOME KNOWLEDGE- 42 ABLE ABOUT THE MISSION, PURPOSE, FUNCTIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND STATU- 43 TORY DUTIES OF THE PORT AUTHORITY AND, WHEN NECESSARY, TO MAKE REASON- 44 ABLE INQUIRY OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS WITH KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE SO AS 45 TO INFORM HIS OR HER DECISIONS; 46 (IV) AGREE TO EXERCISE INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT ON ALL MATTERS BEFORE THE 47 BOARD; 48 (V) AGREE NOT TO DIVULGE CONFIDENTIAL DISCUSSIONS AND CONFIDENTIAL 49 MATTERS THAT COME BEFORE THE BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION OR ACTION; 50 (VI) AGREE TO DISCLOSE TO THE BOARD ANY CONFLICTS, OR THE APPEARANCE 51 OF A CONFLICT, OF A PERSONAL, FINANCIAL, ETHICAL, OR PROFESSIONAL NATURE 52 THAT COULD INHIBIT THE COMMISSIONER FROM PERFORMING HIS OR HER DUTIES IN 53 GOOD FAITH AND WITH DUE DILIGENCE AND CARE; AND 54 (VII) CERTIFY THAT HE OR SHE DOES NOT HAVE ANY INTEREST, FINANCIAL OR 55 OTHERWISE, DIRECT OR INDIRECT, OR ENGAGE IN ANY BUSINESS OR TRANSACTION 56 OR PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY OR INCUR ANY OBLIGATION OF ANY NATURE, WHICH IS S. 7721 3 1 IN SUBSTANTIAL CONFLICT WITH THE PROPER DISCHARGE OF THE COMMISSIONER'S 2 DUTIES IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. 3 C. INDIVIDUALS APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SHALL PARTIC- 4 IPATE IN TRAINING APPROVED BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE PORT AUTHORI- 5 TY REGARDING THEIR LEGAL, FIDUCIARY, FINANCIAL AND ETHICAL RESPONSIBIL- 6 ITIES AS DIRECTORS OF AN AUTHORITY WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF APPOINTMENT TO 7 THE AUTHORITY. BOARD MEMBERS SHALL PARTICIPATE IN CONTINUING TRAINING AS 8 MAY BE REQUIRED TO REMAIN INFORMED OF BEST PRACTICES, REGULATORY AND 9 STATUTORY CHANGES RELATING TO THE EFFECTIVE OVERSIGHT OF THE MANAGEMENT 10 AND FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES OF PUBLIC AUTHORITIES AND TO ADHERE TO THE 11 HIGHEST STANDARDS OF RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE. 12 D. NO BOARD MEMBER, INCLUDING THE CHAIRPERSON, SHALL SERVE AS THE PORT 13 AUTHORITY'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHIEF FINANCIAL 14 OFFICER, COMPTROLLER, OR HOLD ANY OTHER EQUIVALENT POSITION WHILE SERV- 15 ING AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD. 16 E. THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SHALL ESTABLISH AN AUDIT COMMITTEE TO BE 17 COMPRISED OF NOT LESS THAN THREE INDEPENDENT MEMBERS, WHO SHALL CONSTI- 18 TUTE A MAJORITY ON THE COMMITTEE, AND WHO SHALL POSSESS THE NECESSARY 19 SKILLS TO UNDERSTAND THE DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE; 20 PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN THE EVENT THAT A BOARD HAS LESS THAN THREE 21 INDEPENDENT MEMBERS, THE BOARD MAY APPOINT NON-INDEPENDENT MEMBERS TO 22 THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, PROVIDED THAT THE INDEPENDENT MEMBERS MUST CONSTI- 23 TUTE A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. MEMBERS OF THE 24 AUDIT COMMITTEE SHALL BE FAMILIAR WITH CORPORATE FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNT- 25 ING PRACTICES. THE COMMITTEE SHALL RECOMMEND TO THE BOARD THE HIRING OF 26 A CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTING FIRM TO AUDIT THE PORT AUTHORITY, 27 ESTABLISH THE COMPENSATION TO BE PAID TO THE ACCOUNTING FIRM AND PROVIDE 28 DIRECT OVERSIGHT OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDIT PERFORMED 29 BY THE ACCOUNTING FIRM HIRED FOR SUCH PURPOSES. 30 F. (1) THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SHALL ESTABLISH A GOVERNANCE COMMIT- 31 TEE TO BE COMPRISED OF NOT LESS THAN THREE INDEPENDENT MEMBERS, WHO 32 SHALL CONSTITUTE A MAJORITY ON THE COMMITTEE, AND WHO SHALL POSSESS THE 33 NECESSARY SKILLS TO UNDERSTAND THE DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE GOVER- 34 NANCE COMMITTEE; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN THE EVENT THAT A BOARD HAS 35 LESS THAN THREE INDEPENDENT MEMBERS, THE BOARD MAY APPOINT NON-INDEPEN- 36 DENT MEMBERS TO THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE, PROVIDED THAT THE INDEPENDENT 37 MEMBERS MUST CONSTITUTE A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNANCE 38 COMMITTEE. IT SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVER- 39 NANCE COMMITTEE TO KEEP THE BOARD INFORMED OF CURRENT BEST GOVERNANCE 40 PRACTICES; TO REVIEW CORPORATE GOVERNANCE TRENDS; TO RECOMMEND UPDATES 41 TO THE AUTHORITY'S CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES; TO ADVISE THE PORT 42 AUTHORITY ON THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES REQUIRED OF POTENTIAL BOARD 43 MEMBERS; TO EXAMINE ETHICAL AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST ISSUES; TO PERFORM 44 BOARD SELF-EVALUATIONS; AND TO RECOMMEND BY-LAWS WHICH INCLUDE RULES AND 45 PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCT OF BOARD BUSINESS. 46 (2) THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE SHALL EXAMINE, AT LEAST ANNUALLY, THE 47 WORKING AND PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMPLOYEES APPOINTED BY THE 48 GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK AND THOSE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY 49 TO ENSURE MAXIMUM COMMUNICATION, COORDINATION AND COOPERATION AMONG AND 50 BETWEEN SUCH EMPLOYEES. THE COMMITTEE SHALL REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND 51 RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE FULL BOARD AT THE FIRST BOARD MEETING OF EACH 52 CALENDAR YEAR. 53 G. THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SHALL ESTABLISH A FINANCE COMMITTEE TO 54 BE COMPRISED OF NOT LESS THAN THREE INDEPENDENT MEMBERS, WHO SHALL 55 CONSTITUTE A MAJORITY ON THE COMMITTEE, AND WHO SHALL POSSESS THE NECES- 56 SARY SKILLS TO UNDERSTAND THE DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE; S. 7721 4 1 PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN THE EVENT THAT A BOARD HAS LESS THAN THREE 2 INDEPENDENT MEMBERS, THE BOARD MAY APPOINT NON-INDEPENDENT MEMBERS TO 3 THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, PROVIDED THAT THE INDEPENDENT MEMBERS MUST 4 CONSTITUTE A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. IT SHALL 5 BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW 6 PROPOSALS FOR THE ISSUANCE OF DEBT BY THE AUTHORITY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 7 AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS. 8 H. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, AN INDEPENDENT MEMBER IS ONE WHO: 9 (1) IS NOT, AND IN THE PAST TWO YEARS HAS NOT BEEN, EMPLOYED BY THE 10 PORT AUTHORITY OR AN AFFILIATE IN AN EXECUTIVE CAPACITY; 11 (2) IS NOT, AND IN THE PAST TWO YEARS HAS NOT BEEN, EMPLOYED BY AN 12 ENTITY THAT RECEIVED REMUNERATION VALUED AT MORE THAN FIFTEEN THOUSAND 13 DOLLARS FOR GOODS AND SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE PORT AUTHORITY OR 14 RECEIVED ANY OTHER FORM OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE VALUED AT MORE THAN 15 FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE PORT AUTHORITY; 16 (3) IS NOT A RELATIVE OF AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE IN AN EXECU- 17 TIVE POSITION OF THE PORT AUTHORITY OR AN AFFILIATE; AND 18 (4) IS NOT, AND IN THE PAST TWO YEARS HAS NOT BEEN, A LOBBYIST REGIS- 19 TERED UNDER A STATE OR LOCAL LAW AND PAID BY A CLIENT TO INFLUENCE THE 20 MANAGEMENT DECISIONS, CONTRACT AWARDS, RATE DETERMINATIONS OR ANY OTHER 21 SIMILAR ACTIONS OF THE PORT AUTHORITY OR AN AFFILIATE. 22 I. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL OR LOCAL LAW, 23 MUNICIPAL CHARTER OR ORDINANCE TO THE CONTRARY, THE BOARD SHALL NOT, 24 DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, INCLUDING THROUGH ANY SUBSIDIARY, EXTEND OR 25 MAINTAIN CREDIT, ARRANGE FOR THE EXTENSION OF CREDIT, OR RENEW AN EXTEN- 26 SION OF CREDIT, IN THE FORM OF A PERSONAL LOAN TO OR FOR ANY OFFICER, 27 BOARD MEMBER OR EMPLOYEE, OR EQUIVALENT THEREOF, OF THE PORT AUTHORITY. 28 J. (1) A BOARD MEMBER SHALL NOT VOTE ON OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY BOARD OR 29 COMMITTEE DISCUSSIONS WITH RESPECT TO ANY AGENDA ITEM IF THE BOARD 30 MEMBER, A MEMBER OF THE BOARD MEMBER'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY, OR A BUSINESS 31 ORGANIZATION IN WHICH THE BOARD MEMBER HAS AN INTEREST, HAS A DIRECT OR 32 INDIRECT FINANCIAL INVOLVEMENT THAT MAY REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO IMPAIR 33 THE BOARD MEMBER'S OBJECTIVITY OR INDEPENDENCE OF JUDGMENT OR TO CREATE 34 THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY. SUCH BOARD MEMBER SHALL BE RECUSED FROM 35 ANY DISCUSSIONS OR VOTING ON THE AGENDA ITEM. A BOARD MEMBER SHALL 36 CLEARLY INDICATE THE BOARD MEMBER'S RECUSAL FROM VOTING ON AN AGENDA 37 ITEM AND THE MINUTES SHALL CLEARLY REFLECT THAT RECUSAL. 38 (2) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE TERMS: 39 (A) "IMMEDIATE FAMILY" SHALL MEAN: A SPOUSE, DOMESTIC PARTNER, PARTNER 40 IN A CIVIL UNION, SON, DAUGHTER, GRANDSON, GRANDDAUGHTER, FATHER, MOTH- 41 ER, GRANDFATHER, GRANDMOTHER, GREAT-GRANDFATHER, GREAT-GRANDMOTHER, 42 BROTHER, SISTER, NEPHEW, NIECE, UNCLE OR AUNT. RELATIVES BY ADOPTION, 43 HALF-BLOOD, MARRIAGE OR REMARRIAGE SHALL BE TREATED AS RELATIVES OF THE 44 WHOLE KINSHIP; AND 45 (B) "INTEREST" SHALL MEAN: (I) IF THE BUSINESS ORGANIZATION IS A PART- 46 NERSHIP, THE BOARD MEMBER OR THE BOARD MEMBER'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY IS A 47 PARTNER OR OWNER OF 10 PERCENT OR MORE OF THE ASSETS OF THE PARTNERSHIP, 48 OR (II) IF THE BUSINESS ORGANIZATION IS A CORPORATION, THE BOARD MEMBER 49 OR THE BOARD MEMBER'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY OWNS OR CONTROLS 10 PERCENT OR 50 MORE OF THE STOCK OF THE CORPORATION, OR SERVES AS A DIRECTOR OR OFFICER 51 OF THE CORPORATION. 52 S 3. Article VII of section 1 of chapter 154 of the laws of 1921, 53 relating to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, is amended to 54 read as follows: 55 ARTICLE VII. S. 7721 5 1 The port authority shall have such additional powers and duties as may 2 hereafter be delegated to or imposed upon it from time to time by the 3 action of the legislature of either state concurred in by the legisla- 4 ture of the other. Unless and until otherwise provided, it shall make an 5 annual report to the legislature of both states PURSUANT TO SECTION 6 THREE OF ARTICLE VII-B OF THIS ACT, setting forth in detail the oper- 7 ations and transactions conducted by it pursuant to this agreement and 8 any legislation thereunder. The port authority shall not pledge the 9 credit of either state except by and with the authority of the legisla- 10 ture thereof. 11 S 4. Chapter 154 of the laws of 1921, relating to the Port Authority 12 of New York and New Jersey, is amended by adding two new articles VII-B 13 and VII-C to read as follows: 14 ARTICLE VII-B 15 S 1. ADDITIONAL POWERS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. IN ADDITION TO 16 THE POWERS AND DUTIES SET FORTH IN ARTICLE VII OF THIS ACT, THE PORT 17 AUTHORITY SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING POWERS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 18 SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE. 19 S 2. DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY. A. DEFINITIONS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF 20 THIS ARTICLE, UNLESS A DIFFERENT MEANING IS REQUIRED BY THE CONTEXT: 21 (1) "CONTRACTING OFFICER" SHALL MEAN THE OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE 22 PORT AUTHORITY WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF THE 23 PORT AUTHORITY TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY. 24 (2) "DISPOSE" OR "DISPOSAL" SHALL MEAN TRANSFER OF TITLE OR ANY OTHER 25 BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN PERSONAL OR REAL PROPERTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH 26 SUBDIVISION C OF THIS SECTION. 27 (3) "PROPERTY" SHALL MEAN PERSONAL PROPERTY IN EXCESS OF FIVE THOUSAND 28 DOLLARS IN VALUE, REAL PROPERTY, AND ANY INCHOATE OR OTHER INTEREST IN 29 SUCH PROPERTY, TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH INTEREST MAY BE CONVEYED TO 30 ANOTHER PERSON FOR ANY PURPOSE, EXCLUDING AN INTEREST SECURING A LOAN OR 31 OTHER FINANCIAL OBLIGATION OF ANOTHER PARTY. 32 B. DUTIES OF THE PORT AUTHORITY WITH RESPECT TO THE DISPOSAL OF PROP- 33 ERTY. (1) THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL ADOPT BY RESOLUTION COMPREHENSIVE 34 GUIDELINES WHICH SHALL (A) DETAIL THE AUTHORITY'S OPERATIVE POLICY AND 35 INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THE USE, AWARDING, MONITORING AND REPORTING OF 36 CONTRACTS FOR THE DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY, AND (B) DESIGNATE A CONTRACTING 37 OFFICER WHO SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AUTHORITY'S COMPLIANCE WITH, 38 AND ENFORCEMENT OF, SUCH GUIDELINES. SUCH GUIDELINES SHALL BE CONSISTENT 39 WITH, AND SHALL REQUIRE THE AUTHORITY'S CONTRACTING ACTIVITIES TO COMPLY 40 WITH THIS SECTION, THE AUTHORITY'S ENABLING LEGISLATION AND ANY OTHER 41 APPLICABLE LAW FOR THE DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY, EXCEPT THAT SUCH GUIDELINES 42 MAY BE STRICTER THAN THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION, THE AUTHORITY'S 43 ENABLING LEGISLATION AND ANY OTHER APPLICABLE LAW FOR THE DISPOSAL OF 44 PROPERTY IF THE AUTHORITY DETERMINES THAT ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS ARE 45 NECESSARY TO ASSURE THE INTEGRITY OF ITS DISPOSITION ACTIVITIES. GUIDE- 46 LINES APPROVED BY THE AUTHORITY SHALL BE ANNUALLY REVIEWED AND APPROVED 47 BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE AUTHORITY. ON OR BEFORE THE THIR- 48 TY-FIRST DAY OF MARCH IN EACH YEAR, THE AUTHORITY SHALL FILE WITH THE 49 STATE COMPTROLLER OF EACH STATE A COPY OF THE GUIDELINES MOST RECENTLY 50 REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE AUTHORITY, INCLUDING THE NAME OF THE 51 AUTHORITY'S DESIGNATED CONTRACTING OFFICER. AT THE TIME OF FILING SUCH 52 GUIDELINES WITH THE STATE COMPTROLLER, THE AUTHORITY SHALL ALSO POST 53 SUCH GUIDELINES ON THE AUTHORITY'S INTERNET WEBSITE. GUIDELINES POSTED 54 ON THE AUTHORITY'S INTERNET WEBSITE SHALL BE MAINTAINED ON SUCH WEBSITE 55 AT LEAST UNTIL THE PROCUREMENT GUIDELINES FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR ARE 56 POSTED ON SUCH WEBSITE. S. 7721 6 1 (2) THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL: 2 (A) MAINTAIN ADEQUATE INVENTORY CONTROLS AND ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEMS 3 FOR ALL PROPERTY UNDER ITS CONTROL; 4 (B) PERIODICALLY INVENTORY SUCH PROPERTY TO DETERMINE WHICH PROPERTY 5 SHALL BE DISPOSED OF; 6 (C) PRODUCE A WRITTEN REPORT OF SUCH PROPERTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARA- 7 GRAPH THREE OF THIS SUBDIVISION; 8 (D) TRANSFER OR DISPOSE OF SUCH PROPERTY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN 9 ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION C OF THIS SECTION. 10 (3)(A) THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL PUBLISH, NOT LESS FREQUENTLY THAN 11 ANNUALLY, A REPORT LISTING ALL REAL PROPERTY OF THE AUTHORITY. SUCH 12 REPORT SHALL INCLUDE A LIST AND FULL DESCRIPTION OF ALL REAL AND 13 PERSONAL PROPERTY DISPOSED OF DURING SUCH PERIOD. THE REPORT SHALL 14 CONTAIN THE PRICE RECEIVED BY THE AUTHORITY AND THE NAME OF THE PURCHAS- 15 ER FOR ALL SUCH PROPERTY SOLD BY THE AUTHORITY DURING SUCH PERIOD. 16 (B) THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL DELIVER COPIES OF SUCH REPORT TO THE 17 GOVERNOR, STATE COMPTROLLER, AND THE LEGISLATURE OF EACH STATE. 18 C. DISPOSAL OF PORT AUTHORITY PROPERTY. (1) SUPERVISION AND DIRECTION. 19 EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, THE CONTRACTING OFFICER 20 DESIGNATED BY THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL HAVE SUPERVISION AND DIRECTION 21 OVER THE DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY OF THE AUTHORITY. 22 (2) CUSTODY AND CONTROL. THE CUSTODY AND CONTROL OF THE PROPERTY OF 23 THE PORT AUTHORITY, PENDING ITS DISPOSITION, AND THE DISPOSAL OF SUCH 24 PROPERTY, SHALL BE PERFORMED BY THE AUTHORITY. 25 (3) METHOD OF DISPOSITION. SUBJECT TO SUBDIVISION B OF THIS SECTION, 26 THE PORT AUTHORITY MAY DISPOSE OF PROPERTY FOR NOT LESS THAN THE FAIR 27 MARKET VALUE OF SUCH PROPERTY BY SALE, EXCHANGE, OR TRANSFER, FOR CASH, 28 CREDIT, OR OTHER PROPERTY, WITH OR WITHOUT WARRANTY, AND UPON SUCH OTHER 29 TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS THE CONTRACTING OFFICER DEEMS PROPER, AND IT MAY 30 EXECUTE SUCH DOCUMENTS FOR THE TRANSFER OF TITLE OR OTHER INTEREST IN 31 PROPERTY AND TAKE SUCH OTHER ACTION AS IT DEEMS NECESSARY OR PROPER TO 32 DISPOSE OF SUCH PROPERTY UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION. 33 PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT NO DISPOSITION OF REAL PROPERTY, OR ANY INTEREST 34 IN REAL PROPERTY, SHALL BE MADE UNLESS AN APPRAISAL OF THE VALUE OF SUCH 35 PROPERTY HAS BEEN MADE BY AN INDEPENDENT APPRAISER AND INCLUDED IN THE 36 RECORD OF THE TRANSACTION, AND, PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT NO DISPOSITION OF 37 ANY OTHER PROPERTY, WHICH BECAUSE OF ITS UNIQUE NATURE OR THE UNIQUE 38 CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION IS NOT READILY VALUED BY 39 REFERENCE TO AN ACTIVE MARKET FOR SIMILAR PROPERTY, SHALL BE MADE WITH- 40 OUT A SIMILAR APPRAISAL. 41 (4) VALIDITY OF DEED, BILL OF SALE, LEASE, OR OTHER INSTRUMENT. A 42 DEED, BILL OF SALE, LEASE, OR OTHER INSTRUMENT EXECUTED BY OR ON BEHALF 43 OF THE PORT AUTHORITY, PURPORTING TO TRANSFER TITLE OR ANY OTHER INTER- 44 EST IN PROPERTY OF THE AUTHORITY UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE 45 EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION INSOFAR AS 46 CONCERNS TITLE OR OTHER INTEREST OF ANY BONA FIDE GRANTEE OR TRANSFEREE 47 WHO HAS GIVEN VALUABLE CONSIDERATION FOR SUCH TITLE OR OTHER INTEREST 48 AND HAS NOT RECEIVED ACTUAL OR CONSTRUCTIVE NOTICE OF LACK OF SUCH 49 COMPLIANCE PRIOR TO THE CLOSING. 50 (5) BIDS FOR DISPOSAL; ADVERTISING; PROCEDURE; DISPOSAL BY NEGOTI- 51 ATION; EXPLANATORY STATEMENT. (A) ALL DISPOSALS OR CONTRACTS FOR 52 DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY OF THE PORT AUTHORITY MADE OR AUTHORIZED BY THE 53 CONTRACTING OFFICER SHALL BE MADE AFTER PUBLICLY ADVERTISING FOR BIDS 54 EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (C) OF THIS PARAGRAPH. 55 (B) WHENEVER PUBLIC ADVERTISING FOR BIDS IS REQUIRED UNDER SUBPARA- 56 GRAPH (A) OF THIS PARAGRAPH: S. 7721 7 1 (I) THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS SHALL BE MADE AT SUCH TIME PRIOR TO THE 2 DISPOSAL OR CONTRACT, THROUGH SUCH METHODS, AND ON SUCH TERMS AND CONDI- 3 TIONS AS SHALL PERMIT FULL AND FREE COMPETITION CONSISTENT WITH THE 4 VALUE AND NATURE OF THE PROPERTY; 5 (II) ALL BIDS SHALL BE PUBLICLY DISCLOSED AT THE TIME AND PLACE STATED 6 IN THE ADVERTISEMENT; AND 7 (III) THE AWARD SHALL BE MADE WITH REASONABLE PROMPTNESS BY NOTICE TO 8 THE RESPONSIBLE BIDDER WHOSE BID, CONFORMING TO THE INVITATION FOR BIDS, 9 WILL BE MOST ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE PORT AUTHORITY, PRICE AND OTHER FACTORS 10 CONSIDERED; PROVIDED, THAT ALL BIDS MAY BE REJECTED WHEN IT IS IN THE 11 PUBLIC INTEREST TO DO SO. 12 (C) DISPOSALS AND CONTRACTS FOR DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY MAY BE NEGOTIATED 13 OR MADE BY PUBLIC AUCTION WITHOUT REGARD TO SUBPARAGRAPHS (A) AND (B) OF 14 THIS PARAGRAPH BUT SUBJECT TO OBTAINING SUCH COMPETITION AS IS FEASIBLE 15 UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, IF: 16 (I) THE PERSONAL PROPERTY INVOLVED HAS QUALITIES SEPARATE FROM THE 17 UTILITARIAN PURPOSE OF SUCH PROPERTY, SUCH AS ARTISTIC QUALITY, ANTIQUI- 18 TY, HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE, RARITY, OR OTHER QUALITY OF SIMILAR EFFECT, 19 THAT WOULD TEND TO INCREASE ITS VALUE, OR IF THE PERSONAL PROPERTY IS TO 20 BE SOLD IN SUCH QUANTITY THAT, IF IT WERE DISPOSED OF UNDER SUBPARA- 21 GRAPHS (A) AND (B) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE STATE 22 OR LOCAL MARKET FOR SUCH PROPERTY, AND THE ESTIMATED FAIR MARKET VALUE 23 OF SUCH PROPERTY AND OTHER SATISFACTORY TERMS OF DISPOSAL CAN BE 24 OBTAINED BY NEGOTIATION; 25 (II) THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE PROPERTY DOES NOT EXCEED FIFTEEN 26 THOUSAND DOLLARS; 27 (III) BID PRICES AFTER ADVERTISING THEREFOR ARE NOT REASONABLE, EITHER 28 AS TO ALL OR SOME PART OF THE PROPERTY, OR HAVE NOT BEEN INDEPENDENTLY 29 ARRIVED AT IN OPEN COMPETITION; 30 (IV) THE DISPOSAL WILL BE TO THE STATE OR ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION, 31 AND THE ESTIMATED FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE PROPERTY AND OTHER SATISFAC- 32 TORY TERMS OF DISPOSAL ARE OBTAINED BY NEGOTIATION; 33 (V) UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES PERMITTED BY PARAGRAPH SIX OF THIS 34 SUBDIVISION; OR 35 (VI) SUCH ACTION IS OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED BY LAW. 36 (D)(I) AN EXPLANATORY STATEMENT SHALL BE PREPARED OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES 37 OF EACH DISPOSAL BY NEGOTIATION OF: 38 (A) ANY PERSONAL PROPERTY WHICH HAS AN ESTIMATED FAIR MARKET VALUE IN 39 EXCESS OF FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS; 40 (B) ANY REAL PROPERTY THAT HAS AN ESTIMATED FAIR MARKET VALUE IN 41 EXCESS OF ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS, EXCEPT THAT ANY REAL PROPERTY 42 DISPOSED OF BY LEASE OR EXCHANGE SHALL ONLY BE SUBJECT TO SUBCLAUSES (C) 43 AND (D) OF THIS CLAUSE; 44 (C) ANY REAL PROPERTY DISPOSED OF BY LEASE, IF THE ESTIMATED ANNUAL 45 RENT OVER THE TERM OF THE LEASE IS IN EXCESS OF FIFTEEN THOUSAND 46 DOLLARS; 47 (D) ANY REAL PROPERTY OR REAL AND RELATED PERSONAL PROPERTY DISPOSED 48 OF BY EXCHANGE, REGARDLESS OF VALUE, OR ANY PROPERTY ANY PART OF THE 49 CONSIDERATION FOR WHICH IS REAL PROPERTY. 50 (II) EACH SUCH STATEMENT SHALL BE TRANSMITTED TO THE PERSONS ENTITLED 51 TO RECEIVE COPIES OF THE REPORT REQUIRED UNDER SUBDIVISION B OF THIS 52 SECTION NOT LESS THAN NINETY DAYS IN ADVANCE OF SUCH DISPOSAL, AND A 53 COPY THEREOF SHALL BE PRESERVED IN THE FILES OF THE PORT AUTHORITY. 54 (6) DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY FOR LESS THAN FAIR MARKET VALUE. (A) NO ASSET 55 OWNED, LEASED OR OTHERWISE IN THE CONTROL OF THE PORT AUTHORITY MAY BE S. 7721 8 1 SOLD, LEASED, OR OTHERWISE ALIENATED FOR LESS THAN ITS FAIR MARKET VALUE 2 EXCEPT IF: 3 (I) THE TRANSFEREE IS A GOVERNMENT OR OTHER PUBLIC ENTITY, AND THE 4 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE TRANSFER REQUIRE THAT THE OWNERSHIP AND USE 5 OF THE ASSET WILL REMAIN WITH THE GOVERNMENT OR ANY OTHER PUBLIC ENTITY; 6 (II) THE PURPOSE OF THE TRANSFER IS WITHIN THE PURPOSE, MISSION OR 7 GOVERNING STATUTE OF THE PORT AUTHORITY; OR 8 (III) IN THE EVENT THE PORT AUTHORITY SEEKS TO TRANSFER AN ASSET FOR 9 LESS THAN ITS FAIR MARKET VALUE TO OTHER THAN A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY, 10 WHICH DISPOSAL WOULD NOT BE CONSISTENT WITH THE AUTHORITY'S MISSION, 11 PURPOSE OR GOVERNING STATUTES, SUCH AUTHORITY SHALL PROVIDE WRITTEN 12 NOTIFICATION THEREOF TO THE GOVERNOR OF EACH STATE, AND SUCH PROPOSED 13 TRANSFER SHALL BE SUBJECT TO DENIAL BY EITHER GOVERNOR. DENIAL BY THE 14 GOVERNOR SHALL TAKE THE FORM OF A SIGNED CERTIFICATION BY THE GOVERNOR. 15 THE GOVERNOR SHALL TAKE ANY SUCH ACTION WITHIN SIXTY DAYS OF RECEIVING 16 NOTIFICATION OF SUCH PROPOSED TRANSFER. IF NO SUCH CERTIFICATION IS 17 PERFORMED WITHIN SIXTY DAYS OF SUCH NOTIFICATION OF THE PROPOSED TRANS- 18 FER TO THE GOVERNOR, THE AUTHORITY MAY EFFECTUATE SUCH TRANSFER. 19 (B) IN THE EVENT A BELOW FAIR MARKET VALUE ASSET TRANSFER IS PROPOSED, 20 THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION MUST BE PROVIDED TO THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 21 AND THE PUBLIC: 22 (I) A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSET; 23 (II) AN APPRAISAL OF THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE ASSET AND ANY OTHER 24 INFORMATION ESTABLISHING THE FAIR MARKET VALUE SOUGHT BY THE BOARD; 25 (III) A DESCRIPTION OF THE PURPOSE OF THE TRANSFER, AND A REASONABLE 26 STATEMENT OF THE KIND AND AMOUNT OF THE BENEFIT TO THE PUBLIC RESULTING 27 FROM THE TRANSFER, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE KIND, NUMBER, 28 LOCATION, WAGES OR SALARIES OF JOBS CREATED OR PRESERVED AS REQUIRED BY 29 THE TRANSFER, THE BENEFITS, IF ANY, TO THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THE 30 ASSET IS SITUATED AS ARE REQUIRED BY THE TRANSFER; 31 (IV) A STATEMENT OF THE VALUE TO BE RECEIVED COMPARED TO THE FAIR 32 MARKET VALUE; 33 (V) THE NAMES OF ANY PRIVATE PARTIES PARTICIPATING IN THE TRANSFER, 34 AND IF DIFFERENT THAN THE STATEMENT REQUIRED BY CLAUSE (IV) OF THIS 35 SUBPARAGRAPH, A STATEMENT OF THE VALUE TO THE PRIVATE PARTY; AND 36 (VI) THE NAMES OF OTHER PRIVATE PARTIES WHO HAVE MADE AN OFFER FOR 37 SUCH ASSET, THE VALUE OFFERED, AND THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THE ASSET WAS 38 SOUGHT TO BE USED. 39 (C) BEFORE APPROVING THE DISPOSAL OF ANY PROPERTY FOR LESS THAN FAIR 40 MARKET VALUE, THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SHALL CONSIDER THE INFORMATION 41 DESCRIBED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS PARAGRAPH AND MAKE A WRITTEN 42 DETERMINATION THAT THERE IS NO REASONABLE ALTERNATIVE TO THE PROPOSED 43 BELOW-MARKET TRANSFER THAT WOULD ACHIEVE THE SAME PURPOSE OF SUCH TRANS- 44 FER. 45 S 3. ANNUAL REPORT. A. THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL SUBMIT TO THE GOVER- 46 NOR, THE STATE COMPTROLLER AND THE LEGISLATURE OF EACH STATE, WITHIN 47 NINETY DAYS AFTER THE END OF ITS FISCAL YEAR, A COMPLETE AND DETAILED 48 REPORT OR REPORTS SETTING FORTH: (1) ITS OPERATIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS; 49 (2) ITS FINANCIAL REPORTS CERTIFIED BY THE CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR OF THE 50 BOARD; AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CHIEF 51 FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE PORT AUTHORITY, INCLUDING (A) AUDITED FINAN- 52 CIALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES, KNOWN 53 AS GAAP, AND THE ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENTAL 54 ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD, KNOWN AS GASB, (B) GRANT AND SUBSIDY 55 PROGRAMS, (C) OPERATING AND FINANCIAL RISKS, (D) CURRENT RATINGS, IF 56 ANY, OF ITS BONDS ISSUED BY RECOGNIZED BOND RATING AGENCIES AND NOTICE S. 7721 9 1 OF CHANGES IN SUCH RATINGS, AND (E) LONG-TERM LIABILITIES, INCLUDING 2 LEASES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS; (3) A SCHEDULE OF ITS BONDS AND NOTES 3 OUTSTANDING AT THE END OF ITS FISCAL YEAR, TOGETHER WITH A STATEMENT OF 4 THE AMOUNTS REDEEMED AND INCURRED DURING SUCH FISCAL YEAR AS PART OF A 5 SCHEDULE OF DEBT ISSUANCE THAT INCLUDES THE DATE OF ISSUANCE, TERM, 6 AMOUNT, INTEREST RATE AND MEANS OF REPAYMENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE DEBT 7 SCHEDULE SHALL INCLUDE ALL REFINANCINGS, CALLS, REFUNDINGS, DEFEASEMENTS 8 AND INTEREST RATE EXCHANGE OR OTHER SUCH AGREEMENTS, AND FOR ANY DEBT 9 ISSUED DURING THE REPORTING YEAR, THE SCHEDULE SHALL ALSO INCLUDE A 10 DETAILED LIST OF COSTS OF ISSUANCE FOR SUCH DEBT; (4) A COMPENSATION 11 SCHEDULE THAT SHALL INCLUDE, BY POSITION, TITLE AND NAME OF THE PERSON 12 HOLDING SUCH POSITION OR TITLE, THE SALARY, COMPENSATION, ALLOWANCE 13 AND/OR BENEFITS PROVIDED TO ANY OFFICER, DIRECTOR OR EMPLOYEE IN A DECI- 14 SION MAKING OR MANAGERIAL POSITION OF SUCH AUTHORITY WHOSE SALARY IS IN 15 EXCESS OF ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS; (5) BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION, 16 NOT INCLUDING CONFIDENTIAL PERSONAL INFORMATION, FOR ALL DIRECTORS AND 17 OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES FOR WHOM SALARY REPORTING IS REQUIRED; (6) THE 18 PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY SUCH AUTHORITY DURING THE PAST YEAR; (7) A LIST- 19 ING AND DESCRIPTION, IN ADDITION TO THE REPORT REQUIRED BY SUBPARAGRAPH 20 (C) OF PARAGRAPH TWO OF SUBDIVISION B OF SECTION TWO OF THIS ARTICLE, OF 21 ALL REAL PROPERTY OF THE AUTHORITY HAVING AN ESTIMATED FAIR MARKET VALUE 22 IN EXCESS OF FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS THAT THE AUTHORITY ACQUIRES OR 23 DISPOSES OF DURING SUCH PERIOD. THE REPORT SHALL CONTAIN THE PRICE 24 RECEIVED OR PAID BY THE AUTHORITY AND THE NAME OF THE PURCHASER OR SELL- 25 ER FOR ALL SUCH PROPERTY SOLD OR BOUGHT BY THE AUTHORITY DURING SUCH 26 PERIOD; (8) SUCH AUTHORITY'S CODE OF ETHICS; (9) AN ASSESSMENT OF THE 27 EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS INTERNAL CONTROL STRUCTURE AND PROCEDURES; (10) A 28 DESCRIPTION OF THE AUTHORITY AND ITS BOARD STRUCTURE, INCLUDING (A) 29 NAMES OF COMMITTEES AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS, (B) LISTS OF BOARD MEETINGS 30 AND ATTENDANCE, (C) DESCRIPTIONS OF MAJOR AUTHORITY UNITS, SUBSIDIARIES, 31 AND (D) NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES; (11) ITS CHARTER, IF ANY, AND BY-LAWS; (12) 32 A LISTING OF MATERIAL CHANGES IN OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMS DURING THE 33 REPORTING YEAR; (13) AT A MINIMUM A FOUR-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN, INCLUDING 34 (A) A CURRENT AND PROJECTED CAPITAL BUDGET, AND (B) AN OPERATING BUDGET 35 REPORT, INCLUDING AN ACTUAL VERSUS ESTIMATED BUDGET, WITH AN ANALYSIS 36 AND MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL AND OPERATING PERFORMANCE; (14) ITS BOARD 37 PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH EVALUATIONS SHALL 38 NOT BE SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAWS OF 39 EACH STATE; (15) A DESCRIPTION OF THE TOTAL AMOUNTS OF ASSETS, SERVICES 40 OR BOTH ASSETS AND SERVICES BOUGHT OR SOLD WITHOUT COMPETITIVE BIDDING, 41 INCLUDING (A) THE NATURE OF THOSE ASSETS AND SERVICES, (B) THE NAMES OF 42 THE COUNTERPARTIES, AND (C) WHERE THE CONTRACT PRICE FOR ASSETS 43 PURCHASED EXCEEDS FAIR MARKET VALUE, OR WHERE THE CONTRACT PRICE FOR 44 ASSETS SOLD IS LESS THAN FAIR MARKET VALUE, A DETAILED EXPLANATION OF 45 THE JUSTIFICATION FOR MAKING THE PURCHASE OR SALE WITHOUT COMPETITIVE 46 BIDDING, AND A CERTIFICATION BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF 47 FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE PORT AUTHORITY THAT THEY HAVE REVIEWED THE 48 TERMS OF SUCH PURCHASE OR SALE AND DETERMINED THAT IT COMPLIES WITH 49 APPLICABLE LAW AND PROCUREMENT GUIDELINES; AND (16) A DESCRIPTION OF ANY 50 MATERIAL PENDING LITIGATION IN WHICH THE PORT AUTHORITY IS INVOLVED AS A 51 PARTY DURING THE REPORTING YEAR. 52 B. THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL MAKE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC, VIA ITS 53 OFFICIAL OR SHARED INTERNET WEB SITE, DOCUMENTATION PERTAINING TO ITS 54 MISSION, CURRENT ACTIVITIES, MOST RECENT ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS, 55 CURRENT YEAR BUDGET AND ITS MOST RECENT INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT UNLESS S. 7721 10 1 SUCH INFORMATION IS EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE PURSUANT TO EITHER STATE'S 2 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAWS. 3 C. EVERY FINANCIAL REPORT SUBMITTED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE 4 APPROVED BY THE BOARD AND SHALL BE CERTIFIED IN WRITING BY THE CHAIR AND 5 VICE-CHAIR OF THE BOARD; AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DEPUTY EXECUTIVE 6 DIRECTOR AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE PORT AUTHORITY, THAT BASED 7 ON THE OFFICER'S KNOWLEDGE (1) THE INFORMATION PROVIDED THEREIN IS ACCU- 8 RATE, CORRECT AND DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY UNTRUE STATEMENT OF MATERIAL 9 FACT; (2) DOES NOT OMIT ANY MATERIAL FACT WHICH, IF OMITTED, WOULD CAUSE 10 THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO BE MISLEADING IN LIGHT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES 11 UNDER WHICH SUCH STATEMENTS ARE MADE; AND (3) FAIRLY PRESENTS IN ALL 12 MATERIAL RESPECTS THE FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF 13 THE AUTHORITY AS OF, AND FOR, THE PERIODS PRESENTED IN THE FINANCIAL 14 STATEMENTS. 15 S 4. INDEPENDENT AUDITS AND AUDIT REPORTS. A. THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL 16 SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNOR, THE STATE COMPTROLLER, AND THE LEGISLATURE OF 17 EACH STATE, TOGETHER WITH THE REPORT DESCRIBED IN SECTION THREE OF THIS 18 ARTICLE, A COPY OF THE ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT, PERFORMED BY A 19 CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM IN ACCORDANCE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED 20 AUDITING STANDARDS, AND MANAGEMENT LETTER AND ANY OTHER EXTERNAL EXAM- 21 INATION OF THE BOOKS AND ACCOUNTS OF THE AUTHORITY. 22 B. EACH CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM THAT PERFORMS ANY 23 AUDIT REQUIRED BY THIS ARTICLE SHALL TIMELY REPORT TO THE AUDIT COMMIT- 24 TEE OF SUCH AUTHORITY: (1) ALL CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRAC- 25 TICES TO BE USED; (2) ALL ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS OF FINANCIAL INFORMA- 26 TION WITHIN GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES THAT HAVE BEEN 27 DISCUSSED WITH MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS OF THE PORT AUTHORITY, RAMIFICATIONS 28 OF THE USE OF SUCH ALTERNATIVE DISCLOSURES AND TREATMENTS, AND THE 29 TREATMENT PREFERRED BY THE CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM; 30 AND (3) OTHER MATERIAL WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE CERTIFIED 31 INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM AND THE MANAGEMENT OF THE AUTHORITY, 32 INCLUDING AS THE MANAGEMENT LETTER ALONG WITH MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSE OR 33 PLAN OF CORRECTIVE ACTION, MATERIAL CORRECTIONS IDENTIFIED OR SCHEDULE 34 OF UNADJUSTED DIFFERENCES, WHERE APPLICABLE. 35 C. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE 36 CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM PROVIDING SUCH AUTHORITY'S 37 ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDIT WILL BE PROHIBITED IN PROVIDING AUDIT SERVICES 38 TO THE AUTHORITY IF THE LEAD OR COORDINATING AUDIT PARTNER HAVING PRIMA- 39 RY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE AUDIT, OR THE AUDIT PARTNER RESPONSIBLE FOR 40 REVIEWING THE AUDIT, HAS PERFORMED AUDIT SERVICES FOR THAT ISSUER IN 41 EACH OF THE FIVE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEARS OF SUCH AUTHORITY. 42 D. THE CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM PERFORMING THE 43 PORT AUTHORITY'S AUDIT SHALL BE PROHIBITED FROM PERFORMING ANY NON-AUDIT 44 SERVICES TO SUCH AUTHORITY CONTEMPORANEOUSLY WITH THE AUDIT, UNLESS 45 RECEIVING PREVIOUS WRITTEN APPROVAL BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE INCLUDING: 46 (1) BOOKKEEPING OR OTHER SERVICES RELATED TO THE ACCOUNTING RECORDS OR 47 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SUCH AUTHORITY; (2) FINANCIAL INFORMATION 48 SYSTEMS DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION; (3) APPRAISAL OR VALUATION SERVICES, 49 FAIRNESS OPINIONS, OR CONTRIBUTION-IN-KIND REPORTS; (4) ACTUARIAL 50 SERVICES; (5) INTERNAL AUDIT OUTSOURCING SERVICES; (6) MANAGEMENT FUNC- 51 TIONS OR HUMAN SERVICES; (7) BROKER OR DEALER, INVESTMENT ADVISOR, OR 52 INVESTMENT BANKING SERVICES; AND (8) LEGAL SERVICES AND EXPERT SERVICES 53 UNRELATED TO THE AUDIT. 54 E. IT SHALL BE PROHIBITED FOR ANY CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC 55 ACCOUNTING FIRM TO PERFORM FOR THE PORT AUTHORITY ANY AUDIT SERVICE IF 56 THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, COMPTROLLER, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, CHIEF S. 7721 11 1 ACCOUNTING OFFICER, OR ANY OTHER PERSON SERVING IN AN EQUIVALENT POSI- 2 TION FOR THE AUTHORITY, WAS EMPLOYED BY THAT CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT 3 PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM AND PARTICIPATED IN ANY CAPACITY IN THE AUDIT OF 4 THE AUTHORITY DURING THE ONE YEAR PERIOD PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE 5 INITIATION OF THE AUDIT. 6 F. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE PORT 7 AUTHORITY MAY EXEMPT INFORMATION FROM DISCLOSURE OR REPORT, IF THE COUN- 8 SEL OF SUCH AUTHORITY DEEMS THAT SUCH INFORMATION IS COVERED BY EITHER 9 STATE'S FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAWS. 10 S 5. WHISTLEBLOWER ACCESS AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. A. DEFINITIONS. 11 (1) "ATTORNEY GENERAL" SHALL MEAN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF 12 NEW YORK AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY. 13 (2) "EMPLOYEES" MEANS THOSE PERSONS EMPLOYED AT THE PORT AUTHORITY, 14 INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME EMPLOYEES, THOSE 15 EMPLOYEES ON PROBATION, AND TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES. 16 (3) "INSPECTOR GENERAL" SHALL MEAN THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE PORT 17 AUTHORITY. 18 (4) "WHISTLEBLOWER" SHALL MEAN ANY EMPLOYEE OF THE PORT AUTHORITY WHO 19 DISCLOSES INFORMATION CONCERNING ACTS OF WRONGDOING, MISCONDUCT, MALFEA- 20 SANCE, OR OTHER INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR BY AN EMPLOYEE OR BOARD MEMBER OF 21 THE AUTHORITY, CONCERNING THE AUTHORITY'S INVESTMENTS, TRAVEL, ACQUISI- 22 TION OF REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY, THE DISPOSITION OF REAL OR PERSONAL 23 PROPERTY AND THE PROCUREMENT OF GOODS AND SERVICES. 24 B. THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 25 OF BOTH STATES SHALL DEVELOP A WHISTLEBLOWER ACCESS AND ASSISTANCE 26 PROGRAM WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO: 27 (1) EVALUATING AND COMMENTING ON WHISTLEBLOWER PROGRAMS AND POLICIES 28 BY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH FIVE OF SUBDIVISION A OF 29 SECTION TWO OF ARTICLE IV OF THIS ACT; 30 (2) ESTABLISHING TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE AND FACSIMILE LINES AVAILABLE TO 31 EMPLOYEES; 32 (3) OFFERING ADVICE REGARDING EMPLOYEE RIGHTS UNDER APPLICABLE STATE 33 AND FEDERAL LAWS AND ADVICE AND OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO ALL PERSONS; AND 34 (4) OFFERING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EMPLOYEES TO IDENTIFY CONCERNS REGARD- 35 ING ANY ISSUE AT THE PORT AUTHORITY. 36 C. ANY COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN AN EMPLOYEE AND THE INSPECTOR GENERAL 37 PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE HELD STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL BY THE 38 INSPECTOR GENERAL, UNLESS THE EMPLOYEE SPECIFICALLY WAIVES IN WRITING 39 THE RIGHT TO CONFIDENTIALITY, EXCEPT THAT SUCH CONFIDENTIALITY SHALL NOT 40 EXEMPT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL FROM DISCLOSING SUCH INFORMATION, WHERE 41 APPROPRIATE, TO ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY. 42 D. THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL NOT FIRE, DISCHARGE, DEMOTE, SUSPEND, 43 THREATEN, HARASS OR DISCRIMINATE AGAINST AN EMPLOYEE BECAUSE OF THE 44 EMPLOYEE'S ROLE AS A WHISTLEBLOWER, INSOFAR AS THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE 45 EMPLOYEE ARE LEGAL. 46 S 6. LOBBYING CONTACTS. A. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE: 47 (1) "LOBBYIST" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS DEFINED IN THE LAWS OR, 48 RULES OR REGULATIONS OF EITHER STATE. 49 (2) "LOBBYING" SHALL MEAN AND INCLUDE ANY ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE: 50 (A) THE ADOPTION OR REJECTION OF ANY RULE OR REGULATION HAVING THE 51 FORCE AND EFFECT OF LAW BY THE PORT AUTHORITY, 52 (B) THE OUTCOME OF ANY PROCEEDING BY THE PORT AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH, 53 LEVY OR COLLECT FEES, TOLLS, CHARGES OR FARES, AND 54 (C) THE AUTHORIZATION, APPROVAL OR AWARD OF ANY AGREEMENTS, CONTRACTS 55 OR PURCHASE ORDERS, INCLUDING ANY SETTLEMENT OF PORT AUTHORITY CLAIMS; S. 7721 12 1 OR ANY EXTENSION, AMENDMENT OR MODIFICATION OF ANY EXISTING AGREEMENT, 2 CONTRACT OR ORDER. 3 (3) "CONTACT" SHALL MEAN ANY CONVERSATION, IN PERSON OR BY TELEPHONIC 4 OR OTHER ELECTRONIC MEANS, OR CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN ANY LOBBYIST 5 ENGAGED IN THE ACT OF LOBBYING AND ANY PERSON WITHIN THE PORT AUTHORITY 6 WHO CAN MAKE OR INFLUENCE A DECISION ON THE SUBJECT OF THE LOBBYING ON 7 BEHALF OF THE AUTHORITY, AND SHALL INCLUDE, AT A MINIMUM, ALL MEMBERS OF 8 THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND ALL OFFICERS OF THE PORT AUTHORITY. 9 B. THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL MAINTAIN A RECORD OF ALL LOBBYING CONTACTS 10 MADE WITH SUCH AUTHORITY. 11 C. EVERY BOARD MEMBER, OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE PORT AUTHORITY WHO 12 IS CONTACTED BY A LOBBYIST SHALL MAKE A CONTEMPORANEOUS RECORD OF SUCH 13 CONTACT CONTAINING THE DAY AND TIME OF THE CONTACT, THE IDENTITY OF THE 14 LOBBYIST AND A GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE SUBSTANCE OF THE CONTACT. 15 D. THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL ADOPT A POLICY IMPLEMENTING THE REQUIRE- 16 MENTS OF THIS SECTION WITHIN ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE 17 DATE OF THIS ARTICLE. SUCH POLICY SHALL APPOINT AN OFFICER TO WHOM ALL 18 SUCH RECORDS SHALL BE DELIVERED. SUCH OFFICER SHALL MAINTAIN SUCH 19 RECORDS FOR NOT LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS IN A FILING SYSTEM DESIGNED TO 20 ORGANIZE SUCH RECORDS IN A MANNER SO AS TO MAKE SUCH RECORDS USEFUL TO 21 DETERMINE WHETHER THE DECISIONS OF THE AUTHORITY WERE INFLUENCED BY 22 LOBBYING CONTACTS. 23 S 7. INSPECTOR GENERAL. A. ESTABLISHMENT AND ORGANIZATION. (1) THERE 24 IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IN THE PORT 25 AUTHORITY. THE HEAD OF THE OFFICE SHALL BE THE INSPECTOR GENERAL WHO 26 SHALL BE APPOINTED BY, AND REPORT TO, THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE 27 PORT AUTHORITY. 28 (2) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL HOLD OFFICE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE 29 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND UNTIL HIS OR HER SUCCESSOR IS APPOINTED AND 30 HAS QUALIFIED. 31 (3) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY APPOINT ONE OR MORE DEPUTY INSPECTORS 32 GENERAL TO SERVE AT HIS OR HER PLEASURE, WHO SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR 33 CONDUCTING AUDITS AND INVESTIGATIONS IN THE PORT AUTHORITY. 34 B. FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES. THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOW- 35 ING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 36 (1) RECEIVE AND INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS FROM ANY SOURCE, OR UPON HIS OR 37 HER OWN INITIATIVE, CONCERNING ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION, FRAUD, CRIMI- 38 NAL ACTIVITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OR ABUSE IN THE PORT AUTHORITY OR 39 ITS SUBSIDIARIES; 40 (2) INFORM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SUCH 41 ALLEGATIONS AND THE PROGRESS OF INVESTIGATIONS RELATED THERETO, UNLESS 42 SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE CONFIDENTIALITY; 43 (3) DETERMINE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH ALLEGATIONS WHETHER DISCIPLINARY 44 ACTION, CIVIL OR CRIMINAL PROSECUTION, OR FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY AN 45 APPROPRIATE FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL AGENCY IS WARRANTED, AND TO ASSIST 46 IN SUCH INVESTIGATIONS; 47 (4) PREPARE AND RELEASE TO THE PUBLIC WRITTEN REPORTS OF SUCH INVESTI- 48 GATIONS, AS APPROPRIATE AND TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, SUBJECT TO 49 REDACTION TO PROTECT THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF WITNESSES. THE RELEASE OF 50 ALL OR PORTIONS OF SUCH REPORTS MAY BE DEFERRED TO PROTECT THE CONFIDEN- 51 TIALITY OF ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS; 52 (5) REVIEW AND EXAMINE PERIODICALLY THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF THE 53 PORT AUTHORITY WITH REGARD TO THE PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF 54 CORRUPTION, FRAUD, CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OR ABUSE; 55 (6) RECOMMEND REMEDIAL ACTION TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE CORRUPTION, 56 FRAUD, CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OR ABUSE; S. 7721 13 1 (7) ESTABLISH PROGRAMS FOR TRAINING PORT AUTHORITY OFFICERS AND 2 EMPLOYEES REGARDING THE PREVENTION AND ELIMINATION OF CORRUPTION, FRAUD, 3 CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OR ABUSE. 4 C. POWERS. THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO: 5 (1) SUBPOENA AND ENFORCE THE ATTENDANCE OF WITNESSES; 6 (2) ADMINISTER OATHS OR AFFIRMATIONS AND EXAMINE WITNESSES UNDER OATH; 7 (3) REQUIRE THE PRODUCTION OF ANY BOOKS AND PAPERS DEEMED RELEVANT OR 8 MATERIAL TO ANY INVESTIGATION, EXAMINATION OR REVIEW; 9 (4) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY LAW TO THE CONTRARY, EXAMINE AND COPY OR 10 REMOVE DOCUMENTS OR RECORDS OF ANY KIND PREPARED, MAINTAINED OR HELD BY 11 THE PORT AUTHORITY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES; 12 (5) REQUIRE ANY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE PORT AUTHORITY OR ITS 13 SUBSIDIARIES TO ANSWER QUESTIONS CONCERNING ANY MATTER RELATED TO THE 14 PERFORMANCE OF HIS OR HER OFFICIAL DUTIES. NO STATEMENT OR OTHER 15 EVIDENCE DERIVED THEREFROM MAY BE USED AGAINST SUCH OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE 16 IN ANY SUBSEQUENT CRIMINAL PROSECUTION OTHER THAN FOR PERJURY OR 17 CONTEMPT ARISING FROM SUCH TESTIMONY. THE REFUSAL OF ANY OFFICER OR 18 EMPLOYEE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS SHALL BE CAUSE FOR REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OR 19 EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER APPROPRIATE PENALTY; 20 (6) MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION BY THE PORT AUTHORITY OF ANY RECOMMEN- 21 DATIONS MADE BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL; 22 (7) PERFORM ANY OTHER FUNCTIONS THAT ARE NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE TO 23 FULFILL THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICE. 24 D. RESPONSIBILITIES OF PORT AUTHORITY OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES. EVERY 25 OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE IN THE PORT AUTHORITY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES SHALL 26 REPORT PROMPTLY TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING 27 CORRUPTION, FRAUD, CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OR ABUSE BY 28 ANOTHER PORT AUTHORITY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE RELATING TO HIS OR HER OFFICE 29 OR EMPLOYMENT, OR BY A PERSON HAVING BUSINESS DEALINGS WITH THE PORT 30 AUTHORITY RELATING TO THOSE DEALINGS. THE KNOWING FAILURE OF ANY OFFICER 31 OR EMPLOYEE TO SO REPORT SHALL BE CAUSE FOR REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OR 32 EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER APPROPRIATE PENALTY. ANY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE WHO 33 ACTS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION BY REPORTING TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL 34 IMPROPER GOVERNMENTAL ACTION SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO DISMISSAL, DISCI- 35 PLINE OR OTHER ADVERSE PERSONNEL ACTION. 36 S 8. REPORTING OF PORT AUTHORITY DEBT. AT LEAST SIXTY DAYS PRIOR TO 37 THE END OF ITS FISCAL YEAR, THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL SUBMIT TO THE 38 GOVERNOR, STATE COMPTROLLER AND LEGISLATURE OF EACH STATE A STATEMENT OF 39 INTENT TO GUIDE THE AUTHORITY'S ISSUANCE AND OVERALL AMOUNT OF BONDS, 40 NOTES, OR OTHER DEBT OBLIGATIONS IT MAY ISSUE DURING THE UPCOMING FISCAL 41 YEAR. 42 S 9. SUBSIDIARIES OF THE PORT AUTHORITY. A. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY LAW TO 43 THE CONTRARY, THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL NOT HAVE THE POWER TO ORGANIZE 44 ANY SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION UNLESS THE LEGISLATURE OF BOTH STATES SHALL 45 HAVE ENACTED A LAW GRANTING THE AUTHORITY SUCH POWER FOR THE ORGANIZA- 46 TION OF A SPECIFIC CORPORATION, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE PORT AUTHOR- 47 ITY MAY ORGANIZE A SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION PURSUANT TO THE FOLLOWING 48 REQUIREMENTS: 49 (1) THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THE SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION SHALL BE ORGAN- 50 IZED SHALL BE FOR A PROJECT OR PROJECTS WHICH THE AUTHORITY HAS THE 51 POWER TO PURSUE PURSUANT TO ITS CORPORATE PURPOSES; 52 (2) THE PRIMARY REASON FOR WHICH THE SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION SHALL BE 53 ORGANIZED SHALL BE TO LIMIT THE POTENTIAL LIABILITY IMPACT OF THE 54 SUBSIDIARY'S PROJECT OR PROJECTS ON THE AUTHORITY OR BECAUSE STATE OR 55 FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES THAT THE PURPOSE OF A SUBSIDIARY BE UNDERTAKEN 56 THROUGH A SPECIFIC CORPORATE STRUCTURE; AND S. 7721 14 1 (3) THE SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION SHALL MAKE THE REPORTS AND OTHER 2 DISCLOSURES AS ARE REQUIRED BY THE PORT AUTHORITY, UNLESS THE SUBSIDIARY 3 CORPORATION'S OPERATIONS AND FINANCES ARE CONSOLIDATED WITH THOSE OF THE 4 AUTHORITY. 5 B. IN SUCH CASES WHERE THE PORT AUTHORITY IS GRANTED THE POWER TO 6 ORGANIZE A SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION A OF THIS 7 SECTION, THE AUTHORITY SHALL FILE, NO LESS THAN SIXTY DAYS PRIOR TO THE 8 FORMATION OF SUCH SUBSIDIARY, NOTICE TO THE GOVERNOR, THE COMPTROLLER, 9 AND THE LEGISLATURE OF EACH STATE THAT IT WILL BE CREATING A SUBSIDIARY. 10 C. SUBSIDIARY CORPORATIONS FORMED UNDER SUBDIVISION A OF THIS SECTION 11 SHALL NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ISSUE BONDS, NOTES OR OTHER DEBTS, 12 PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH SUBSIDIARY CORPORATIONS MAY ISSUE NOTES OR 13 OTHER DEBT TO THE PORT AUTHORITY. NO SUCH DEBT ISSUED BY THE SUBSIDIARY 14 TO THE AUTHORITY SHALL IN TOTAL EXCEED, AT ANY TIME, A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT 15 OF FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS OR, DURING THE NINE MONTHS AFTER THE 16 FORMATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY, ONE MILLION DOLLARS. 17 D. THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OR OTHER DOCUMENT FILED TO ORGAN- 18 IZE A SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL STATE THAT THE 19 PORT AUTHORITY IS THE PERSON ORGANIZING THE CORPORATION. 20 E. ON OR BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF JANUARY, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, AND 21 ANNUALLY ON SUCH DAY THEREAFTER, ANY SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION, IN COOPER- 22 ATION WITH THE PORT AUTHORITY, SHALL PROVIDE TO THE GOVERNOR AND LEGIS- 23 LATURE OF EACH STATE A REPORT ON THE SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION. SUCH REPORT 24 SHALL INCLUDE FOR EACH SUBSIDIARY: 25 (1) THE COMPLETE LEGAL NAME, ADDRESS AND CONTACT INFORMATION OF THE 26 SUBSIDIARY; 27 (2) THE STRUCTURE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY, INCLUDING THE 28 NAMES AND TITLES OF EACH OF ITS MEMBERS, DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS, AS WELL 29 AS A CHART OF ITS ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE; 30 (3) THE COMPLETE BYLAWS AND LEGAL ORGANIZATION PAPERS OF THE SUBSID- 31 IARY; 32 (4) A COMPLETE REPORT OF THE PURPOSE, OPERATIONS, MISSION AND PROJECTS 33 OF THE SUBSIDIARY, INCLUDING A STATEMENT OF JUSTIFICATION AS TO WHY THE 34 SUBSIDIARY IS NECESSARY TO CONTINUE ITS OPERATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC BENE- 35 FIT FOR THE PEOPLE OF BOTH STATES; AND 36 (5) ANY OTHER INFORMATION THE SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION DEEMS IMPORTANT 37 TO INCLUDE IN SUCH REPORT. 38 S 10. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE. 1. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF 39 LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE COMMISSIONERS, OFFICERS, AND EMPLOYEES OF THE 40 PORT AUTHORITY SHALL FILE ANNUAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS AS 41 PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION. 42 2. (A) THE COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR FROM THE STATE OF 43 NEW YORK SHALL FILE ANNUAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS PURSUANT TO 44 SECTION SEVENTY-THREE-A OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW. 45 (B) EMPLOYEES OF THE PORT AUTHORITY WHO HOLD A POLICY-MAKING POSITION, 46 AS DETERMINED BY THE PORT AUTHORITY, OR WHOSE ANNUAL SALARY EQUALS OR 47 EXCEEDS THE SALARY RATE OF SG-24 AS SET FORTH IN PARAGRAPH A OF SUBDIVI- 48 SION ONE OF SECTION 130 OF THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW 49 YORK AS OF APRIL FIRST OF THE YEAR IN WHICH AN ANNUAL FINANCIAL DISCLO- 50 SURE STATEMENT SHALL BE FILED, SHALL FILE ANNUAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE 51 STATEMENTS PURSUANT TO SECTION SEVENTY-THREE-A OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS 52 LAW. 53 (C) ANY PERSON WHO IS REQUIRED TO FILE ANNUAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS 54 PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH AND PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL 55 BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS, INCLUDING THE ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS, OF 56 SECTION SEVENTY-THREE-A OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW. S. 7721 15 1 (D) THE COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR FROM THE STATE OF NEW 2 JERSEY SHALL FILE ANNUAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS AS REQUIRED BY 3 NEW JERSEY STATE LAW OR EXECUTIVE ORDER. 4 S 11. THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL REQUIRE AN EFFICIENCY STUDY TO BE 5 CONDUCTED BY AN OUTSIDE, INDEPENDENT EFFICIENCY EXPERT TO IDENTIFY WASTE 6 OR ABUSE INVOLVING THE AUTHORITY. THE INITIAL STUDY SHALL BE COMPLETED 7 WITHIN TWELVE MONTHS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT, AND MADE PUBLIC 8 AT THE FIRST PUBLIC MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOLLOWING THE 9 COMPLETION OF THE INITIAL STUDY. SUBSEQUENT STUDIES SHALL BE COMPLETED 10 AND MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC EVERY TWO YEARS THEREAFTER. A COPY OF 11 EACH STUDY CONDUCTED SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE PORT AUTHORITY'S OFFICE 12 OF INSPECTOR GENERAL. 13 S 12. ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET; CAPITAL STRATEGY PLAN. 1. FOR THE 14 PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION: 15 (A) "GAAP" MEANS THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES ESTAB- 16 LISHED BY THE GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD. 17 (B) "MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECT" MEANS AN UNDERTAKING OR PROGRAM FOR THE 18 ACQUISITION, CREATION, OR DEVELOPMENT OF ANY CROSSING, TRANSPORTATION 19 FACILITY, TERMINAL FACILITY, OR COMMERCE FACILITY OR ANY PART THEREOF, 20 WITH AN ESTIMATED TOTAL PROJECT COST IN EXCESS OF $500,000,000. 21 2. (A) THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL PREPARE A DETAILED ANNUAL OPERATING 22 BUDGET BEGINNING WITH THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING AFTER THE EFFECTIVE 23 DATE OF THE CHAPTER OF THE LAWS OF 2014 WHICH ADDED THIS SECTION. 24 (B) THE INITIAL ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET SHALL BE MADE PUBLICLY AVAIL- 25 ABLE, INCLUDING ON THE PORT AUTHORITY'S INTERNET WEBSITE, IN JULY OF 26 EVERY FISCAL YEAR, AND A FINAL ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET, WHICH SHALL TAKE 27 INTO ACCOUNT PUBLIC COMMENT, SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE IN FEBRUARY OF EACH 28 FISCAL YEAR. 29 (C) IT SHALL BE THE POLICY OF THE PORT AUTHORITY THAT ITS ANNUAL OPER- 30 ATING BUDGET BE BALANCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH GAAP PRINCIPLES, PROVIDED, 31 HOWEVER, SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES MAY PERMIT THAT DEFICITS BE COVERED WITH 32 ACCRUED RESERVES OR OTHER RESOURCES. 33 3. (A) THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL PREPARE A LONG-RANGE CAPITAL STRATEGY 34 PLAN AND SHALL REVISE THE LONG-RANGE PLAN EVERY FOUR YEARS BEGINNING 35 WITH THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE CHAPTER 36 OF THE LAWS OF 2014 WHICH ADDED THIS SECTION. 37 (B) THE CAPITAL STRATEGY PLAN SHALL SPECIFY THE PROJECTS TO BE INITI- 38 ATED AND THE EXPECTED COST OF THOSE PROJECTS. THE COMMITMENT PLANS SHALL 39 INCLUDE A FINANCING PLAN THAT IDENTIFIES THE SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR EACH 40 PROJECT. 41 (C) QUARTERLY REPORTS SHALL BE PREPARED BY THE PORT AUTHORITY AND MADE 42 PUBLICLY AVAILABLE WITH THE STATUS OF EACH PROJECT IN THE CAPITAL STRAT- 43 EGY PLAN. THESE REPORTS SHALL COMPARE ACTUAL AND TARGET PERFORMANCE 44 MEASURES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO COSTS AND CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULES, 45 AND A NARRATIVE EXPLANATION OF ANY DISCREPANCY THEREOF. 46 4. THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL ALSO PROVIDE THAT MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS 47 ARE MONITORED BY INDEPENDENT ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS. THE INDEPENDENT 48 CONSULTANTS SHALL PREPARE QUARTERLY REPORTS TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BOARD 49 AND TO THE PUBLIC. THE QUARTERLY REPORTS PREPARED BY INDEPENDENT 50 CONSULTANTS SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, A COMPARISON OF ACTUAL 51 AND TARGET PERFORMANCE MEASURES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COSTS AND 52 CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULES, AND A NARRATIVE EXPLANATION OF ANY DISCREPANCY 53 THEREOF. 54 ARTICLE VII-C 55 S 1. NEEDS ASSESSMENT. THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL REQUIRE THAT A NEEDS 56 ASSESSMENT BE CONDUCTED BY AN INDEPENDENT ENTITY PRIOR TO ANY INCREASE S. 7721 16 1 IN FEES, TOLLS, CHARGES OR FARES. THE ASSESSMENT SHALL BE PRESENTED BY 2 THE INDEPENDENT ENTITY TO THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AT A PUBLIC MEETING 3 TO BE HELD AT LEAST 120 DAYS PRIOR TO ANY MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS 4 TO VOTE TO INCREASE ANY FEES, TOLLS, CHARGES OR FARES. 5 S 2. FEES, TOLLS, CHARGES AND FARE INCREASES; HEARINGS. (A) NOT LESS 6 THAN 30 DAYS AND NOT MORE THAN 90 DAYS PRIOR TO ANY VOTE OR ACTION TAKEN 7 BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RELATING TO ANY INCREASE IN THE TOLLS FOR 8 THE USE OF ANY PORT AUTHORITY BRIDGE OR TUNNEL, OR FARES FOR THE USE OF 9 THE PORT AUTHORITY TRANS-HUDSON CORPORATION RAIL SYSTEM, THE PORT 10 AUTHORITY SHALL CONDUCT AT LEAST SIX PUBLIC HEARINGS IN A MANNER 11 PRESCRIBED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. 12 (B) LOCATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC HEARINGS SHALL BE SELECTED IN SUCH A WAY 13 AS TO BE GEOGRAPHICALLY ACCESSIBLE TO A MAJORITY OF USERS OF THE FACILI- 14 TY OR FACILITIES TO BE IMPACTED BY THE TOLL OR FARE INCREASE, AS DETER- 15 MINED BY PORT AUTHORITY DATA, PROVIDED THAT AT LEAST ONE HEARING SHALL 16 BE HELD IN EACH STATE. 17 (C) AT LEAST 72 HOURS BEFORE ANY HEARING HELD PURSUANT TO THIS 18 SECTION, THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC BY 19 CONSPICUOUSLY POSTING, AT A MINIMUM, THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IN ONE OR 20 MORE DESIGNATED AREAS AND ON THE PORT AUTHORITY'S OFFICIAL INTERNET 21 WEBSITE: 22 (1) THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE EXPECTED TO BE GENERATED FROM THE INCREASE 23 IN TOLLS OR FARES; 24 (2) A DETAILED EXPLANATION OF HOW THE REVENUES RAISED FROM THE 25 INCREASE IN TOLLS OR FARES IS EXPECTED TO BE SPENT; AND 26 (3) A WRITTEN EXPLANATION OF WHY THE INCREASE IN TOLLS OR FARES IS 27 NECESSARY. 28 (D) EACH HEARING SHALL BE ATTENDED BY AT LEAST THREE COMMISSIONERS 29 FROM NEW YORK AND THREE COMMISSIONERS FROM NEW JERSEY IN OFFICE AT THE 30 TIME OF THE HEARING. 31 (E) THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL HOLD NO MORE THAN ONE PUBLIC HEARING IN A 32 SINGLE DAY, AND AT LEAST ONE-HALF OF THE PUBLIC HEARINGS SHALL BE SCHED- 33 ULED TO BEGIN AFTER 6LABOR P.M., EASTERN STANDARD TIME, ON A WEEKDAY. 34 S 3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. AT EACH PUBLIC MEETING OF THE BOARD AND AT 35 EACH PUBLIC MEETING OF EACH COMMITTEE, THE PUBLIC SHALL BE ALLOTTED A 36 PERIOD OF TIME, NOT LESS THAN 60 MINUTES, TO SPEAK ON ANY TOPIC ON THE 37 AGENDA. THE PUBLIC SPEAKING PERIOD SHALL TAKE PLACE PRIOR TO ANY BOARD 38 OR COMMITTEE ACTION. 39 S 4. AGENDAS AND RELATED DOCUMENTS. (A) THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL MAKE 40 AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC MEETING AGENDAS AT LEAST 72 HOURS BEFORE EACH 41 MEETING OF THE BOARD AND EACH MEETING OF EACH COMMITTEE. PUBLIC NOTICE 42 OF THE TIME AND PLACE OF A MEETING SHALL BE PROVIDED TO APPROPRIATE 43 MEDIA OUTLETS, SHALL BE CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED IN ONE OR MORE DESIGNATED 44 AREAS AT LEAST 72 HOURS BEFORE SUCH MEETING, AND SHALL BE CONSPICUOUSLY 45 POSTED VIA THE PORT AUTHORITY'S OFFICIAL INTERNET WEBSITE AT LEAST FIVE 46 BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE THE MEETING. 47 (B) THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC SUCH DOCU- 48 MENTS IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER: (1) THE AGENDA AND PUBLIC DOCUMENTS 49 PERTAINING TO A BOARD OR COMMITTEE MEETING SHALL BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC 50 INSPECTION AT AN OFFICE OF THE PORT AUTHORITY; AND (2) THE AGENDA AND 51 PUBLIC DOCUMENTS PERTAINING TO A BOARD OR COMMITTEE MEETING SHALL BE 52 POSTED ON THE PORT AUTHORITY'S OFFICIAL INTERNET WEBSITE. IN ADDITION, 53 THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL SEND VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL, THE AGENDA AND PUBLIC 54 DOCUMENTS PERTAINING TO A BOARD OR COMMITTEE MEETING TO EACH MEMBER OF 55 THE NEW YORK STATE AND THE NEW JERSEY STATE LEGISLATURES. S. 7721 17 1 S 5. THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL ENSURE THAT EACH OF THE REQUIREMENTS SET 2 FORTH IN SECTIONS TWO AND THREE OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE COMPLIED WITH 3 BEFORE PLACING ON THE MEETING AGENDA OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ANY 4 ITEM OR MATTER RELATING TO AN INCREASE IN TOLLS, FEES OR OTHER CHARGES. 5 S 6. (A) THE PORT AUTHORITY AT THE REQUEST OF EITHER HOUSE OF THE 6 STATE LEGISLATURE SHALL BE REQUIRED TO APPEAR BEFORE A COMMITTEE OF THE 7 REQUESTING STATE LEGISLATURE TO PRESENT TESTIMONY ON ANY TOPIC OR 8 SUBJECT REQUESTED BY THE COMMITTEE OR TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS 9 OF SUCH COMMITTEE. 10 (B) THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL, AT A MINIMUM, BE REPRESENTED BY THE 11 CHAIR OR VICE-CHAIR OF THE BOARD, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR DEPUTY EXEC- 12 UTIVE DIRECTOR, THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, AND ANY STAFF DEEMED NECES- 13 SARY BY THE CHAIR OR VICE-CHAIR OF THE BOARD, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR 14 DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OR THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER TO PRESENT 15 TESTIMONY OR RESPOND TO QUESTIONS AT ANY APPEARANCE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO 16 THIS SECTION. THE COMMITTEE MAY REQUEST THE APPEARANCE OF ANY OFFICER OR 17 EMPLOYEE OF THE PORT AUTHORITY. 18 S 7. BARRIER-FREE ACCESS. THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL MAKE OR CAUSE TO BE 19 MADE ALL REASONABLE EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT MEETINGS ARE HELD IN FACILI- 20 TIES THAT PERMIT BARRIER-FREE PHYSICAL ACCESS TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILI- 21 TIES. IF THE BOARD DETERMINES TO USE VIDEO CONFERENCING OR SIMILAR 22 TECHNOLOGY TO CONDUCT ITS MEETING, IT SHALL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR 23 THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND, LISTEN AND OBSERVE AT ANY SITE AT WHICH A COMMIS- 24 SIONER PARTICIPATES. 25 S 5. Sections 2 and 3 of article XV-A of section 1 of chapter 154 of 26 the laws of 1921, relating to the Port Authority of New York and New 27 Jersey, as added by chapter 275 of the laws of 1992, are amended and a 28 new section 4 is added to read as follows: 29 S 2. As used in this act: 30 a. "Board" means the board of commissioners of the Port Authority of 31 New York and New Jersey. 32 b. "COMMITTEE" OR "COMMITTEES" MEANS ANY STANDING COMMITTEE ESTAB- 33 LISHED BY THE BOARD, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, 34 GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REQUIRED TO BE ESTABLISHED 35 PURSUANT TO SECTION 2 OF ARTICLE IV OF THIS ACT. 36 C. "Meeting" means any gathering, whether corporeal or by means of 37 communication equipment, which is attended by, or open to, the board, 38 held with the intent, on the part of the board members present, to 39 discuss or act as a unit upon the specific public business of the 40 authority. "Meeting" does not mean a gathering (1) attended by less than 41 an effective majority of the board, or (2) attended by or open to all 42 the members of three or more similar public bodies at a convention or 43 similar gathering. 44 D. "NEWS MEDIA" MEANS PERSONS REPRESENTING MAJOR WIRE SERVICES, TELE- 45 VISION NEWS SERVICES, RADIO NEWS SERVICES AND NEWSPAPERS, WHETHER 46 LOCATED IN THE STATES OF NEW YORK OR NEW JERSEY OR ANY OTHER STATE. 47 [c.] E. "Public business" mean matters which relate in any way, 48 directly or indirectly, to the performance of the functions of the port 49 authority of New York and New Jersey or the conduct of its business. 50 S 3. A. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISION OF ANY OTHER LAW TO THE CONTRA- 51 RY, ALL MEETINGS OF THE BOARD ARE DECLARED TO BE PUBLIC MEETINGS AND 52 SHALL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND MEMBERS OF THE NEWS MEDIA, INDIVIDUALLY 53 AND COLLECTIVELY, FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBSERVING THE FULL DETAILS OF ALL 54 PHASES OF THE DELIBERATION, POLICY-MAKING, AND DECISION-MAKING OF THE 55 BOARD. S. 7721 18 1 B. The board shall adopt [and promulgate], WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE 2 EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT, appropriate rules and regulations concerning 3 PROPER NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC AND THE NEWS MEDIA OF ITS MEETINGS AND the 4 right of the public AND THE NEWS MEDIA to be present at meetings of the 5 authority. THE RULES AND REGULATIONS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION 6 SHALL PROVIDE FOR THE SAME NOTICE AND RIGHT OF THE PUBLIC AND NEWS MEDIA 7 TO BE PRESENT, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER RIGHTS AND DUTIES AS ARE PROVIDED IN 8 SECTIONS 3 AND 4 OF ARTICLE VII-C OF THIS ACT, AND SECTION 4 OF THIS 9 ARTICLE. The board may incorporate in its rules and regulations condi- 10 tions under which it may exclude the public from a meeting or a portion 11 thereof. 12 C. Any rules or regulations adopted hereunder shall become a part of 13 the minutes of the port authority of New York and New Jersey and shall 14 be subject to the approval of the governor of New Jersey and the gover- 15 nor of New York. 16 S 4. A. ALL MEETINGS OF THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 17 AT ALL TIMES. UPON A MAJORITY VOTE OF ITS TOTAL MEMBERSHIP, TAKEN IN AN 18 OPEN MEETING PURSUANT TO A MOTION IDENTIFYING THE GENERAL AREA OR AREAS 19 OF THE SUBJECT OR SUBJECTS TO BE CONSIDERED, THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 20 MAY EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC ONLY FROM THAT PORTION OF A MEETING AT WHICH THE 21 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DISCUSSES: 22 (1) ANY MATTER FOR WHICH THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION WOULD IMPAIR A 23 RIGHT TO RECEIVE FUNDS FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES; 24 (2) ANY MATERIAL THE DISCLOSURE OF WHICH CONSTITUTE AN UNWARRANTED 25 INVASION OF INDIVIDUAL OR PERSONAL PRIVACY; 26 (3) ANY COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT, OR THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS 27 WHICH ARE PROPOSED FOR INCLUSION IN ANY COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT, 28 INCLUDING THE NEGOTIATION OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS THEREOF WITH 29 EMPLOYEES OR REPRESENTATIVES OF EMPLOYEES OF THE PORT AUTHORITY; 30 (4) ANY MATTER INVOLVING THE PURCHASE, LEASE, OR ACQUISITION OF REAL 31 PROPERTY WITH PORT AUTHORITY FUNDS, THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF SECURI- 32 TIES, THE SALE OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES HELD BY THE PORT AUTHORITY OR 33 INVESTMENT OF PORT AUTHORITY FUNDS, IF IT COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE 34 PUBLIC INTEREST IF DISCUSSION OF THE MATTER WAS DISCLOSED; 35 (5) ANY MATTER WHICH WOULD IMPERIL THE PUBLIC SAFETY IF DISCLOSED; 36 (6) ANY PENDING OR ANTICIPATED LITIGATION OR CONTRACT NEGOTIATION IN 37 WHICH THE PORT AUTHORITY IS, OR MAY BECOME, A PARTY, OR MATTERS FALLING 38 WITHIN THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE, TO THE EXTENT THAT CONFIDENTIALITY 39 IS REQUIRED IN ORDER FOR THE ATTORNEY TO EXERCISE THE ATTORNEY'S ETHICAL 40 DUTIES AS A LAWYER; 41 (7) ANY MATTER INVOLVING THE EMPLOYMENT, APPOINTMENT, TERMINATION OF 42 EMPLOYMENT, TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, EVALUATION OF THE 43 PERFORMANCE OF, PROMOTION, OR DISCIPLINING OF ANY SPECIFIC PROSPECTIVE 44 OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OR CURRENT OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE EMPLOYED OR APPOINTED 45 BY THE PORT AUTHORITY, UNLESS ALL THE INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES OR APPOINTEES 46 WHOSE RIGHTS COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED REQUEST IN WRITING THAT THE 47 MATTER OR MATTERS BE DISCUSSED AT A PUBLIC MEETING; OR 48 (8) ANY DELIBERATION OF THE PORT AUTHORITY OCCURRING AFTER A PUBLIC 49 HEARING THAT MAY RESULT IN THE IMPOSITION OF A SPECIFIC CIVIL PENALTY 50 UPON THE RESPONDING PARTY OR THE SUSPENSION OR LOSS OF A LICENSE OR 51 PERMIT BELONGING TO THE RESPONDING PARTY AS A RESULT OF AN ACT OR OMIS- 52 SION FOR WHICH THE RESPONDING PARTY BEARS RESPONSIBILITY. 53 B. THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL KEEP REASONABLY COMPREHENSIBLE MINUTES OF 54 ALL ITS MEETINGS SHOWING THE TIME AND PLACE, THE MEMBERS PRESENT, THE 55 SUBJECTS CONSIDERED, THE ACTIONS TAKEN, THE VOTE OF EACH MEMBER WHICH 56 SHALL BE PROMPTLY AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION C OF S. 7721 19 1 THIS SECTION TO THE EXTENT THAT MAKING THESE MATTERS PUBLIC SHALL NOT BE 2 INCONSISTENT WITH SUBDIVISION A OF THIS SECTION. 3 C. MINUTES OF EACH MEETING SHALL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC WITHIN TWO 4 WEEKS FROM THE DATE OF SUCH MEETING. 5 D. THE MINUTES SHALL INDICATE FOR EACH ITEM ON THE AGENDA, THE VOTE OR 6 EACH BOARD MEMBER IN ATTENDANCE AT AN OPEN MEETING OR AN EXECUTIVE 7 SESSION OF THE BOARD OR A COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD. EACH ITEM ON THE AGEN- 8 DA SHALL BE VOTED ON SEPARATELY. 9 S 6. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 1 of section 73-a of the public 10 officers law is amended by adding a new subparagraph (iv) to read as 11 follows: 12 (IV) NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SUBPARAGRAPH (III) OF THIS 13 PARAGRAPH TO THE CONTRARY, THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT AUTHORITY OF 14 NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW 15 YORK; ALL OFFICERS OF SUCH PORT AUTHORITY; AND ANY EMPLOYEE OF SUCH PORT 16 AUTHORITY WHO HOLDS A POLICY-MAKING POSITION, AS DETERMINED BY SUCH PORT 17 AUTHORITY, OR WHOSE ANNUAL SALARY EQUALS OR EXCEEDS THE SALARY RATE OF 18 SG-24 AS SET FORTH IN PARAGRAPH A OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION ONE 19 HUNDRED THIRTY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW AS OF APRIL FIRST OF THE YEAR IN 20 WHICH AN ANNUAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT SHALL BE FILED. 21 S 7. Severability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivi- 22 sion, section or part of this act shall be adjudged by any court of 23 competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, 24 impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in 25 its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section 26 or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judg- 27 ment shall have been rendered. It is hereby declared to be the intent of 28 the legislature that this act would have been enacted even if such 29 invalid provisions had not been included herein. 30 S 8. This act shall take effect upon the enactment into law by the 31 state of New Jersey of legislation having an identical effect with this 32 act, but if the state of New Jersey shall have already enacted such 33 legislation this act shall take effect immediately. The chairman of the 34 port authority shall notify the legislative bill drafting commission 35 upon the enactment into law of such legislation by both such states in 36 order that the commission may maintain an accurate and timely effective 37 data base of the official text of the laws of the state of New York in 38 furtherance of effecting the provision of section 44 of the legislative 39 law and section 70-b of the public officers law.