Suffolk County, NY Attachment AA Uncodified Local Law Provisions

§ AA-1 Local Law No. 33-1988 also provided as follows.

Section 2. Definitions. As used in this law:

COUNTY AGENCY

Any County department or division, board, commission or bureau of any County department or any public benefit corporation, public authority or commission, at least one of whose members is appointed by the County Executive or the County Legislature or any other County officer.

COUNTY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE

A. All elected Suffolk County officials, all department heads, chief deputy department heads, assistants to department heads, deputy department heads and all officers and employees, regardless of civil service status, of County department, boards, commissions, councils, bureaus, agencies, public benefit corporations or public authorities, whether paid or unpaid, who hold policymaking positions or who hold positions involving the negotiation, authorization or approval of contracts, leases, franchises, revocable consents or concessions, licenses or special permits; the purchase, sale, rental or lease of real property, goods or services or a contract therefor; the obtaining of grants of money or loans; or the adoption or repeal of any rule or regulation having the force and effect of law; members appointed to the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency; members appointed to the Suffolk County Water Authority; members appointed to the Suffolk County Pine Barrens Review Commission; members of the Board of Trustees of Parks, Recreation and Conservation; and members of the Suffolk County Planning Commission. "Employees" shall not include individuals appointed to the titles and positions in the list appended to Chapter 61 as Appendix A. The appointing authority of each County department, board, commission, council, bureau, agency, public benefit corporation or public authority shall furnish the Suffolk County Ethics Commission, in writing, no later than January 31 of each year, with a list of names and resident addresses of each of its officers and employees as defined herein.

[Amended 3-19-1991 by L.L. No. 11-1991]

B. Officers and employees of county-wide elected officials, officers and employees of County departments, boards, bureaus, divisions, commissions, councils or other County agencies; and

C. Members or directors of public authorities, public benefit corporations and commissions, at least one of whose members is appointed by the County Executive, County Legislature or any other County officer, and employees of such authorities, corporations and commissions.

COUNTY-WIDE ELECTED OFFICIAL

The County Executive, District Attorney, Comptroller, Clerk and/or Sheriff.

[Amended 6-17-2014 by L.L. No. 32-2014]

IMMEDIATE FAMILY

With respect to a public official, an individual who is related to the public official as father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, husband, wife, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother or stepsister.

LEGISLATIVE EMPLOYEE

Any officer or employee of the County Legislature, but it shall not include members of the Legislature.

POLITICAL PARTY OFFICER

Any chairman of a town or County political committee of any political party.

PUBLIC OFFICIAL

Any county-wide elected official, member of the Legislature and any employee and any other individual, in whom is vested the authority by law, rule or regulation or to whom the authority has been delegated to appoint, employ, promote or advance individuals or to recommend individuals for appointment, employment, promotion or advancement in connection with employment in any agency.

Section 4. Penalties.

A. In addition to any penalty contained in any other provision of law, any person who knowingly and intentionally violates the provisions of this law shall be assessed a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $1,000. Assessment of a civil penalty hereunder shall be made by the Suffolk County Ethics Commission with respect to persons subject to its jurisdiction. The Suffolk County Ethics Commission acting pursuant to its statutory authority may impose a civil penalty.

B. The Suffolk County Ethics Commission shall refer any violation of any provision of this law to an appropriate prosecutor and, upon such conviction, after such referral, for a knowing and intentional violation of any provision of this law, such violation shall be punishable as a Class A misdemeanor with a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or a term of imprisonment not to exceed one year.

C. Nothing contained herein shall preclude the criminal prosecution of any violation of any provision of this law independent of any referral from the Suffolk County Ethics Commission and independent of any outcome in a civil proceeding instituted by said Commission for any violation of the same provision of law for which a criminal prosecution is sought.

§ AA-2 Local Law No. 31-1990 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the magnitude and economic significance of acting each year upon a billion-dollar County operating budget and a multi-hundred-million-dollar capital budget and program requires intense legislative oversight and scrutiny.

This Legislature further finds and determines that additional time is required for such oversight and review.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to provide additional time for the County Legislature to review and consider the annual County operating budget and capital budget and program by eliminating regularly scheduled legislative meetings immediately prior to votes on such budgets.

§ AA-3 Local Law No. 32-1990 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds that certain provisions concerning the organization of the County Legislature and the election of the Presiding Officer and the Deputy Presiding Officer fail to generate sufficient pressure and time constraints necessary to effectuate an expeditious selection of the leadership of the County Legislature.

The purpose of this law is to remove the uncertainty and imprecision surrounding said process by reducing the amount of time within which the County Legislature may select its own Presiding Officer or Deputy Presiding Officer.

Section 3. Form of proposition.

The question to be submitted to the electorate pursuant to Section 6 of this law shall read as follows:

"Shall Resolution No. 743 — 1989, a local law to require the County Legislature to select its leadership by January 15 of any year, be approved?"

Section 6. Effective date.

This law shall take effect immediately upon filing in the office of the Secretary of State if it is first approved by an affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified electors of the County of Suffolk voting upon a proposition for its approval at the next general election, in conformity with the provisions of § 23 of the Municipal Home Rule Law, and shall apply to any appointments made subsequent to the effective date of this law.

§ AA-4 Local Law No. 33-1990 also provided as follows.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the existing provisions of the Initiative and Referendum Law in Suffolk County subvert the original intent of that legislation to allow Suffolk County residents to write and enact their own amendments to the Suffolk County Charter.

This Legislature further finds that the procedural niceties and technicalities of that law create so many roadblocks as to impede the ability of the average citizen to effectuate such amendments through ballot box proposals.

Therefore, the purpose of this Charter Law is to streamline the initiative and referendum process so as to grant necessary rights and powers to average people within Suffolk County sufficient to allow them to become true "citizen-legislators" who can express the will of the people through direct participatory democracy. To this end, this law enacts the substance of the recommendations advanced by a 1986 Citizens' Task Force.

Section 4. Form of proposition.

The proposition to be submitted at the general election pursuant to Section 7 of this law shall be in the following form:

"Shall Resolution No. 234

1990, Adopting a Charter Law to Amend the Suffolk County Charter and Administrative Code to Streamline and Strengthen the Procedure for direct Citizen-Sponsored Legislative Initiatives Subject to Voter Approval, commencing January 1, 1991, be approved?"

Section 7. Effective date.

This law shall take effect on January 1, 1991, if it is approved by an affirmative vote of the qualified electors of the County of Suffolk voting upon a proposition for its approval at the next general election in conformity with the provisions of § 34 of the Municipal Home Rule Law.

§ AA-5 Local Law No. 41-1990 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that a difference of opinion has arisen regarding the need for legislative authorization, approval and/or ratification of contracts, contract amendments, contract extensions or contract modifications entered into by or on behalf of administrative officials of the County of Suffolk.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the request or use of such legislative authorization, approval and/or ratification has historically been applied on an uneven and inconsistent basis due to differences of opinion and differences of interpretation regarding the need therefor as well as occasional policy differences between the two branches of government.

This Legislature also finds that establishing a clear-cut procedure and policy for execution of all county contracts, contract amendments, contract extensions or contract modifications will remove any doubt and eliminate any dissension or conflict between the respective branches of government in connection with the execution of contract, contract amendments, contract extensions or contract modifications entered into by or on behalf of the County of Suffolk.

This Legislature also finds and determines that nothing contained herein shall be construed as an acknowledgment or recognition of County Executive power to execute contracts, contract amendments, contract extensions or contract modifications by or on behalf of the County of Suffolk without legislative authorization, approval or ratification, but is limited solely to the explicit purpose of reasserting, restating and reaffirming legislative power to authorize, approve and/or ratify county contracts, contract amendments, contract extensions or contract modifications and the necessity thereof.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to clarify, reinforce and restate the legal requirement that all contracts, contract amendments, contract extensions or contract modifications entered into by or on behalf of the County of Suffolk must first obtain legislative authorization, approval and/or ratification, and to lower the dollar threshold for the public disclosure of contract vendors doing business with the county from $10,000 to $1,000.

Section 2. Definitions. As used in this law, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

CONTRACT

Any claim, account or demand against or agreement, upon sufficient consideration, with the County of Suffolk or any divisions, departments, agencies or entities thereof, express or implied, for public construction work; for the rendering or performance of personal services, for the purpose of goods and services; or for a lease, license, sale or purchase relative to real or personal property, and shall include the designation of an official depository for public funds and the designation of an official newspaper for the publication of any notice, resolution or ordinance, where such publication is authorized or required by law.

Section 5. Exemptions.

A. Section 3 of this law shall not apply to contracts to acquire fee title to land or any other interest in land under any county-funded open space preservation program; under the farmland development rights program authorized by Chapter 8 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code; or under the One-Fourth-Percent County Drinking Water Protection Program authorized by Article III of the Suffolk County Charter.

B. Section 3 of this law shall not apply to change orders issued in connection with construction contracts as long as the change order does not exceed 10% of the contract price for the original underlying contract.

Section 6. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all contracts, contract amendments, contract extensions or contract modifications entered into on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-6 Local Law No. 1-1991 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds that the Department of Public Work's routinely sends out notices to utilities with property which may interfere with impending County construction projects requesting that such property be relocated.

This Legislature further finds that such notices are often disregarded or the property is not relocated in a timely fashion.

This Legislature further finds that failure on behalf of those utilities duly notified to relocate their property in a timely fashion has resulted in serious accidents which have caused the county to incur substantial liability.

Thus, it is the purpose of this law that utilities be notified to relocate their property which may interfere with county construction projects and to assess significant penalties upon those utilities which fall to comply accordingly.

§ AA-7 Local Law No. 5-1991 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the procedures described in the New York Civil Service Law apply to the displacement ("bump and retreat") of personnel in the competitive class service subject and pursuant to the civil services rules set forth in Chapter 580 of the Suffolk County Code.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the procedure on how vacancies are to be treated in the layoff process is unclear and currently appears to be left to administrative discretion which may not always be exercised in a fair, just and equitable manner.

This Legislature further finds that there is no established policy which requires that vacancies be treated as the first position abolished in a title when there are multiple abolitions in positions to be made pursuant to budgetary action.

This Legislature also finds that there is no current requirement in law that a vacancy be abolished prior to a filled position in the same title when a specific title with numerous positions is abolished.

This Legislature further determines that reclassifications of positions and the titles via the submission of the proposed County operating budget represents an effort to circumvent layoffs and bump-and-retreat provisions of the county's Civil Service Rules.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to establish a formal procedure whereby the County Department of Civil Service will implement layoffs and bump-and-retreat provisions by treating the vacancies as having been abolished first before a filled position in the same title is abolished, and to preclude reclassifications via the mere submission of a proposed County operating budget.

Section 4. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions taken to implement layoffs and bump-and-retreat provisions under Chapter 580 of the Suffolk County Code on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-8 Local Law No. 11-1991 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that, with the recent advent of a fully constituted Suffolk County Ethics Commission, the potential exists for an overlap and duplication of functions and services in the filing of appropriate financial disclosure forms by elected officials, county employees and candidates for county office.

This Legislature further finds and determines that this potential overlap and duplication of services is not cost-effective.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to streamline county government and to reduce county costs by consolidating the functions, duties and responsibilities of the County Board of Public Disclosure with the Suffolk County Ethics Commission.

Section 5. Transition provisions.

The abolition of the Suffolk County Board of Public Disclosure shall take effect July 1, 1991, and all documents on file with said Board as of July 1, 1991, shall be transferred to the Suffolk County Ethics Commission for appropriate disposition as of that date.

Section 6. Applicability.

The provisions of this law containing the deadline for filing disclosure statements shall apply commencing in 1991.

§ AA-9 Local Law No. 7-1992 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative provided intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the fees for applications filed for consideration with the Suffolk County Planning Commission for municipal zoning actions have been increased at a time when delays incurred by the applicants create an undue burden and hardship because such proposed actions become tied up in a bureaucratic nightmare of delay and red tape.

This Legislature further finds and determines that this new financial burden on developers, homeowners, businessmen and builders should at least be mitigated by a corresponding reduction in the time taken for the County Planning Commission to render final determinations on matters referred to it for consideration so that greater predictability and finality can be given to people involved in land use matters.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to impose an ironclad forty-five-day limitation on County Planning Commission reviews of such matters as variances, special permits, municipal zoning actions and/or subdivision plats, subject to the proviso that failure to act within such a period of time will result in the application being deemed approved as a matter of law as of the conclusion of such forty-five-day period.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to any variances, special permits, municipal zoning actions and/or subdivision plats referred to or filed with the Suffolk County Planning Commission on or after July 1, 1992.

§ AA-10 Local Law No. 16-1992 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Suffolk County must streamline county government in order to reduce the current budget deficit. Streamlining shall be accomplished in part through cost-saving reorganizations of certain departments.

This Legislature further finds that the transfer of vector control from the Division of Public Health in the Department of Health Services to the Department of Public Works will allow for more effective utilization of county staff and equipment. This transfer provides for flexibility in the assignment of staff who are responsible for work loads which are either seasonal in nature or have periods of peak activities. Many of the job titles utilized in vector control are also utilized in the Department of Public Works; for example, Laborer and Auto Equipment Operator. Past practice has been that vector control has offered assistance to the Department of Public Works in terms of manpower and equipment during inclement weather, particularly in the case of snow removal.

This Legislature further finds that although the authority for the county to establish a vector control program is contained within the New York State Public Health Law, this law does not mandate that vector control activities be performed under the auspices of the local Health Department. However, in the event that an arthropod-borne disease is found to constitute a major public health threat, the Department of Health Services shall directly supervise vector control. Additionally, current reimbursement received under New York State Public Health Law for vector control functions will be maintained as the Department of Health Services will retain necessary responsibilities in this regard.

Accordingly, it is the intent of this law to transfer vector control to the Department of Public Works, by amending § A9-2A of the Administrative Code and §§ C8-2 and C8-4 of the Suffolk County Charter.

Section 3. Transition provisions.

A. Any reference to the Department of Health Services, Division of Vector Control or its Vector Control Superintendent in any other resolution, local law, Charter law, ordinance, rule or regulation of the County of Suffolk or in any state or federal law, rule or regulation shall be construed in the first instance as reference to the Department of Public Works and/or the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works or the Superintendent of Vector Control as the case may be.

B. Any positions of employment within the Department of Health Services, Division of Vector Control, not abolished via prior or subsequent resolution shall be transferred so as to retain the incumbent individual in said position of employment as the individual employed in that position by the Department to which such position has been transferred.

Section 4. Records, files, property and equipment.

All records, property and equipment presently associated with and utilized in connection with the powers, functions and duties which are assigned under this law to the Division of Vector Control shall be transferred to the Department of Public Works in a timely fashion.

§ AA-11 Local Law No. 2-1993 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature finds and determines that the county will run a revenue shortfall in 1993 because of depressed tax revenues and souring state and federally mandated costs.

This Legislature further finds and determines that funding to support the continuation of Suffolk County services at current levels is unavailable and that the county must reduce both size and cost of county government and services.

This Legislature further finds and determines that a Division of Human services in the County Executive's Office should be created to encompass the functions of the Department for the Aging, Veterans Service Agency, Youth Bureau/Children's Services, Handicapped Services and Woman's Services.

Therefore, the intent of this law is to amend the Charter to abolish the Department for the Aging and the Veterans Service Agency and to transfer those departments and functions to a newly created Division of Human Services in the County Executive's Office. Furthermore, the intent of this law is to amend the Administrative Code to reflect the consolidation and establishment of the Division of Human Services. Finally, this law will make certain technical corrections in the Charter to reflect past administrative and legislative actions.

Section 3. Transition provisions.

Any employees of the Department for the Aging, Veterans Service Agency, Youth Bureau/Children's Services, Handicapped Services and Women's Services shall be transferred to the Office of the County Executive in the appropriate divisions as described herein, via appropriate resolution, to perform such duties and functions in said divisions which are substantially similar to those to be performed by the Department for the Aging, veterans Service Agency, Youth Bureau/Children's Services, Handicapped Services and Women's Services, subject to the provisions and rules of the New York Civil Service Law.

§ AA-12 Local Law No. 4-1993 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that millions of dollars worth of contracts for consulting services are expended by Suffolk County each year for specialized personal or professional services necessary to perform essential functions of Suffolk County government.

This Legislature further finds that the current economic downturn being experienced by Long Island is adversely affecting local business through a reduction in business activity and a concomitant loss of jobs.

This Legislature further finds and determines that many of these contracts are awarded to individuals or entities that are located outside both Suffolk County and Nassau County.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the award of such contracts to individuals or entities outside of both counties at a time when Suffolk County is experiencing an economic downturn and less economic activity than even neighboring Nassau County has achieved tends to exacerbate the economic difficulties currently experienced in Suffolk County.

This Legislature also determines that the award of such contracts to individuals or entities located within Suffolk County and Nassau County would help promote local economic activity and thereby generate additional sales tax revenues which would alleviate fiscal and budgetary constraints currently being experienced by Suffolk County.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to limit the award of such contracts to individuals or entities located and doing business within Suffolk County and Nassau County when practical and with the best interests of the County and to promote the use of local businesses as County consultants so as to encourage increased economic activity on Long Island by putting County tax dollars to work at home.

Section 2. Definitions. As used in this section the following definitions shall have the meanings indicated:

[Amended 10-14-2008 by L.L. No. 41-2008]

CONTRACT

Any claim, account, or demand against or agreement, other than a collective bargaining agreement, upon sufficient consideration, with Suffolk County or any divisions, departments, agencies, or entity thereof, express or implied, for the rendering or performance of personal or professional services and shall include extensions, modifications, renewals, or amendments.

CONSULTING SERVICES

The expertise, advice, professional services, or any other personal services provided by any individual, association, proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or joint venture by contract with Suffolk County, including, but not limited to, design work, planning work, medical, legal, engineering, computer, accounting, or educational services.

CONSULTANT

Any individual, association, proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or joint venture to be contracted by Suffolk County to provide expertise, advice, professional services, or any other personal services, including, but not limited to, design work, planning work, medical, legal, engineering, computer, accounting, or educational services.

LOCATED AND DOING BUSINESS WITHIN SUFFOLK COUNTY OR NASSAU COUNTY

Maintaining a place of business and a staffed, operational office at an address within the geographical boundaries of Suffolk County or Nassau County for a period of at least one year from which a majority of the employees performing the contracted for services are assigned. In the case of a joint venture, this term shall be construed to require at least one entity, in the case of a two-party venture, to maintain a place of business within Suffolk or Nassau County for a period of at least one year, and in the case of a multi-party venture, require a majority of the entities to maintain a place of business within Suffolk or Nassau County.

Section 4. Applicability.

This law shall apply to contracts awarded on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-13 Local Law No. 5-1993 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that millions of dollars worth of contracts for goods and services are awarded by Suffolk County each year.

This Legislature further finds that the current economic downturn being experienced by Long Island is adversely affecting local businesses through a reduction in business activity and a concomitant loss of jobs.

This Legislature further finds and determines that many of these contracts are awarded to individuals or entities that are located outside of Suffolk County or Nassau County.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the award of such contracts to individuals or entities outside of Suffolk County or Nassau County at a time when Suffolk County is experiencing an economic downturn and less economic activity than even neighboring Nassau County has achieved tends to exacerbate the economic difficulties currently experienced in both counties.

This Legislature also determines that the award of such contracts to individuals or entities located within Suffolk County or Nassau County would help promote local economic activity and thereby generate additional sales tax revenues which would alleviate fiscal and budgetary constraints currently being experienced by Suffolk County.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to permit Suffolk County to award contracts for goods and services to a bidder other than the lowest responsible bidder where such other bidder maintains a principal place of business within Suffolk County or Nassau County or sells the contracted for goods which were manufactured within Suffolk County or Nassau County and submits a bid not exceeding 10% more than the otherwise lowest responsible bidder so as to promote the use of local businesses as County contractors and to encourage increased economic activity on Long Island by putting County tax dollars to work at home.

Section 2. Definitions. As used in this section, the following definitions shall have the meanings indicated:

[Amended 4-15-1997 by L.L. No. 10-1997; 10-14-2008 by L.L. No. 41-2008]

CONTRACT

Any claim, account, or demand against or agreement, other than a collective bargaining agreement, upon sufficient consideration, with Suffolk County or any divisions, departments, agencies, or entity thereof, express or implied, for the rendering or performance of personal or professional services and shall include extensions, modifications, renewals, or amendments.

LOCATED AND DOING BUSINESS WITHIN SUFFOLK COUNTY OR NASSAU COUNTY

In the case of a contract for the provision of services or the construction of public works, shall mean maintaining a place of business and a staffed, operational office at an address within the geographical boundaries of Suffolk County or Nassau County for a period of at least one year, from which a majority of the employees performing the contracted for services are assigned. In the case of a contract for the purchase of supplies, materials or equipment, means maintaining a place of business and a staffed, operational office at an address within the geographical boundaries of Suffolk County or Nassau County and either i) manufacturing or producing supplies, materials or equipment in Nassau or Suffolk County, or ii) keeping a representative inventory of its supplies, materials or equipment within Suffolk County or Nassau County.

Section 4. Applicability.

This law shall apply to contracts awarded on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-14 Local Law No. 7-1993 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds that vessels have been tying up to the County bulkheading along the Shinnecock Canal for extended periods of time.

This Legislature further finds that authorizing the Department of Public Works to promulgate rules and regulations to govern the dockage of vessels to the County bulkheading along the Shinnecock Canal will have a beneficial effect on navigation in the canal as well as on the community.

Therefore, the purpose of this legislation is to provide the authority to the Department of Public Works to promulgate and enforce such rules and regulations.

§ AA-15 Local Law No. 14-1993 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that current restrictions on future employment under the Suffolk County Code of Ethics impose a two-year limitation on former County employees seeking employment in connection with any matters pending before the county, a two-year prohibition on an elected official accepting County employment after resignation from office to any office or position created during the term for which such person was elected by the body on which said person served and a two-year prohibition for elected officials on any consulting work after resignation, which does not go far enough in light of recent national proposals to tighten up on the influence of special interest groups that lobby elected officials and in light of recent incidents of influence peddling at the local level.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to extend the two-year restriction to elected officials who seek employment with certified employee organizations, which have contracts or contract negotiations with the County of Suffolk for a period of two years from his or her resignation or expiration of term in office.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-16 Local Law No. 16-1993 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the creation of boards, commissions, task forces and regulatory legislation over the past decade and a half has proliferated within the County of Suffolk, without a concomitant reduction, streamlining or elimination of such boards, commissions, task forces or regulatory legislation when the underlying purpose or justification for such entities or legislation has expired.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the continued existence of boards, commissions, task forces and regulatory legislation that no longer serve any public or governmental purpose contributes to the public perception of local government as ossified and paralyzed by constraints of red tape and an unwillingness to adjust to the fluctuating demands of the marketplace.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the enactment of Local Law No. 43-1988, a local law that abolished 10 archaic boards, commissions and task forces, constituted a positive initial step in the direction of streamlining county government.

This Legislature further determines that enactment of Local Law No. 34-1990, a local law that abolished and repealed 16 archaic boards, commissions and statutes, constituted a positive reinforcement in the direction of streamlining county government.

This Legislature also finds that cutbacks in county staffing of regulatory departments and offices such as the Division of Consumer Affairs require a corresponding curtailment of regulatory laws so that a narrowly targeted group of laws protecting the public in high-priority areas can be more effectively enforced.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to build upon the progress made in the enactment of Local Law Nos. 43-1988 and 34-1990 by abolishing and repealing additional boards, commissions and regulatory legislation that no longer receive adequate funding or no longer serve any real or apparent public purpose because of the expiration of the underlying function, responsibility, rationale, justification or purpose of such entities or regulatory legislation which have fallen into desuetude and which otherwise impose a bureaucratic stranglehold on the private affairs of the citizens of Suffolk County or which have been invalidated by courts of law but which could be revived if such court decisions were overturned. This, in turn, is intended to result in the concentration and allocation of limited county resources in those areas of regulatory concern where county involvement can have its greatest and most cost effective impact.

Section 3. Transition provisions.

The Clerk of the Suffolk County Legislature is hereby directed to notify, in writing, each of the members of the above-described boards or commissions as to the termination of their respective offices.

Section 6. Effective date,

This law shall not take effect until at least 60 days after its adoption, nor until approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified electors of the County of Suffolk voting on a proposition for its approval if, within 60 days after its adoption, there is filed with the Clerk of the County Legislature a petition protesting against this law in conformity with the provisions of § 34, Subdivision 4, of the New York Municipal Home Rule Law, and upon filing in the office of the Secretary of State.

§ AA-17 Local Law No. 28-1993 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Suffolk County's comprehensive Contractor/Vendor Public Disclosure Statement Law currently applies to a broad array of contracts that exceed $1,000 in value, subject to exemptions for contractors doing business with the County Department of Social Services; hospitals; educational, medical, and governmental entities; and not-for-profit corporations.

This Legislature further finds and determines that these exemptions prevent full disclosure of important information that may be useful to elected county officials in determining whether or not specific types of contracts are in the public interest, especially in light of recent trends towards privatization and use of outside consultants on an increased basis by municipalities.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to eliminate many of the exemptions from completing and filing verified public disclosure statements with the County Comptroller available to certain contractors providing social services or health services contracts.

§ AA-18 Local Law No. 10-1994 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk, through its Department of Social Services, is required to make public assistance payments under State law for housing accommodations of recipients of public assistance.

This Legislature hereby finds that state and local law permits the withholding of such payments under narrowly targeted circumstances that relate to the condition of such premises.

This Legislature further finds and determines that there may be instances in which such payments are being made to landlords who are in arrears on real property tax payments to the County of Suffolk.

This Legislature also finds and determines that there may be instances in which the county is making payments to vendors providing supplies, materials and/or services to the County of Suffolk who are in arrears on real property tax payments to the County of Suffolk.

This Legislature hereby determines that such payments by the County of Suffolk in such circumstances are contrary to logic, common sense and the interests of the taxpayers of Suffolk County.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to establish a formal county policy regarding payments made by the County of Suffolk in those instances in which the recipient is in arrears on real property tax payments to the County of Suffolk.

Section 2. Definitions. As used in this law, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

CONTRACT

Any claim, account or demand against or agreement, other than a collective bargaining agreement, upon sufficient consideration, with the County of Suffolk or any divisions, departments, agencies or entity thereof, express or implied, for the rendering or performance of personal, consulting or professional services; the provision of goods, supplies and materials; or the construction of public works, and shall include extensions, modifications, renewals or amendments.

CONSULTING SERVICES

The expertise, advice, professional services or any other personal services provided by any individual, association, proprietorship, partnership, corporation or joint venture by contract with Suffolk County, including but not limited to design work, planning work, medical, legal, engineering, computer, accounting or educational services.

CONSULTANT

Any individual, association, proprietorship, partnership, corporation or joint venture to be contracted by Suffolk County to provide expertise, advice, professional services or any other personal services, including but not limited to design work, planning work, medical, legal, engineering, computer, accounting or educational services.

VENDOR

Any individual, association, proprietorship, partnership, joint venture or corporation which has a contract with Suffolk County.

Section 5. Rules and regulations.

A. The Commissioner of the County Department of Social Services is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to issue and promulgate such rules and regulations as he or she shall deem necessary and appropriate to implement this local law and is hereby directed to coordinate with such county departments and agencies as shall be deemed necessary and appropriate to implement this local law.

B. The County Comptroller is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to issue and promulgate such rules and regulations as he or she shall deem necessary and appropriate to implement this local law and is hereby directed to coordinate with such county departments and agencies as shall be deemed necessary and appropriate to implement this local law.

Section 6. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law, regardless of when the arrears first accrued or materialized.

§ AA-19 Local Law No. 16-1994 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that official records are essential to the administration of local government because they contain information that keeps government programs functioning.

This Legislature also finds that it is necessary to adopt a records management program for the management and expenditure of funds to assist officials in making decisions, administering programs and providing administrative continuity to help document the delivery of services.

This Legislature further finds that it is necessary to establish a records management program to protect the legal rights of citizens and to document the historical development of government itself, the community and the people of Suffolk County.

This Legislature finds and determines that the adoption of such a program would qualify the county for state aid.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to adopt a Records Management Program for Suffolk County.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to the first expense budget submitted on or after the effective date of this law.

Section 6. Effective date.

This law shall not take effect until at least 60 days after its adoption, nor until approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified electors of the County of Suffolk voting on a proposition for its approval if within 60 days after its adoption there is a filing with the Clerk of the County Legislature a petition protesting against this law in conformity with the provisions of § 34, Subdivision 4, of the New York Municipal Home Rule Law and upon filing in the office of the Secretary of State.

§ AA-20 Local Law No. 23-1994 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the capital budget process needs to be reformed by the establishment of a formal debt policy that will prevent the use of capital debt to pay for county operating expenses.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the county's current fiscal problems are partially the result of the issuance of too much debt without the benefit of a formal county debt-service policy.

This Legislature also finds that these fiscal concerns must be addressed by concrete Legislative action to reassure the financial community that the county is prepared to take serious action to place its financial house in order and to restore prudent fiscal management to the issuance of Suffolk County's debt.

This legislature also determines that, in order to ensure and maintain the continuation of a strong credit rating, a formal debt policy stopping the capitalization of county operating expenses must be established.

This Legislature determines that the capital budget process should be an effective fiscal planning tool; that, according to the Legislative Office of Budget Review, approximately 20% of a given year's capital borrowing is used to pay for recurring expenses which, if paid from the operating budget, would save the county millions of dollars per year in interest costs; that the short-term incentive for funding these projects by issuing debt instruments is to put these payments off to future year operating budgets; that this trend should be reversed; that recurring expenses should not be bonded; and that the phase-out of bonding recurring expenses should commence in 1995.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to make the capital program and budget approval and appropriation process more meaningful and more responsive to the needs of the public and its ability to accommodate increased future debt service payments by stopping debt service payments for county operating expenses.

Section 2. Definitions.

OBLIGATIONS

Serial bonds, sinking fund bonds and bond anticipation notes.

RECURRING EXPENSES

Those expenses that are in the nature of repair and maintenance and do not significantly increase the useful life of an asset, including but not limited to any dredging project that has an aggregate cost (measured by individual project site) of $100,000 or less; road and equipment repair; roof replacements; and equipment purchases which, although they do not occur in the same location or department each year, are costs that are incurred on an annual basis whose per item price is $5,000 or less; the aggregate cost of which is less than $25,000; and whose useful life is five years or fewer. In the past, such items have included computers, nine-millimeter semiautomatic handguns and soft body armor vests, for example.

[Amended 6-11-1996 by L.L. No. 17-1996; 2-11-1997 by L.L. No. 9-1997]

Section 5. Applicability.

This law shall apply to any actions taken on the capital budget and/or program on or after the effective date of this law.

Section 8. Effective date.

This law shall not take effect until at least 60 days after its adoption, nor until approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified electors of the County of Suffolk voting on a proposition for its approval if within 60 days after its adoption there is filed with the Clerk of the County Legislature a petition protesting against this law in conformity with the provisions of § 34, Subdivision 4, of the New York Municipal Home Rule Law and upon filing in the office of the Secretary of State.

§ AA-21 Local Law No. 2-1995 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that vacancies on the Suffolk County Health Facilities Commission have not been filled since December 1, 1986.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the last meeting of the Suffolk County Health Facilities Commission was held in 1986 and that no meetings have been held since then because of the County Executive's failure to exercise his constitutional duty to make such appointments and fill such vacancies.

This Legislature also finds and determines that Legislative oversight is necessary in order to restore the Commission to a functional level and to meet the needs and concerns articulated by the county's professional Commissioner of Health Services.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to restore the functional integrity of this Commission by changing the manner in which appointments to the Suffolk County Health Facilities Commission are made from County Executive appointments to appointments made by an independent County Legislature.

Section 3. Applicability.

A. Any outstanding prior appointment shall be deemed terminated as of July 1, 1994.

B. This law shall apply to appointments occurring on or after the effective date of this law, and the initial terms of office shall commence as of February 1, 1995.

§ AA-22 Local Law No. 11-1995 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Local Law No. 28-1994, as amended, currently provides for a Suffolk County Youth Board Coordinating Council including nine citizen members from regions formed by combining Suffolk County legislative districts.

In order to provide greater representation on the board of the diverse interests found in Suffolk County, it would be beneficial to provide a representative on the Board from each legislative district, rather than to require that one citizen be selected from each region, made up of one legislative district.

Accordingly, the purpose of this law is to authorize the County Executive to appoint one citizen from each legislative district, based upon the recommendation of the local legislator.

§ AA-23 Local Law No. 29-1995 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the interrelationship between the Tax Expenditure Cap, Tax Rate Levy Cap and the Tax Levy Cap, each of which has been approved by the electorate as Local Law Nos. 21-1983, 29-1986 and 38-1989, respectively, together with the Fund Balance Law (Local Law No. 28-1991), colloquially referred to as the "Kurtter Law," has changed the focus of budget deliberations and debate from the allocation of resources to advanced mathematics because of each of the caps may be interpreted differently or may now have slightly conflicting or overlapping effects.

This Legislature further finds and determines that such tax and spending cap legislation does serve a useful public purpose by acting as a deterrent and a restraint on excessive spending or excessive taxing policies when fully implemented on a readily understandable and comprehensive basis.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the imposition of a single, across-the-board stringent tax levy and expenditure cap, coupled with rational reserve fund limitations, instead of the restrictions contained in Local Law No. 28-1991, will best serve the purposes of tax restraint and tax limitation in Suffolk County.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the County Executive recommended, on February 4, 1992, that "I am proposing that the operating budget be adopted in a manner that segregates the nonmandated portion from the portion that is required by state and federal mandates."

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to establish a simplified and unified limitation on county taxes and county spending, coupled with a delineation between mandated and discretionary county expenditures and the level of real property taxes necessary to support each of these two components.

Section 5. Applicability.

This law shall apply to each and every budget submitted on or after the effective date of this law.

Section 8. Form of proposition.

The question to be submitted to the electorate pursuant to Section 9 of this law shall read as follows:

"Shall Resolution No. 870-1994, Adopting A Charter Law to Unify and Simplify the 4% County Expenditure and Tax Caps and Require a Separate Vote on Mandated and Discretionary County Budgets, Be Approved"?

Section 9. Effective date.

This law shall not take effect until the first day of the first fiscal year after its approval by the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified electors of the County of Suffolk voting upon a proposition for its approval in conformity with the provisions of § 34 of the New York Municipal Home Rule Law. After approval by the electorate, this law, as well as any other law converted into a mandatory referendum pursuant to § 34, Subdivision 4, of the New York, Municipal Home Rule Law, by a vote of the County Legislature, may only be amended, modified, repealed or altered by enactment of an appropriate Charter laws subject to mandatory referendum in accordance with prevailing laws.

§ AA-24 Local Law No. 4-1996 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that lobbyists who appear before agencies, departments, commissions and/or boards of the County of Suffolk, the County Executive and/or the Suffolk County Legislature often exercise an influence disproportionate to the actual interests they represent within the Suffolk County community.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the county's current lobbyist registration law has gone a long way towards enhancing the integrity of the decision making process in Suffolk County government by requiring registration and monitoring of lobbyists who appear before Suffolk County government.

This Legislature also determines that additional steps are necessary at all levels of government to restrict the capability of lobbyists to unfairly influence the government decision making process.

This Legislature hereby affirms its awareness of federal laws which prohibit all corporate solicitations and donations and the solicitations and donations of all persons contracting with the United States government, as well as state laws pertaining to political contributions. This Legislature finds that supplementary legislation in the County of Suffolk will bolster the People's confidence in the integrity of the political system.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that elected representatives of the Suffolk County Legislature, together with the County Executive, must periodically act to approve or disapprove matters for which lobbyists receive compensation from their clients.

This Legislature also finds that other elected county officials and/or their employees are required, as a function of their duties and responsibilities as public officers, to approve, regulate, manage or vote on the merit of various proposals supported by lobbyists on behalf of their clients.

This Legislature further finds and determines that contributions or gifts by or on behalf of such lobbyists create an inherent tension and conflict between such lobbyists and such elected officials who are then obligated to act upon requests to grant economic or financial benefits to the clients of lobbyists. This conflict, in turn, erodes public confidence in the integrity of county government and undermines public support for governmental institutions in this county in general.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to further enhance this monitoring capacity by prohibiting lobbyists from entertaining elected officials or county employees, by extending lobbyist disclosure to the time of consideration of actual pending legislation or county initiatives, extending the disclosure of lobbyists' clients during consideration of pending county legislation or initiatives and by prohibiting gifts or political campaign contributions by registered lobbyists to elected officials, candidates for office or employees of the County of Suffolk so as to ensure that county decisions on governmental issues are decided on the merits rather than on the basis of influence by special interests.

Section 5. Applicability.

This law shall apply to any legislation or initiatives pending before the Suffolk County Legislature or any county agency on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-25 Local Law No. 8-1996 provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Suffolk County's truth-in nepotism hiring statute promotes confidence in the integrity of Suffolk County by ensuring full disclosure of County hiring of relatives of elected officials or appointed officials with the power to hire, fire or promote when a position is being filled or promotions are being granted for positions that are not being filled or promoted pursuant to civil service competitive examination.

This Legislature further finds that such annual reporting would also enhance enforcement of this legislation.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to require an annual filing with the County Legislature and the Suffolk County Ethics Commission by individuals whose relatives are hired pursuant to the requirements of the truth-in-nepotism statute.

Section 4. Applicability.

This law shall apply to any hiring or promoting that occurs on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-26 Local Law No. 9-1996 provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the anti-nepotism provisions of Article VI of the Suffolk County Administrative Code have gone a long way in ensuring public confidence in the integrity of County personnel practices by requiring legislative approval of the hiring or promoting of the relatives of County officials who are assigned positions not subject to competitive examinations, pursuant to New York Civil Service Law.

This Legislature further finds that and determines that a potential for serious conflict of interest is not covered by this statute in that relatives of individuals serving as Judges in Suffolk County, who have the opportunity to rule on matters of great significance and importance to Suffolk County government, County officials and the public at large, are not covered by anti-nepotism provisions because Judges are not County officials.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to bar the hiring of relatives of Suffolk County Judges by Suffolk County government in positions not being filled pursuant to New York Civil Service Law competitive examinations so as to prevent the kind of real or apparent conflict of interest that undermines public confidence in the integrity of our judicial system.

Section 4. Applicability.

This law shall apply to any hiring or promotion that occurs on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-27 Local Law No. 16-1996 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds that pursuant to New York General Municipal Law § 239-m, Subdivision (4)(a), a County planning agency is empowered to render a report indicating that a municipal zoning action has no significant countywide or intercommunity impact.

Accordingly, it is the purpose of this law to amend relevant sections of Article XIV of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to grant the Suffolk County Planning Commission the option to render a report indicating that a municipal zoning action has no significant countywide or intercommunity impact.

§ AA-28 Local Law No. 18-1996 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that § 400.00 of the New York Penal Law specifically delineates the types of licenses to be issued by municipal licensing officers for firearms.

This Legislature further finds that the Suffolk County Police Department has, over the years, as the local licensing officer for the western-end portion of Suffolk County, exceeded these standards by imposing restrictions or conditions on licenses to the detriment of firearms licensees.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to require that all the licensing officers for firearms in Suffolk County adhere strictly to state law when issuing firearms licenses.

Section 3. Applicability.

A. This law shall apply to any actions taken on or after the effective date of this law.

B. Any license issued, pursuant to § 400.00 of the New York Penal Law, prior to the effective date of this law, shall continue in full force and effect until its expiration date, anything in this law to the contrary notwithstanding. Upon the expiration of said license, the local licensing authority for firearms, designated under § 265.00, Subdivision 10, of the New York Penal Law, shall, upon determining that the individual applying for a license renewal is eligible for such renewal, convert, where necessary, such license into one of the types of licenses set forth in § 400.00, Subdivision 2, of the New York Penal Law, in conformity with the provisions of this law.

§ AA-29 Local Law No. 24-1996 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the current composition of the Space Management Steering Committee is currently tilted in favor of the executive branch of government.

This Legislature further finds that this imbalance has led to decisions that are occasionally not in the best economic, financial and/or fiscal interests of the County of Suffolk.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to restore a balance between the executive and legislative representation on the Space Management Steering Committee.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to any actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-30 Local Law No. 5-1997 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the current composition of the Information Processing Planning Committee is currently tilted in favor of the executive branch of government.

This Legislature further finds that this imbalance has led to decisions that are occasionally not in the best economic, financial and/or fiscal interests of the County of Suffolk.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to restore a balance between the executive and legislative representation on the Information Processing Planning Committee.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to any actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-31 Local Law No. 6-1997 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Suffolk County has provided the total sum of more than $85,000 in funding to the Long Island Maritime Museum in 1994 and 1995, pursuant to Resolution Nos. 432-1994, 909-1994 and 1246-1995, together with participation in the county's self-insurance program pursuant to Resolution No. 853-1995.

This Legislature further finds that the County of Suffolk deserves representation on the museum's Board of Trustees since the county has appropriated funding for renovations to the museum's buildings in West Sayville and for cultural affairs, while also extending the benefits of the county's self-insurance program to said museum.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to ensure adequate county representation at the museum by requiring legislative approval of three members of the Maritime Museum's Board of Trustees (i.e., the Commissioner of the County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation or his or her designee: the Chairman of the Parks and Public Works Committee of the County Legislature or his or her designee; and one additional member) and to eliminate the requirement that Suffolk County provide operating personnel to the museum.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to any appointments occurring or agreements entered into on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-32 Local Law No. 7-1997 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that it would be just and equitable to authorize the county to pay equitable claims made by taxpayers who paid a late fee of $100 for the late payment of taxes pursuant to County Resolution No. 786-1992. In a legal proceeding entitled "Sand Hill Associates v. Suffolk County Legislature, et al.," the Appellate Division, Second Department, affirmed the lower court, which held that the collection of that fee was invalid. The Court of Appeals denied a motion for leave to appeal, and therefore there has been a final legal determination invalidating that portion of Resolution No. 786-1992 which imposed the late fee of $100 for the late payment of taxes. The court determination only requires that those taxpayers who are able to establish that their payment of this fee was made under protest would be able to recover that fee, plus interest.

This Legislature further finds and determines that it would be just and equitable to pay and/or compromise claims of those taxpayers who paid the late fee of $100, without interest, for the late payment of taxes pursuant to Resolution No. 786-1992 but did not make such payments under protest.

Section 3. Applicability.

A. This law shall apply only to equitable claims made by taxpayers who paid a late fee of $100 for the late payment of taxes pursuant to Resolution No. 786-1 992 (Budget Amendment No. 1).

B. The county is hereby authorized pursuant to the Local Finance Law to finance the monies required to implement this article.

§ AA-33 Local Law No. 10-1997 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds that the definition contained in L.L. No. 5-1993 pertaining to businesses located within Suffolk County or Nassau County is overly restrictive and unintentionally precludes some local businesses from qualifying as a local business under the law.

Accordingly, the purpose of this law is to amend the relevant definition of a local business to allow broader participation by the companies in Suffolk and Nassau Counties, as this Legislature had originally intended.

§ AA-34 Local Law No. 19-1997 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the requirements of § A8-6B and C of the Suffolk County Code, pertaining to consulting firms retained by the County of Suffolk for the management and operation of certain sewage treatment plants, are unduly burdensome, costly and unwarranted.

This Legislature further finds that these requirements have resulted in quotations from potential consulting sewage operation and maintenance firms of 170% to 385% above the costs that the Department of Public Works considers necessary for the proper operation and maintenance of said plants.

This Legislature further finds that, since the County Department of Public Works has Charter responsibility for county-owned and/or county-operated sewage treatment plants, reports filed by consulting firms retained by the County of Suffolk for the management and operation of such sewage treatment plants should properly be filed with the County Department of Public Works.

This Legislature further finds that automated, computerized controls and alarm systems make the full-time presence of sewage treatment plant operators unnecessary. Of the 22 sewage treatment plants operated by the County Department of Public Works, a certified treatment plant operator is present during all hours of operation only at the thirty-and-five-tenths-million-gallon-per-day Bergen Point plant at the Southwest Sewer District. A full-time, certified operator is not maintained at any of the other twenty-one sewage treatment plants operated by the County Department of Public Works, which range in capacity from 0.000,035 gallons per day to 2,500,000 gallons per day.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend L.L. No. 7-1989 (§ A8-6 of the Suffolk County Code) to clarify the responsibilities of the Department of Public Works when the Department contracts for services for the management, operation and/or maintenance of a county-owned and/or county-operated sewage treatment plant and/or scavenger waste treatment plant.

Section 4. Applicability.

This law shall apply to any sewage treatment plants owned by the County and operated by a consulting firm.

§ AA-35 Local Law No. 20-1997 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the Suffolk County Department of Health Services currently provides services in public health, patient care, alcohol and substance abuse, mental health services, environmental quality, emergency medical services, forensic sciences, a skilled nursing facility and education of preschool children with disabilities, each of which represents the most fundamental exercise of municipal power in protecting the public health and safety of its residents.

This Legislature further finds that the provision of these essential services is so vital and important to the health, safety and well-being of the citizens of Suffolk County, that any initiative to provide the delivery of any such services through an alternative entity should be subject to the highest and strictest level of scrutiny available to ensure that an informed decision-making process is applied to the examination of any privatization initiative for the County Department of Health Services.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to establish a procedure for consideration of any initiatives to replace services provided by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services with services provided by another entity (quasi-public or private) that will ensure the highest level of scrutiny to any such proposal.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to any plan, initiative or proposal designed to provide services which are being provided by County employees as of the effective date of this law through the use of noncounty employees, which is considered by the County of Suffolk and/or County Legislature on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-36 Local Law No. 33-1997 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk currently maintains millions of official records having historical and legal significance in various forms of media, including bound volumes, paper, microfilm, microfiche, optical disk, magnetic disk, videotape and audiotape.

This Legislature further finds that the advent of electronic records and the ever-changing format of such records necessitates a uniform manner of retention among county offices, departments and agencies. This Legislature also determines that the County of Suffolk has recently suffered several natural disasters which damaged official government records, thus posing a threat to their retention as required by the CO-1 Retention Schedule, as promulgated by the New York State Education Department and adopted as Suffolk County Local Law No. 16-1994.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the County Clerk's duties, as the duly designated Records Management Officer for Suffolk County, would be benefited by the establishment of an advisory committee to help him maintain the Records Management Program.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to establish a Records Management Advisory Committee, consisting of seven members, to assist the County Clerk in the Records Management Program for Suffolk County.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to any action occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

Section 6. Effective date.

This law shall not take effect until at least 60 days after its adoption nor until approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified electors of the County of Suffolk voting on a proposition for its approval if within 60 days after its adoption there is a filing with the Clerk of the County Legislature a petition protesting against this law in conformity with the provisions of § 34(4) of the New York Municipal Home Rule Law and upon filing in the office of the Secretary of State.

§ AA-37 Local Law No. 4-1998 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Local Law No. 7-1997 authorized the county to refund the $100 application fee, without interest, to taxpayers who made delinquent real property tax payments, pursuant to a court decision in a proceeding entitled "Sand Hill Associates, et al., v. Suffolk County Legislature, et al," as long as the request is made in writing no later than six months subsequent to the effective date of the law, i.e., October 23, 1997.

This Legislature further finds that there may be a large number of property owners who have not yet applied for a refund of this money, either because they have not been informed that they may do so, or because they cannot locate their receipts.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to extend the deadline for the payment of such refunds to December 31, 1998, with an overall limit of authorized refunds of $150,000 during 1998.

Section 3. Applicability.

Refunds authorized under § A15-15 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code shall be limited to payments of $150,000, in the aggregate, during 1998.

§ AA-38 Local Law No. 5-1998 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds that recent developments pointing toward a build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels and other fuels will result in a greenhouse effect that reduces the amount of heat the earth radiates into the atmosphere, thereby raising global temperatures.

This Legislature further finds that the planting of shade trees, on a maximum extent basis, can reduce the use of fossil fuels for air conditioning, thereby reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide.

This Legislature also finds and determines that a program of annual tree and shrub plantings along any roadways, to the extent of available authorized appropriations, should be fully implemented to further enhance the quality of life and the overall aesthetics of Suffolk County.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to is to impose a requirement for the planting of shade trees, based on a reasonable formula, at all County construction projects, and also to further ensure the full implementation of an annual tree and shrub planting program along County roadways to the extent of available authorized appropriations.

Section 2. Definitions.

SHADE TREES

Norway Maple, Oriental Plane trees, Loraine Locust, and Acer Rubrum trees.

Section 4. Applicability.

This law shall apply to construction projects, the specifications of which are prepared on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-39 Local Law No. 15-1998 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that recent revelations regarding allegations of cheating on Suffolk County police examinations have resulted in a Special County Committee recommending that § 50 New York Civil Service Law proceedings be brought against at least 55 Suffolk County police officers to disqualify them as candidates or connection with the possible termination of said individuals if found to have engaged in a tern of cheating.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the Special Committee formed by the Police Commissioner to investigate these allegations of cheating from within the County does not deal with the need for a long-term policy designed to prevent even the appearance of impropriety from repeating itself in the future.

This Legislature also finds and determines that it is imperative to restore public confidence in the integrity of the County Police Department by establishing an ironclad ban on participation by law-enforcement personnel in the preparation of candidates for such civil service examinations.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to prohibit any law-enforcement personnel from participating in the preparation or training (nonphysical) of any candidates to take such law-enforcement civil service examinations.

Section 3. Penalties.

A. Any person who intentionally violates any provision of Section 2 of this law shall be guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less $5,000 nor more than $10,000 or up to one-year imprisonment, or both. Each such violation shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.

B. Any person who intentionally violates any provision of this law shall also be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000 for each violation. Each such violation shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.

C. Any intentional violation shall be a basis for a disciplinary proceeding or termination of employment.

Section 4. Applicability.

This law shall apply to any activities occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-40 Local Law No. 17-1998 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the county's operating budget process is in need of reform because additional financial data is needed to make the budget process more responsive to the needs of the Legislature and the concerns of the public.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Suffolk County is facing numerous multiyear budgetary challenges including stabilizing funding for the sewers; welfare reform; depletion of tax stabilization reserve funds; tremendous economic growth that has occurred in the county; the growth in demand for services that has occurred because of demographic, sociological and environmental needs; the gradual aging out of the population; the epidemic of drug abuse; the expansion of health benefits; utility costs; and the need to preserve the county's groundwater.

This Legislature further finds that the continued cooperation between the Suffolk County Legislature's Budget Review Office and the County Executive's Budget Office to deal with financial forecasts and issues are imperative to the continued financial stability of Suffolk County, as well as the ability to be able to both quickly and effectively respond to the needs of the public.

This Legislature also determines that it is in the best interests of the county to develop multiyear financial plans including multiyear operating budget forecasts.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to formalize a working relationship between the Suffolk County Legislature's Budget Review Office and the County Executive's Budget Office and to require the two offices to develop multiyear budget and financial plans.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to any operating budget submitted on or after the effective date of this law.

Section 6. Effective date.

This law shall not take effect until at least 60 days after its adoption, nor until approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified electors of the County of Suffolk voting on a proposition for its approval if within 60 days after its adoption there is filed with the Clerk of the County Legislature a petition protesting against this law in conformity with the provisions of § 34, Subdivision 4, of the New York Municipal Home Rule Law and upon filing in the office of the Secretary of State.

§ AA-41 Local Law No. 13-1999 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the Space Management Steering Committee has not been meeting frequently enough and that it lacks the appropriate diversity of background and experience necessary to properly and efficiently allocate scarce County space on a priority basis.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to reorganize the operation of the Space Management Steering Committee so that it will more efficiently and effectively allocate scarce County space on a priority basis.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to any actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-42 Local Law No. 26-1999 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that individuals who take competitive civil service examinations for police officer positions should each rise or fall on the merits of their own individual test scores and not be lumped together with others who may have scored lower or higher through the concept known as "test banding."

This Legislature also finds and determines that the use of such as banding compromises the integrity of the competitive civil service examination process by allowing the employment of individuals with lower scores within a particular band at the expense of individuals who scored higher within the band.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the anti-nepotism provisions of Article VI of the Suffolk County Administrative Code have gone a long way in ensuring public confidence in the integrity of county personnel practices by requiring legislative approval of the hiring or promoting of the relatives of county officials who are assigned positions not subject to competitive examinations, pursuant to New York Civil Service Law.

This Legislature also finds and determines that police test banding should be limited to the legitimate purpose of enhancing minority hiring.

This Legislature also further finds and determines that Suffolk County's antinepotism law has done a good job of protecting Suffolk County against potential abuses that might otherwise arise out of the hiring or promotion of relatives of high ranking county officials for positions of employment filled pursuant to civil service examinations.

This Legislature further finds that a potential for serious conflict of interest is not covered by this statute in that relatives of individuals serving as police officials in Suffolk County, who have the opportunity to act on matters of great significance and importance in Suffolk County government, are not covered by anti-nepotism provisions.

This Legislature further determines that, although hiring and promotional restrictions are generally stringent, additional limitations on the promotion of such relatives of county police officials are necessary to restore shattered public confidence in the integrity of the selection process for the hiring of police officials on a promotional or supervisory basis.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to limit the use of police test banding to the legitimate purpose of enhancing minority hiring and to extend existing anti-nepotism provisions of county law to County Police Department supervisors, exempt personnel, and administrators who are relatives of county police officials who are above the rank of police officer.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to any hiring that occurs on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-43 Local Law No. 27-1999 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the merging of the separate Divisions of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services and Community Mental Health Services into one division within the Department of Health Services would provide for greater efficiency and thereby benefit the citizens of Suffolk County.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the consolidation of these divisions would allow for the creative use of personnel.

This Legislature further finds and determines that this merger would ease and facilitate the oversight of the many contractual relationships between the county and community agencies that provide both mental health and alcohol and substance abuse services.

This Legislature further finds and determines that patients who utilize the services provided by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services would be better served, especially those multi-diagnosed individuals with addiction, mental health or developmental disability problems.

§ AA-44 Local Law No. 33-1999 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that § C15-2B of the Suffolk County Charter requires that the County Department of Finance and Taxation, or any successor department thereto, receive and have custody of all public funds belonging to or handled by the County of Suffolk.

This Legislature also finds and determines that § 550(2) of the New York County Law requires the County Department of Finance and Taxation, or any successor department thereto, to receive and be custodian of all money belonging to the County or to which the County has an interest and to ". . . keep a true account of all receipts and expenditures in books provided . . . at the expense of the county."

This Legislature further finds that the State Comptroller's Report of Examination for the County of Suffolk, for examination field work completed January 28, 1994 (released by the state on July 8, 1994), states that the comparison of deposits in certain departmental bank accounts with pledged collateral disclosed that, while certain banks had pledged sufficient collateral to cover deposits in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) coverage, other banks had not pledged any collateral or had not pledged sufficient collateral to secure deposits. If collateral is not sufficient, then securities would not be available for liquidation in the case of default on the part of a depository, and departmental funds could be lost.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the State Comptroller's Report of Examination for the County of Suffolk for examination field work, completed January 28, 1994 (released by the state on July 8, 1994), states that certain departments did not periodically monitor the adequacy and sufficiency of the collateral.

This Legislature also finds that recent revelations regarding the manner in which forfeiture funds and other departmental accounts are held by the County of Suffolk creates a real potential for impropriety or inadvertent error in the handling of such funds.

This Legislature also finds and determines that recent public disclosures have identified inexcusable delays in the deposit of funds received for payments of sewer charges and/or assessments.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to reform the banking practices of Suffolk County so as to provide greater scrutiny, tighter control and better protection over departmental accounts, to ensure a full accounting of all public funds belonging to or handled by the County of Suffolk; and to encourage banks to engage in consumer-friendly activities by having the County of Suffolk grant incentives to any bank, financial or lending institution that abides by certain consumer protection standards.

Section 2. Definitions.

CONTRACT

Any binding agreement for the deposit of any moneys received by the County Comptroller with a depositary.

[Amended 6-17-2014 by L.L. No. 32-2014]

DEPOSITORY

A bank or trust company that accepts deposits, grants loans or engages in the extension of credit.

[Amended 5-13-2008 by L.L. No. 14-2008]

DOING BUSINESS

Conducting, performing or exercising, either individually or in a syndicated credit, the ordinary functions and activities for which a depositary or lending institution or investment institution is organized.

EXTENSION OF CREDIT

Loan; credit sales; the supplying of funds through the underwriting, distribution or acquisition of securities; the making or assisting in the making of a direct placement; or otherwise participating in the offering, distribution or acquisition of securities for any general purpose.

LOAN

Any loan that is specified for a targeted, limited, specific purpose and where there is a documented effort to verify that the proceeds of the loan are dedicated for such specific purpose; any general purpose loan which can be used for any purpose at the sole discretion of the borrower; and/or any type of credit, including credit extended in connection with a credit sale.

Section 7. Applicability.

A. Sections 4 and 5 of this law shall apply to all public funds received by the County of Suffolk subsequent to the effective date of this law. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as ratifying any willful or intentional violation of law or procedure that may have occurred in connection with the receipt of public funds prior to the effective date of this law.

B. Section 6 of this law shall apply to all contracts entered into on or after October 1, 1999, and to such existing contacts as may contain a right of termination by the County of Suffolk upon notice.

§ AA-45 Local Law No. 37-1999 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the existing provisions of the Initiative and Referendum Law in Suffolk County subvert the original intent of that legislation to allow Suffolk County residents to write and enact their own amendments to the Suffolk County Charter by imposing too stringent a requirement for the number of signatures to be obtained on petitions necessary to initiate the initiative and referendum process.

This Legislature further finds that the procedural niceties and technicalities of that law create so many roadblocks as to impede the ability of the average citizen to effectuate such amendments through ballot box proposals.

Therefore, the purpose of this Charter Law is to streamline the initiative and referendum process so as to grant necessary rights and powers to average people within Suffolk County sufficient to allow them to become true "Citizen-Legislators" who can express the will of the people through direct participatory democracy by eliminating procedural obstacles that might otherwise impede a successful initiative and referendum process.

Section 2. Amendment to County Charter.

Resolution No. 571-1999, Charter Law Amending Article VII of the Suffolk County Charter to Reduce Signature Threshold for Initiative and Referendum Process, adopted by the County Legislature on June 29, 1999, and signed by the County Executive on July 28, 1999, is hereby repealed in its entirety.

Section 4. Form of proposition.

The proposition to be submitted at the general election pursuant to Section 8 of this law shall be in the following form:

"Shall Resolution No. 855-1999, Adopting a County Charter Law to Simplify and Streamline Procedural Requirements for Direct Citizen-Sponsored County Legislative Initiatives, Subject to Voter Approval, Be Approved?"

Section 5. Applicability.

This law shall apply to petitions filed on or after the effective date of this law.

Section 8. Effective date.

This law shall take effect immediately upon filing in the office of the Secretary of State, if it is approved by an affirmative vote of the qualified electors of the County of Suffolk voting upon a proposition for its approval at the next general election in conformity with the provisions of Section 34 of the NEW YORK MUNICIPAL HOME RULE LAW, except that Section 2(I) of this law shall take effect immediately.

§ AA-46 Local Law No. 5-2000 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that a recent incident regarding a matter referred to the Suffolk County Planning Commission in connection with the proposed development of very environmentally sensitive land raises a concern that pertinent background information in the possession of County officials may not be reaching the Planning Commission before it makes a final determination.

This Legislature also finds and determines that it would be beneficial to secure input and pertinent background information from the widest range of agencies and individuals with regard to matters referred to the Suffolk County Planning Commission in connection with proposed development of environmentally sensitive land before the Planning Commission makes a final determination.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to formalize a procedure for the dissemination of all pertinent background information to the County Planning Commission before it takes final action on matters within its jurisdiction.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to any matters referred to the Suffolk County Planning Commission on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-47 Local Law No. 30-2000 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that promoting the Francis S. Gabreski Airport at Westhampton Beach represents a County asset with the potential to further enhance economic development for the County of Suffolk.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to transfer supervision and management of the Francis S. Gabreski Airport at Westhampton Beach from the County Department of Public Works to the County Department of Economic Development.

Section 3. Transition provisions.

A. Any reference to the County Department of Public Works or Commissioner thereof in any other resolution, local law, Charter law, ordinance, rule or regulation of the County of Suffolk or in any state or federal law, rule or regulation in connection with the Francis S. Gabreski Airport shall be construed in the first instance as reference to the County Department of Economic Development or Commissioner thereof, as the case may be, anything in any other laws or regulations to the contrary notwithstanding.

B. Any positions of employment within the Suffolk County Department of Public Works relating to the Francis S. Gabreski Airport shall be abolished and/or transferred to the County Department of Economic Development, via appropriate resolution, as of January 1, 2001. Any positions of employment within the Suffolk County Department of Public Works relating to the Francis S. Gabreski Airport, transferred via prior or subsequent appropriate resolution, shall be transferred so as to retain the incumbent individual in said position of employment as the individual so employed in that position by the Department of Economic Development to which such position has been transferred by resolution.

C. Any reference to the County Department of Public Works in connection with the Francis S. Gabreski Airport, in any chapter of the Suffolk County Code, shall be construed as reference to the County Department of Economic Development, and any reference in said Code to the Commissioner of said Department in connection with the Francis S. Gabreski Airport shall be construed to mean the Commissioner of Economic Development, as the case may be.

D. All County departments, offices and agencies shall cooperate fully with the Commissioner of Economic Development, or her or his designee, in all phases of implementing the provisions of this Charter law.

Section 4. Transfer of records, property and equipment.

All records, property and equipment presently associated with and utilized in connection with the powers, functions and duties to be assigned under this law shall be transferred to the pertinent department in a timely fashion.

Section 5. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after January 1, 2001.

§ AA-48 Local Law No. 10-2001 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that actions by the Suffolk County Planning Commission have enormous impact on the land use policies of Suffolk County; the aesthetics of Suffolk County; the quality of life in Suffolk County; the public health of the residents of Suffolk County; environmental protection in Suffolk County; preservation of Suffolk County's groundwater; the air quality in Suffolk County; and the protection of Suffolk County's air, water and land resources.

This Legislature further finds and determines that formal records of Planning Commission proceedings should be maintained to allow an informed, intelligent and public debate of issues of such a magnitude.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to require the Suffolk County Planning Commission to maintain verbatim minutes of its meetings.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions and meetings occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-49 Local Law No. 24-2001 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

The purpose of this law is to conform the fee schedule with the current costs of provision of services administered by the County Real Property Tax Service Agency and the County Clerk.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all instruments affecting or pertaining to the title of land filed on or after January 1, 2002.

Resolution No. 473-2002:

By Res. No. 473-2002, adopted 5-21-2002, this Board was reconstituted, with the following provisions:

A. That the initial terms of the members of the reconstituted Board shall be as follows:

Member No.	Term
1	January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2003
2	January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2003
3	January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2003
4	January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2003
5	January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2003
6	January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2004
7	January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2004
8	January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2004
9	January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2004
10	January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2004
11	January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2005
12	January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2005
13	January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2005
14	January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2005
15	January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2005

B. That all appointments and reappointments shall indicate the member number in the authorizing resolution.

C. That all subsequent terms shall be for four years.

D. That all subsequent terms shall begin on January 1 and shall expire on December 31st.

E. That all vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms.

§ AA-50 Local Law No. 8-2002 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the Suffolk County Code of Ethics has fostered the public's trust in the integrity of Suffolk County Government.

This Legislature further finds and determines that expanding the breadth of conduct covered by the Code of Ethics would further enhance that trust.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to expand the Suffolk County Ethics Code to include conduct which may have an appearance of impropriety.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to any entity subject to the provisions of the Suffolk County Ethics Code on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-51 Local Law No. 20-2002 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Local Law 25-1998, "A Charter Law Authorizing Public Financing of County Election Campaigns with Tax Check-Off System and Ethics Reform for Campaign Financing," adopted a voluntary public financing program for the election of candidates to the office of County Legislator, County Treasurer, County Executive, County Comptroller, and District Attorney, a component of which is a requirement that the Suffolk County Campaign Finance Board develop a computer database that shall contain all information necessary for the proper administration of the law, including information on contributions to and expenditures by candidates and their authorized committees and distributions of moneys from the Campaign Finance Fund, with such database to be accessible to the public.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the Suffolk County Campaign Finance Board is often unable to obtain the necessary information on a timely basis to develop and maintain a computer database that the public could access to review campaign contributions and expenditures made by candidates and their authorized committees.

This Legislature further finds and determines that, if such information were provided directly to the Suffolk County Campaign Finance Board, it would have immediate access to the data and the County Board of Elections would no longer be required to make and send copies of each filing to the County Campaign Finance Board.

This Legislature also finds and determines that there would be very little additional cost to candidates and their designated committees as a result of filing financial disclosures directly with the County Campaign Finance Board, the cost of which would only consist of making an extra copy of the required filing and mailing or delivering it to the Campaign Finance Board.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to facilitate full public disclosure of County election campaign finances by requiring that every elected County official and candidate for County elected office, and any political committee supporting such official or candidate, simultaneously file their periodic County Campaign Finance Reports with the Suffolk County Campaign Finance Board when they submit this information to the Suffolk County Board of Elections and to then file it via e-mail, instead of manually, with the Suffolk County Campaign Finance Board as soon as the technology and procedures are in place for placement on the Internet.

Section 3. Applicability.

A. This law shall apply to statements of campaign receipts, contributions, transfers, and expenditures required to be filed on or after January 1, 2003. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as requiring compliance with § A30-11B of the Suffolk County Administrative Code for statements of campaign receipts, contributions, transfers, and expenditures required to be filed prior to January 1, 2003. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as requiring compliance, on a retroactive basis, with § 30-11B of the Suffolk County Administrative Code for statements of campaign receipts, contributions, transfers, and expenditures required to be filed on or after January 1, 2003, in those instances and for those periods of time in which the Treasurer of a political committee filed a sworn statement demonstrating that the political committee did not have access to the technology necessary for electronic filing and that such electronic filing would constitute a substantial hardship to the political committee under Subsection B of this section.

B. This law shall not apply to a political committee whose Treasurer files a sworn statement which demonstrates that the political committee does not have access to the technology necessary for electronic filing and that filing electronically would constitute a substantial hardship to the political committee.

§ AA-52 Local Law No. 6-2003, also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds that the Legislative Office of Budget Review has determined as follows:

(1) The estimated cost of Suffolk County's local Medicaid share of prescription drugs for 2003 is $2,650,000, a 10.5% increase from 2002.

(2) In 2001, Suffolk County's local share for prescription drugs was approximately $24,000,000, a 19.7% increase from 2000 prescription drug costs.

(3) Drugs classified as "psychotropic" accounted for 48% ($1,180,000) of all Suffolk County Medicaid prescription drug costs in 2001.

(4) The top 15 prescription drugs by total expenditures cost Suffolk County $1,530,000, or 63% of all prescription drug costs. Nine of the top 15 drugs were categorized as psychotropic.

(5) In 2001, $29,000,000 in prescription drug claims were paid through the Suffolk County Employee Medical Health Plan. This represents 24% of all plan expenditures.

(6) The estimated cost for Suffolk County employees drug claims in 2003 is $3,130,000. The County Executive's 2003 recommended budget includes $3,010,000 for these expenditures.

(7) Between 1996 and 2001, the amount of prescription drug claims paid by Suffolk County for Suffolk County employees has increased by 143%.

(8) The 2002 estimated pharmaceutical costs for the Suffolk County Jail Medical Unit are $380,000.

This Legislature also finds and determines that officials from the Suffolk County Department of Health Services testified at a budget hearing of the Health Committee of the Suffolk County Legislature, on October 25, 2002, that the County could pay less for these very expensive drugs if the Department was allowed to purchase drugs anywhere in the country and throughout the world, an initiative which would require a lifting of the Suffolk County local preference law restrictions on such purchases.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to waive the local preference law restrictions for purchases of drugs by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all contracts awarded on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-53 Local Law No. 23-2003 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the Suffolk County Department of Health Services has identified several titles in medical and science based activities which have been the subject matter of great difficulty in recruiting to fill vacancies.

This Legislature further finds and determines that this difficulty in filling vacancies, due to these recruiting problems, has resulted in increased overtime requirements in the John J. Foley Skilled Nursing Facility in Yaphank, the Public Health Nursing Bureau, and at Suffolk County Health Clinics.

This Legislature also determines that the Suffolk County Department of Health Services may lose its state certification and license for performing certain critical tasks in the event that it fails to fill certain positions.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to expand the list of exemptions from the Suffolk County Residency Requirement Law for employment purposes.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to any person entering County service on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-54 Local Law No. 25-2003 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that there is a need for better accountability and notification of charity care provided to indigent persons by hospitals located within the County of Suffolk.

This Legislature also finds and determines that Article IX of the Suffolk County Administrative Code authorizes the County Department of Health Services to formulate, promulgate, adopt and publish rules, regulations, orders and directions for the security of life and health in the County.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the importance of providing charity medical care to indigent persons who would otherwise be left untreated cannot be measured in dollars and cents alone but in the lives of human beings saved or whose health is protected.

This Legislature determines that it is essential that, on an ongoing basis, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services evaluate the need for charity care in the County and the level of care that is being provided to indigent persons by hospitals within Suffolk County.

This Legislature further determines that, in order for the County to be able to monitor this care, the County of Suffolk needs information from hospitals with regard to their policies on the availability, accessibility, and criteria for providing charity care.

This Legislature further finds that in order to maximize access to charity care within the community and to enhance the health of the public by informing individuals of the availability of charity care, it shall be the policy of the County of Suffolk that each hospital notify every patient of its charity care policy, said notices to include visually, and in written form, prominent multilingual postings explaining the hospital's policy on charity care and that it shall also be the policy of the County of Suffolk to encourage hospitals, when practicable, to verbally notify patients at the time of admission as to the availability of charity care and the process for applying or qualifying for such care.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to require all hospitals located within the County of Suffolk to inform the public as to the availability of charity care in the County and the process to access such care as is being provided to indigent persons by hospitals within Suffolk County.

Section 2. Definitions. As used in this law, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

BAD DEBT

The unpaid accounts of any person who has received medical care or is financially responsible for the cost of care provided to another, where such person has the ability to pay but is unwilling to pay.

CHARITY CARE

Emergency, inpatient, or outpatient medical care, including ancillary services, provided to indigent persons.

COMMISSIONER

The Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

COST

The actual amount of money a hospital spends to provide each service, but not the full list price charged by the hospital for that service.

COST-TO-CHARGE

The relationship between the hospital's cost of providing services and the charge assessed by the hospital for the service.

DEPARTMENT

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

HOSPITAL

Includes every entity located within Suffolk County licensed as a general acute-care hospital, as defined by § 2801 of the New York Public Health Law.

INDIGENT PERSON

A person who is uninsured, and for whom no third-party insurance coverage or insurance program is available, and who is determined, after a needs assessment by the health care provider, to have exhausted all reasonable means of payment so that there is no expectation of reimbursement.

POLICIES

The hospital's criteria and procedures on the provision of charity care, including any criteria and procedures for patient and community notification of charity care availability, the application or eligibility process, the criteria for determinations on eligibility for charity care and the appeal process on such determinations.

Section 4. Rules and regulations.

The Department shall promulgate such rules and regulations as it deems necessary and appropriate for the implementation and enforcement of any provisions of this law.

§ AA-55 Local Law No. 27-2003 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the creation of boards, commissions, task forces, and regulatory legislation over the past decade and a half has proliferated within the County of Suffolk, without a concomitant reduction, streamlining, or elimination of such boards, commissions, task forces, or regulatory legislation when the underlying purpose or justification for such entities or legislation has expired.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the continued existence of boards, commissions, task forces, and regulatory legislation that no longer serve any public or governmental purpose contributes to the public perception of local government as ossified and paralyzed by constraints of red tape and an unwillingness to adjust to the fluctuating demands of the market place.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the enactment of Local Law No. 43-1988, a local law that abolished 10 archaic boards, commissions and task forces, continued the positive direction of streamlining County government.

This Legislature further determines that enactment of Local Law No. 34-1990, a local law that abolished and repealed 16 archaic boards, commissions, and statutes, constituted a positive reinforcement in the direction of streamlining County government.

This Legislature further determines that enactment of Local Law No. 16-1993, a local law that abolished and repealed another 20 archaic and/or superfluous boards, commissions, and statutes, continues this positive direction of streamlining County government.

This Legislature also finds that cutbacks in County staffing of regulatory departments and offices such as the Division of Consumer Affairs require a corresponding curtailment of regulatory laws so that a narrowly targeted group of laws protecting the public in high priority areas can be more effectively enforced.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to build upon the progress made in the enactment of Local Law Nos. 43-1988, 34-1990, and 16-1993 by abolishing and repealing additional boards, commissions, and regulatory legislation that no longer receive adequate funding or no longer serve any real or apparent public purpose because of the expiration of the underlying function, responsibility, rationale, justification, or purpose of such entities or regulatory legislation which have fallen into desuetude and which otherwise impose a bureaucratic stranglehold on the private affairs of the citizens of Suffolk County or which have been invalidated by courts of law but which could be revived if such court decisions were overturned. This, in turn, is intended to result in the concentration and allocation of limited County resources in those areas of regulatory concern where County involvement can have its greatest and most cost effective impact.

Section 3. Transition provisions.

The Clerk of the Suffolk County Legislature is hereby directed to notify, in writing, each of the members of any of the above-described boards or commissions as to the termination of their respective offices.

§ AA-56 Local Law No. 16-2004 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the current County Comptroller has recommended that the current statutory requirement for an annual audit of the Suffolk County Police Department's Forfeiture Fund, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Forfeiture Fund, the Suffolk County Sheriffs Office Forfeiture Fund, the Suffolk County Probation Department's Forfeiture Fund, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Special Services Fund, and the Suffolk County Police Department's Special Services Fund should be repealed in order to free up audit resources for contract agencies, the strengthening of internal County budget controls, the enhancement of County revenues, and the streamlining of County expenses.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to repeal the annual audit of all County forfeiture and special services funds.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all forfeiture funds received by the County of Suffolk after the effective date of this local law.

§ AA-57 Local Law No. 17-2004 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Local Law No. 13-2000 established the Suffolk County Affordable Housing Program, thereby providing a comprehensive policy to enable the County to provide affordable housing opportunities directly and through other municipalities.

This Legislature hereby finds that Local Law No. 13-2000 has been a positive step in making affordable housing available to many segments of Suffolk County's population as follows:

A. By providing an inventory of tax-default and other surplus parcels, both vacant and improved, directly and through town and village participation where practicable in carrying out a Countywide affordable housing program;

B. By providing County-owned parcels to municipalities participating in and implementing programs of affordable housing, at below-market values, for individuals who would otherwise be unable to purchase homes in the Long Island real estate market; and

C. By providing funding through the use of capital bond proceeds in connection with the affordable housing program.

This Legislature further finds that in the last four years the need for affordable housing has become more acute and that sharply rising housing costs have created an untenable situation for the County's residents and employers which has resulted in the outmigration of young adults, long commutes on overcrowded highways and an increase in the number of families, including seniors, forced to spend more than 35% of their income on housing.

This Legislature further finds that it is critical to the continued viability of the local economy to retain the County's young workforce and senior community by increasing flexibility and streamlining the existing Suffolk County Affordable Housing Program to assure it can be easily used and implemented to provide increased housing choices.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to increase affordable housing opportunities by providing additional housing and funding options and to further streamline the process by which individuals and municipalities may work with the County to achieve these goals.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all conveyances and transactions occurring on or after the effective date.

§ AA-58 Local Law No. 20-2004 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that millions of dollars worth of contracts for goods and services are awarded by the County of Suffolk each year.

This Legislature further finds that many jobs are being lost to corporations that reincorporate overseas whose workers are often forced to live in substandard conditions.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the County Legislature has historically led the way in encouraging and promoting businesses located on Long Island.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to prohibit the County of Suffolk from entering into contracts with corporations who reincorporated outside the United States of America.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to contracts entered into on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-59 Local Law No. 30-2004 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the reporting of County election campaign finances must be in the hands of professional County workers who are charged by law with the administration of County elections.

This Legislature also finds and determines that it is in the best interest of the residents of Suffolk County and candidates for public office in Suffolk County to have full accurate and truthful disclosure of County election campaign finances.

This Legislature further finds and determines that there would be very little additional cost to the County to have the electronic filing of election campaign finances performed by the professionals at the Suffolk County Board of Elections.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to facilitate truthful, accurate, full public disclosure of County election campaign finances by requiring that every elected County official and candidate for County elected office and any political committee supporting such official or candidate simultaneously file their periodic County campaign finance reports via e-mail in addition to the manual filing with the Suffolk County Board of Elections.

Section 3. Applicability.

A. This law shall apply to statements of campaign receipts, contributions, transfers, and expenditures required to be filed on or after July 1, 2004. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as requiring compliance with § A30-11B of the Suffolk County Administrative Code for statements of campaign receipts, contributions, transfers, and expenditures required to be filed prior to July 1, 2004. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as requiring compliance, on a retroactive basis, with § A30-11B of the Suffolk County Administrative Code for statements of campaign receipts, contributions, transfers, and expenditures required to be filed on or after July 1, 2004, in those instances and for those periods of time in which the Treasurer of a political committee filed a sworn statement demonstrating that the political committee did not have access to the technology necessary for electronic filing and that such electronic filing would constitute a substantial hardship to the political committee under Subsection B of this section.

B. This law shall not apply to a political committee whose Treasurer files a sworn statement which demonstrates that the political committee does not have access to the technology necessary for electronic filing and that filing electronically would constitute a substantial hardship to the political committee.

§ AA-60 Local Law No. 31-2004 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

The Legislature hereby finds that the Department of Health Services, Division of Medical-Legal Investigations and Forensic Sciences, must approve all cremations in the County.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the Department of Health Services, Division of Medical-Legal Investigations and Forensic Sciences, must prepare and keep records and reports of all autopsies performed in the County.

This Legislature further finds and determines that requests for cremation approvals and autopsy reports and records have increased significantly as state aid has been diminishing.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the establishment of fees for requests for cremation approval and autopsy reports and records in such amounts necessary to cover the costs incurred by the Department of Health Services, Division of Medical-Legal Investigations and Forensic Sciences, for the processing of such reports will considerably reduce the financial burden on the County.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to establish a cremation approval fee and an autopsy report fee to cover the costs incurred by the Department of Health Services, Division of Medical-Legal Investigations and Forensic Sciences, for the processing of such reports and records.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions taking place after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-61 Local Law No. 36-2004 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development is responsible for encouraging and promoting economic development, business growth and job creation for the benefit of Suffolk County residents.

This Legislature further finds that housing costs have risen dramatically and continue to increase, making it increasingly difficult for many segments of Suffolk County's population to find housing that is affordable. This lack of affordable housing leads to a "brain drain" from our county, curtails the creation and retention of jobs and limits economic expansion in Suffolk.

This Legislature finds and determines that because the County's economic fortunes are inextricably linked with the availability of housing that is affordable for our citizens it is necessary and suitable to consolidate the management of affordable housing programs within the Department of Economic Development, and that such consolidation will lead to a more efficient and coordinated approach to the housing problem.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to transfer the management and oversight of the County's Affordable Housing and Workforce Housing Programs, as described in Article XXXVI of the Suffolk County Administrative Code, to the County's Department of Economic Development.

It is also the purpose of this law to bring the Community Development Agency (presently administered by the County Executive's office) within the Department of Economic Development, to aid in the development of projects designed to meet urgent community development needs and improve community facilities, principally for persons of low and moderate incomes, and assist with the financing of affordable housing programs.

It is the further purpose of this law to rename the Department of Economic Development the "Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Workforce Housing" to reflect the Department's new responsibilities and the county's commitment to spur economic growth and affordable housing opportunities.

Section 6. Transition provisions.

A. Any reference to the County Department of Planning or the Commissioner thereof in any other resolution, local law, Charter law, ordinance, rule or regulation of the County of Suffolk or in any state or federal law, rule or regulation in connection with the county's Affordable Housing Program shall be construed in the first instance as reference to the County Department of Economic Development and Workforce Housing or Commissioner thereof, as the case may be, anything in any other laws or regulations to the contrary notwithstanding.

B. Any pertinent positions of employment within the County Department of Planning relating to the Affordable Housing/Workforce Housing Program, and within the Department of the Executive relating to the Community Development Agency shall be abolished and/or transferred to the Department of Economic Development and Workforce Housing, as the case may be, via appropriate resolution, or action on the County Operating Budget, as the case may be, no later than January 1, 2005. Any positions within the Department of Planning and the Department of the Executive, transferred via prior or subsequent appropriate resolution, shall be transferred so as to retain the incumbent individual so employed in that position by the Department to which such position has been transferred by resolution.

C. All County departments shall cooperate fully with the Commissioner of the County Department of Economic Development and Workforce Housing, or his or her designee, in all phases of implementing the provisions of this law.

§ AA-62 Local Law No. 11-2005 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds that § 2-15 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code authorizes appropriations for Memorial Day observances, which Section was enacted by Local Law No. 3-1965.

This Legislature further finds that this section has been amended incorrectly by resolution in 2002 and 2004.

This Legislature also finds that in order to properly increase the annual amount expended for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the proper observance of Memorial Day it is necessary to amend § 2-15 by local law.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend § 2-15 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to provide for increased funding to defray the expenses of the proper observance of Memorial Day and extend the places at which the observance can be conducted.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to appropriations for Memorial Day Observances beginning in 2005 and continuing thereafter.

§ AA-63 Local Law No. 16-2005 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk created the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to provide better cooperation and coordination among local government agencies concerned with law enforcement, criminal justice and post-adjudicatory treatment of offenders.

This Legislature further determines that since the Council's creation in 1974, its membership has been changed on several occasions to reflect a wider range of viewpoints and to gain greater expertise on criminal justice issues, by expanding the Council to include representatives of nongovernment groups that focus respectively on preventing delinquency, protecting the interests of the aging and assisting victims of crime.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the Suffolk County Bar Association has a special and important perspective on the criminal justice system in our county and that adding this organization's expertise would greatly enhance the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council's ability to study issues and make recommendations on matters within its mandate.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to add a representative of the Suffolk County Bar Association to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-64 Local Law No. 23-2005 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This legislature hereby finds and determines that a recent incident regarding a matter referred to the Suffolk County Planning Commission in connection with the proposed intensification of development in an area already the subject of dense commercial development and significant traffic raises the concern that pertinent information in the possession of elected officials may not be reaching the Planning Commission before it makes its final determination.

This Legislature further finds that Local Law No. 5-2000, "A Local Law to Require Full Background Disclosure for County Planning Commission Determination," dated March 14, 2000, was a significant step in increasing the dissemination of information to all concerned parties, but that a further clarification of these provisions is necessary.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to strengthen and clarify the procedures for the dissemination of information to elected officials and to the County Planning Commission before the Commission takes final action on the matters within its jurisdiction.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to any matters referred to the Suffolk County Planning Commission on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-65 Local Law No. 24-2005 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds that the provisions of the Suffolk County Code regarding the hiring or promotion of relatives of high ranking County officials have served the purpose of fully informing the public when such relatives are hired or promoted into County jobs.

This Legislature further finds that the practice of including police officers below the rank of Captain serves no useful purpose, as these individuals have no authority to influence the hiring or promotion of relatives.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the failure to include very-high-ranking officials, such as Chief Deputy County Executives, Deputy County Executives, and Deputy Commissioners, undermines the policy of honesty and transparency in government hiring and promotional practices.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend the existing nepotism provisions of the Suffolk County Code to exclude police officers below the rank of Captain and to include other high-ranking officials who have the ability to influence the hiring and promotional practices of the County of Suffolk.

§ AA-66 Local Law No. 35-2005 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Article 12-B of the New York General Municipal Law requires towns and villages to refer certain zoning and planning-related actions to the Suffolk County Planning Commission.

This Legislature further finds that the County of Suffolk, in accordance with state law, has adopted local laws requiring towns and villages to refer certain zoning/planning matters to the Planning Commission. These laws are codified in Article 14 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code.

This Legislature also determines that the County's Administrative Code provisions in this area are not entirely consistent with the state law, which has led to some uncertainty among the towns and villages as to which matters must be referred to the Suffolk County Planning Commission.

This Legislature also finds that the Administrative Code provisions governing referrals to the Planning Commission contain outdated references to the Suffolk County Pine Barrens Commission (which was abolished in 1998) and a fee schedule that is unnecessarily confusing.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to bring the County's Administrative Code into conformance with New York General Municipal Law, delete references to the abolished Pine Barrens Commission, clarify the jurisdiction of the Suffolk County Planning Commission and otherwise streamline the Planning Commission's procedures for considering referrals from the towns and villages within Suffolk County.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-67 Local Law No. 37-2005 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that there are certain boards and commissions created by the County of Suffolk that have been replaced by a subsequent board or commission or for which the underlying purpose, justification, or legislation has expired.

This Legislature also finds and determines that boards, commissions, and task forces that no longer serve any public or governmental purpose should be abolished.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the enactment of Local Law No. 43-1988, a local law that abolished 10 boards, commissions and task forces, started a tradition of abolishing said boards and commissions to streamline county government.

This Legislature further finds and determines that enactment of Local Law Nos. 34-1990, 16-1993, and 27-2003, local laws that abolished and repealed a total of 43 boards, commissions, and statutes, continued the tradition of abolishing said boards and commissions to streamline county government.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to build upon the progress made in the enactment of Local Law Nos. 43-1988, 34-1990, 16-1993, and 27-2003 by abolishing and repealing additional boards, commissions, and task forces that have been replaced by a subsequent board or commission or for which the underlying purpose, justification, or legislation has expired.

Section 3. Transition provisions.

The Clerk of the Suffolk County Legislature is hereby directed to notify, in writing, each of the members of any of the above-described boards, commissions, or task forces as to the termination of their respective offices.

§ AA-68 Local Law No. 15-2006 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature finds and determines that the County's eminent domain powers are exercised most frequently in connection with highway projects.

This Legislature further finds that empowering the Department of Public Works to perform condemnation and associated appraisal work will expedite important County road projects and achieve greater administrative efficiency.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the first step in this important management initiative was already taken with the creation of a new Appraisals and Condemnation unit within the Department of Public Works' Highway Division in the 2006 adopted county operating budget.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to authorize the Department of Public Works to perform the County's eminent domain function in connection with highway and other public works projects in conformity with the 2006 operating budget and in furtherance of sound management practices.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-69 Local Law No. 19-2006 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that environmental resources are not mere commodities to be exploited and traded. This Legislature hereby recognizes that maintaining the quality and integrity of Suffolk County's environmental resources requires an attitude of reverence towards those resources by all of the people of Suffolk County.

This Legislature further finds that natural resources must be managed with prudence in order to maintain the health and economic well-being of the people of Suffolk County.

This Legislature also finds that its environmental resources constitute an inheritance that must be passed on intact to succeeding generations.

This Legislature determines that Suffolk County's unique environmental and ecological character compels Suffolk County to pursue its own initiatives when necessary in order to protect the integrity and quality of its environmental resources which make Suffolk County attractive to those who live, work and raise a family here; to businesses that are located or relocating here; and to thousands of visitors and tourists each year, whose presence generates enormous economic benefits for the residents of this County.

This Legislature also finds and determines that energy-related issues involving LIPA, Suffolk County Electrical Agency applications for low-cost power at the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission (FERC), and deregulation of the utility industry all require a central focus and full attention through an Energy Department.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that recent revelations regarding improprieties in Suffolk County land acquisition programs have caused irreparable harm to Suffolk County's nationally acclaimed land preservation programs.

This Legislature further finds and determines that elected County officials have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars are prudently and economically spent in the acquisition or disposition of land so as to avoid favoritism, improvidence, extravagance, fraud, and corruption and to ensure that public moneys are used in the best interest of County taxpayers.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to create an independent County Department of Environment and Energy: to safeguard the natural resources of Suffolk County; to promote the remediation and redevelopment of Brownfield sites; to conserve energy; to encourage proper solid waste management; to protect farmlands, parklands, open spaces, and ecological resources including, but not limited to, the critical, stressed or endangered environments, ecosystems, and species; to help Suffolk County achieve low cost sources of energy for its consumers and businesses; to establish a professional Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management within the County Department of Environment and Energy with adequate budgetary and management powers to ensure the acquisition and disposition of interests in real property by the County of Suffolk in accordance with the highest standards of conduct; to establish an Office of Cancer Awareness and Environmental Assessment within this Department to coordinate efforts to find the causes of cancer on Long Island and ascertain any links between the environment and incidents of cancer on Long Island; to coordinate the activities of the CEQ with the County Department of Environment and Energy in addition to the County Executive and the County Legislature; and to create an Office of Energy, Division of Water Quality/Environmental Unit, an Office of Farmland Acquisition and Management, and an Office of Recycling and Waste Management in order to focus public attention and County resources on the various environmental issues prevalent on Long Island.

Section 6. Transition and applicability provisions.

A. Section 2 and Section 3 of this law shall apply as of April 1, 2006.

B. Any reference to the Division of Real Estate in the County Department of Planning or its Commissioner or Director in any other resolution, local law, Charter law, ordinance, rule, or regulation of the County of Suffolk or in any state or federal law, rule, or regulation, shall be construed in the first instance as reference to the County Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management in the County Department of Environment and Energy, anything in any other laws or regulations to the contrary notwithstanding.

C. Any pertinent positions of employment within the Division of Real Estate in the County Department of Planning, the County Department of Health Services, the Office of the County Executive, the County Department of Planning, and the County Department of Public Works Water Quality/Environmental Unit shall be abolished and/or transferred, as the case may be, via appropriate resolution, no later than March 31, 2006, to the new County Department of Environment and Energy. Any positions of employment transferred via prior or subsequent appropriate resolution shall be transferred so as to retain the incumbent individual in said position of employment as the individual so employed in that position by the department or agency to which such position has been transferred by resolution.

D. Any reference to the County Division of Real Estate in the County Department of Planning, also referred to as the County Department of Planning, Division of Real Estate, in any chapter of the Suffolk County Code shall be construed as reference to the County Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management in the County Department of Environment and Energy, and any reference in said Code to the Director of said Division shall be construed to mean the Director of the County Division of Real Property Management and Acquisition within the County Department of Environment and Energy, as the case may be.

E. All County departments shall cooperate fully with the Commissioner of the County Department of Environment and Energy, or his or her designee, in all phases of implementing the provisions of this law.

F. Any reference to County Division of Real Estate in the County Department of Planning, also referred to as the County Department of Planning, Division of Real Estate, in Chapter 712 of the Suffolk County Code shall be construed as reference to the County Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management in the County Department of Environment and Energy, and any reference in the Suffolk County Code to the Director of the Division of Real Estate shall be construed to mean the Director of the Suffolk County Division of Real Property Management and Acquisition within the County Department of Environment and Energy, as the case may be. The pertinent offices and employees within the County Department of Environment and Energy shall carry out the duties, functions, and responsibilities of that law.

§ AA-70 Local Law No. 25-2006 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds that the cost of fuel oil has skyrocketed in recent months in the wake of natural disasters in this country and political upheaval in other parts of the world.

This Legislature also finds and determines that oil is a finite resource and the world's supply is rapidly diminishing.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the use of more environmentally friendly fuel promotes the economic best interests of Suffolk County, emits less air pollution and promotes conservation of our natural resources.

This Legislature determines that the County of Suffolk has historically been a leader in preserving the environment and promoting sensible alternatives to fossil fuel use.

This Legislature also finds and determines that dredging projects, that are so necessary to the continued enjoyment of our waterways by the residents of Suffolk County and which promote the natural flushing of our bays and waterways, can be accomplished in a more environmentally sound manner by the use of bio-diesel fuel in dredges.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to require the use of bio-diesel fuel when performing under a County dredge project.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to bid solicitations for contract work and work performed with the County dredge, which occurs on or after September 1, 2006.

§ AA-71 Local Law No. 28-2006 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that, prior to the County Legislature delegating the authority to approve leases in 1998 to the Airport Lease Screening Committee, the County Legislature reviewed and voted on all leases at the Francis S. Gabreski Airport.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the ultimate decision to allocate space and approve leases should rest with the County Legislature and the County Executive, as it did prior to 1998, with the assistance of the Department of Economic Development and Workforce Housing and the professional airport managers now on its staff.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend the Suffolk County Charter and the Suffolk County Administrative Code to abolish the Airport Lease Screening Committee, to streamline the governmental process of leasing of space at the airport, and to return to County Executive and Legislative scrutiny and approval of all leases at Francis S. Gabreski Airport.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all requests for the lease of space at Francis S. Gabreski Airport pending as of its effective date, and to all requests made on or after its effective date.

§ AA-72 Local Law No. 29-2006 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that major commercial development projects that are constructed in one town or village may have enormous and diverse impacts on neighboring municipalities.

This Legislature also finds that, in many instances, residents are not given adequate notice of a proposed development that will affect their community and their quality of life because they live on the wrong side of an arbitrary town or village boundary.

This Legislature further determines that pursuant to provisions of state and county law, towns and villages in Suffolk County are required to refer certain zoning actions, which affect real property lying within 500 feet of the boundary of any town of village, to the Suffolk County Planning Commission for review and recommendation.

This Legislature also finds and determines that while towns and villages are required to refer to the Planning Commission zoning actions that affect property close to their boundaries, there is no requirement that the neighboring towns and villages receive notice of such a referral.

This Legislature also determines that giving residents an opportunity to be heard on large commercial development proposals pending in a nearby town or village is consistent with the goals of regional planning.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to require the Suffolk County Planning Commission to notify adjoining town and village governments when it receives a referral because the affected real property lies within 500 feet of a town or village boundary and to require large commercial developers to notify the residents of the adjoining communities as to the date, time and place of the Planning Commission meeting when such referral will be considered.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to matters referred to the Planning Commission occurring on or after the effective date of the law.

§ AA-73 Local Law No. 37-2006 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Suffolk County's Affordable Housing Law was amended it its entirety by L.L. No. 17-2004.

This Legislature further finds and determines that certain amendments to Suffolk County's Affordable Housing Law are necessary in order to further facilitate coordination of various affordability requirements between the County and the towns and villages.

This Legislature finds and determines that amendments to the County's Affordable Housing Law will expand the capacity for development of owner-occupied, employee-assisted and rental housing and increase the flexibility of the current County subsidy programs.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to expand and increase the opportunities to develop affordable housing and to increase coordination with the towns and villages regarding required affordability and income limits.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-74 Local Law No. 39-2006 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds that this Legislature has previously recognized and reaffirmed on several occasions that former owners of properties acquired by the County by tax sale should be entitled to an opportunity to reacquire those properties.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the redemption procedure must be fair to all concerned but also adequately protect the County and its taxpayers to ensure that the County and its taxpayers are not financially adversely affected due to the failure of certain owners to pay their taxes in a timely manner. As a result, certain financial penalties and fees are imposed upon redeeming owners.

This Legislature further determines that a redemption procedure was put into place by Local Law 4-1976, subsequently replaced by Local Law 16-1976, and revised by Local Law 4-1988, as now set forth in Article XIV of the County's Administrative Code.

This Legislature further finds and determines that, in the course of revisions being made to the County's redemption procedures, the correct version of the 1988 bill was voted on and adopted but the printed version that was filed with the Secretary of State as Local Law 4-1988 was a different version, thereby resulting in an operating procedure currently utilized by the County Treasurer's office that is not clearly and properly reflected in the present County Administrative Code.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to clarify and amend the County Administrative Code provisions pertaining to the implementation of County real property redemption procedures; to confirm the proper procedures to be employed; to conform the County Administrative Code to what was actually voted on and adopted in 1988; and to ensure that the procedures that are utilized, and which have been utilized since the inception of the 1988 changes, are accurately reflected in the Suffolk County Administrative Code.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of Local Law No. 4-1988, "Local Law Amending Article XXXII of the Suffolk Administrative County Code and Chapter 27 of the Suffolk County Code to Protect the County's Interest in Indebtedness to the Department of Social Services With Regard to Certain County Real Property Conveyances."

§ AA-75 Local Law No. 45-2006 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that a fire at a West Islip pet store in December 2004 resulted in the death of hundreds of animals.

This Legislature also determines that during and after Hurricane Katrina, many pets and animals perished unnecessarily, in part because their safe evacuation was not considered in the emergency planning process.

This Legislature further finds that a lesson learned from these tragedies is that Suffolk County, its towns and fire departments would benefit from a coordinated approach that would help ensure the safe evacuation of pets and animals in the event of a fire or other emergency.

This Legislature also determines that the County Executive has issued an Executive Order (No. 5-2005) directing the Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (FRES) to establish a Pet Shop/Firefighters/Fire Department/Animal Outreach Program.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the enactment of a local law authorizing and directing FRES to take the steps necessary to develop an effective, coordinated animal evacuation plan will engender the type of cooperation necessary for successful implementation of this program.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend the Suffolk County Administrative Code to authorize FRES to develop a registry of all pet stores, animal hospitals and kennels in Suffolk County; to take necessary steps to ensure the filing of floor plans and/or animal registries of all such facilities with local fire departments; to help develop evacuation plans for animals and pets in Suffolk County; and to establish shelters for animals for use during an emergency.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-76 Local Law No. 50-2006 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the Suffolk County Dredging Projects Screening Committee was created to investigate the feasibility and desirability of proposed County dredging projects and to recommend to this Legislature projects that further the public interest.

This Legislature also finds and determines that under current law, the Dredging Projects Screening Committee uses multiple criteria to determine if a proposed dredging project is in the public interest, but environmental factors and marine productivity are not considered.

This Legislature further finds and determines that dredging may, at times, be necessary to increase flushing rates of harbors in order to protect marine ecology and productivity.

This Legislature determines that the Dredging Projects Screening Committee should consider environmental issues and marine productivity when evaluating proposed dredging projects.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend the Suffolk County Administrative Code to authorize the Suffolk County Dredging Projects Screening Committee to evaluate environmental factors and marine productivity when evaluating proposed dredging projects.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to dredging projects considered by the Suffolk County Dredging Project Screen Committee occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-77 Local Law No. 53-2006 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that numerous properties have been acquired by the County of Suffolk by means of tax deed through the Suffolk County Tax Act.

This Legislature also finds and determines that it greatly benefits County taxpayers to have these parcels put back on the tax roll by selling the parcels at general auction, or when the appropriate criteria are met, by direct sale to adjacent property owners.

This Legislature further finds and determines that it is imperative to strike a balance between returning these parcels to the tax rolls quickly, and making plots of land available for potential new housing and new homeowners.

This Legislature determines that codifying the current administrative practice of ascertaining whether or not parcels being sold to adjacent owners meet minimum zoning requirements of any municipalities, or the possible development of housing, prior to the sale of such parcels, would establish an enduring policy.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to require that parcels acquired by the County of Suffolk through tax default go to general auction if they are buildable plots of land, rather than be sold directly to the adjacent property owners.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to disposition of properties occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-78 Local Law No. 27-2007 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that § A42-4 of the Suffolk County Code incorrectly makes reference to Suffolk County Code § A42-4 instead of Suffolk County Code § A42-3 in connection with amounts the County shall deduct from payments made to applicants eligible to receive sums upon disposition of property acquired by the County through the Suffolk County Tax Act.

This Legislature further finds that a technical correction to the law is necessary to ensure that the County does not pay greater sums to applicants than was provided in the Suffolk County Code.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to correct a typographical error contained in the Suffolk County Code in order to properly reflect amounts that may be deducted from payments made to applicants eligible to receive sums upon disposition of property acquired by the County through the Suffolk County Tax Act.

Section 6. Applicability.

This law shall apply to the disposition of all properties acquired through the Suffolk County Tax Act on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-79 Local Law No. 38-2007 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds that Resolution No. 396-2006 established new notification procedures that must be used by the Planning Commission relative to matters referred to the Planning Commission when the affected property lies with 500 feet of a town or village boundary, and for applications for large commercial developments.

This Legislature further finds that the new procedures were implemented in an effort to better serve the goal of effective regional planning, but that revisions need to be made to these new notification procedures because they have proven to be difficult or impracticable to comply with and/or the Planning Commission has been unable to conclusively determine an applicant's adherence to the requirements.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to refine the notice requirements applicable to Planning Commission meetings to make it easier to ensure and verify compliance with the requirements.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to matters referred to the Planning Commission occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-80 Local Law No. 9-2008 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk disposes of many properties acquired through the provisions of the Suffolk County Tax Act by public auction.

This Legislature further determines that Local Law No. 13-1990 imposed a requirement that the auction of parcels with structures be limited to those persons who agreed to occupy the premises for a period of at least five years. This requirement was intended to discourage speculators, encourage home ownership, and to strengthen neighborhoods throughout Suffolk County.

This Legislature also finds that it is necessary to extend the owner occupancy requirement for auctioned properties from five to 10 years in order to better achieve the stated goals of Local Law No. 13-1990.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to restrict the auction of County parcels with structures to individuals who agree to a restrictive covenant in their deeds which requires the parcel's owner to reside at the premises, said restriction to run with the land for a ten-year period following the transfer of the deed from the County.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-81 Local Law No. 14-2008 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds that the Suffolk County Comptroller recently issued a report on his examination of Suffolk County Departmental Bank Accounts as of December 31, 2003, where he indicated that the requirement that County departments maintain petty cash checking accounts with the Suffolk County Federal Credit Union may not be permissible under state law.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that New York State law requires that all municipal fund deposits be made to a bank or trust company, and that municipal deposits at credit unions are not authorized.

This Legislature also finds that bank or trust company depositories for Suffolk County funds are authorized by resolution of the Suffolk County Legislature.

This Legislature further finds that certain language currently contained in the definition section of § A15-8 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code does not clearly set forth that Suffolk County is only authorized to deposit funds in a bank or trust company.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is clarify the Suffolk County Administrative Code to require that County cash deposits be made only in authorized banks or trust companies.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions taken immediately upon filing of this law in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ AA-82 Local Law No. 27-2008 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk spends millions of dollars each year leasing space to house various departments and agencies.

This Legislature also finds that the County's process for leasing space should be transparent and strive to encourage competition that produces cost savings for taxpayers.

This Legislature further finds and determines that several County departments have a hand in County leases but, ultimately, all leases must be approved by the County Legislature. Therefore, this Legislature must take the actions necessary to ensure that there is adequate accountability, openness and competition when the County searches for leased space.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to establish minimum advertising, investigation and reporting requirements when the County of Suffolk undertakes a search for leased space.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to leases, lease renewals, licenses and license renewals occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-83 Local Law No. 34-2008 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that under current County law, the Suffolk County Legislature must hold its organizational meeting on the first business day of each year.

This Legislature further finds that when the first business day of a new year falls on a Friday, most schools do not resume their schedule on that day and many families continue on vacation or extend out-of-town visits. These circumstances make it difficult for legislators and legislative staff to organize and/or attend a meeting on that date.

This Legislature also determines that under New York County Law, the Suffolk County Legislature may hold its annual organizational meeting as late as January 8.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to amend the Suffolk County Administrative Code to provide that when the first business day of a new year falls on a Friday, the Legislature's organization meeting will be held on the following Monday.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to organizational meetings occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-84 Local Law No. 41-2008 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk enacted Local Law No. 4-1993 and Local Law No. 5-1993, generally known as the "local preference laws," to give businesses located in Suffolk County and Nassau County a better chance to win contracts for consulting services, construction of public works, and provision of supplies, materials and equipment.

This Legislature further finds that in the case of public works and procurement contracts, Local Law No. 5-1993 (codified in § A4-14 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code) authorizes County officials to award a contract to a local business as long as its bid does not exceed the lowest bid by more than 10%. Local Law No. 4-1993 (codified in § A4-13 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code) states that all consulting contracts shall be awarded to a local consultant unless there is no local consultant with the requisite expertise or credentials.

This Legislature also determines that the County of Suffolk enacted these laws to assist Long Island businesses and protect local jobs during an economic downturn. While these goals were and are worthy, Local Law Nos. 4 and 5 of 1993 have had the unintended effect of disqualifying some businesses that have a substantial local presence from competing for County contracts.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the County's local preference laws should be amended to encourage broader competition and obtain greater cost savings for Suffolk County taxpayers.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to update the County's local preference laws in order to achieve greater cost savings from fuller competition while continuing to promote the use of local businesses and strengthen the local economy.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all contracts awarded on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-85 Local Law No. 1-2009 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the availability of affordable and accessible housing opportunities is vital to persons with disabilities who are striving to live fully independent lives in our community.

This Legislature also finds that the addition of certain Universal Design and Adaptable Design applications into the construction of new dwelling units funded under the Suffolk County Affordable Housing Opportunities Programs will allow a person with a disability to occupy or visit the home, or age in place and that the addition of such applications has been recommended by public and private individuals and groups, including the Suffolk County Senior Citizen Task Force.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to require any new dwelling unit constructed with the assistance of the County on a vacant parcel under the 72-h transfer program, or certain multifamily units dedicated to affordable purposes pursuant to the requirements of Article XXXVI of the Suffolk County Administrative Code, to comply with Universal Design and Adaptability requirements set forth herein.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

Section 6. Effective date.

This law shall take effect on the 90th day immediately subsequent to filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ AA-86 Local Law No. 3-2009 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk auctions and sells vacant parcels that are located within a residential zoning district, but do not meet minimum residential zoning code criteria ("substandard lots"), to individuals who own adjoining residential parcels.

This Legislature further finds and determines that there is a growing demand and need for affordable, workforce housing within Suffolk County, and that some of these substandard lots may support such housing with minimal relief from the zoning code requirements of the municipal zoning district in which the parcel is located.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the current procedures under the Suffolk County Administrative Code do not encourage the auction sale of such substandard lots to persons willing to apply for and obtain such minimal relief from the zoning code requirements of the municipal zoning district in which the parcel is located, and to construct an affordable, workforce housing, single-family residential dwelling on such substandard lot that substantially conforms in size and appearance to the residential dwellings located within the immediate surrounding residential community.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the auction sale of such substandard lots to persons willing to apply for and obtain such minimal relief from the zoning requirements of the municipal zoning district in which the parcel is located, and to construct an affordable, workforce housing, single-family residential dwelling on such substandard lot that substantially conforms in size and appearance to the residential dwellings located within the immediately surrounding residential community, would provide an opportunity to make such affordable, workforce housing available to first-time homebuyers in Suffolk County.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend the Suffolk County Administrative Code to provide that, prior to offering a vacant, substandard lot for sale to an adjacent owner, the County shall first offer such substandard lot for sale at public auction to the highest bidder who is willing to apply for and obtain such minimal relief from the zoning requirements of the municipal zoning district in which the parcel is located, and to construct an affordable, workforce housing, single-family residential dwelling on such substandard lot that substantially conforms in size and appearance to the residential dwellings located within the immediately surrounding residential community.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-87 Local Law No. 11-2009 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds that last year, the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) launched a program entitled "Homes for Veterans" that provides favorable interest rates on mortgages obtained by military veterans.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the current General Municipal Law § 72-h property transfer program administered by the County should provide more affordable housing opportunities to military veterans who have served this country and have offered their lives for the protection of others.

This Legislature further finds that the § 72-h property transfer program should include funding for exterior and interior construction to enable disabled persons to live independently in their homes, and for the installation of energy reduction and energy conservation equipment or devices in housing units constructed for affordable housing.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to: a) provide a local preference authorizing municipalities and nonprofit housing organizations to utilize the County's § 72-h property transfer program to construct and remodel housing units for occupancy by certain military veterans; and b) authorize the Director to, in connection with § 72-h property transfers, provide funding for specific exterior and/or interior elements of visitability design and construction requirements, and the installation of energy reduction or energy conservation equipment or devices with a useful life of five years or greater.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-88 Local Law No. 16-2009 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the Child Protective Advisory Board ("the Board") was established by Resolution No. 131-1973 to advise and educate in the protection of children in Suffolk County. This board is made up of representatives from the County Legislature, the County Executive's Office, the Department of Social Services, and nongovernmental members from the fields of: medicine, mental health, school nurses, hospital staff, elementary school teachers, probation officers, social workers, education, and the Suffolk County Concerned Citizens for Child Protection.

This Legislature also finds and determines that many of the appointed nongovernmental members of the Board are Executive Directors of the organizations they represent.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the nongovernmental members of the Board should be allowed to send a designee to Board meetings.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to provide nongovernmental members of the Child Protective Advisory Board with the ability to designate a representative to attend meetings they cannot attend.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-89 Local Law No. 17-2009 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County owns a substantial amount of real property located at Francis S. Gabreski Airport, Westhampton Beach (the "Airport"), that was originally released to the County as surplus government property, to be used for airport purposes. In furtherance of the objective to better manage the Airport and simultaneously promote an area for development of business and/or industrial use, approximately 58 acres were released by the Federal Aviation Administration for purposes of non-aviation development. This area is identified in the Town of Southampton Zoning Code as the Gabreski Airport Planned Development District (the "APDD").

This Legislature finds that Article XLII of the Suffolk County Administrative Code, § A42-2, authorizes the County to lease airport property not necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the airport for a term of up to 40 years, and for such other purposes as this Legislature may determine, provided such other purposes do not interfere with the proper and efficient operation of the Airport.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the forty-year lease term limit set forth in § A42-2 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code may impose an economic and commercial hurdle to the initial development of the site as a business/industrial park.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to authorize the Department to lease property within the APDD for an initial lease term of 40 years, and a single option period not to exceed an additional 40 years.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-90 Local Law No. 26-2009 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that changes in New York Education Law and amendments to State University of New York ("SUNY") regulations granted greater fiscal autonomy to the state's community colleges.

This Legislature further determines that the new SUNY regulations eliminated a local sponsor's authority to veto line item appropriations in a community college budget proposed by a college's board of trustees and authorized a board of trustees to transfer appropriations within an adopted budget without the approval of the local sponsor.

This Legislature finds that as a result of these changes in state law, rule and regulations, the County of Suffolk terminated the agreement which had governed the relationship between the County and Suffolk County Community College (the Plan "C" agreement) by the adoption of Resolution No. 109-2009 and ratified a new Memorandum of Understanding of Procedures and a Sponsor Service Agreement with the Community College by the adoption of Resolution No. 188-2009.

This Legislature also finds that the Memorandum of Understanding of Procedures sets forth a new process for the adoption of the Community College's operating budget which is consistent with state law and SUNY regulations.

This Legislature also determines that it is necessary to update the Suffolk County Administrative Code in order to codify the new process for adopting the Community College's annual operating budget and to eliminate provisions that are now inoperable or inapplicable.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to codify a new process for the adoption of Suffolk Community College's operating budget that is consistent with state law, SUNY regulations and the new operating agreements entered into by the County of Suffolk and Suffolk County Community College.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all Suffolk County Community College Operating Budgets adopted on or after January 1, 2010.

§ AA-91 Local Law No. 15-2010 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Suffolk County frequently undertakes important dredging projects that are in the public interest.

This Legislature also finds and determines that all dredging projects must be reviewed and approved by the Suffolk County Dredging Project Screening Committee.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the County Legislature's Public Works and Transportation Committee oversees all dredging projects.

This Legislature finds that it would be beneficial to have the Chairman of the Public Works and Transportation Committee serve as a member of the Dredging Project Screening Committee.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend the Suffolk County Administrative Code to add the Chairman of the Public Works and Transportation Committee of the County Legislature to the Dredging Project Screening Committee.

§ AA-92 Local Law No. 20-2010 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that special meetings of the County Legislature may be held upon the direction of the Presiding Officer of the County Legislature, the County Executive or upon a written request signed by a majority of the members of the County Legislature.

This Legislature also finds that the provision for special meetings of the Legislature set forth in the Suffolk County Administrative Code is designed to allow the County Legislature to respond to exigent situations in a timely manner.

This Legislature further finds that while almost every meeting (both regular and special) of the Suffolk County Legislature is held at the legislative auditoriums in Hauppauge and Riverhead, a practice has evolved in recent years whereby the County Executive calls a special meeting for the purpose of giving a State of the County address at a non-County-government location. For most of Suffolk County's history, County Executives delivered this speech to the Legislature at regular legislative meetings.

This Legislature determines that a State of the County speech is not the proper subject of a special legislative meeting, as no official business is conducted by the Legislature at these events.

This Legislature also determines that staging the State of the County speech at a non-County facility, in the framework of a special legislative meeting, leads to an unnecessary waste of taxpayer dollars for security, stenographic expenses, et al.

This Legislature finds and determines that while a County Executive is free to deliver a speech wherever and whenever he or she may choose, there is no logical reason to convene a special meeting of the Legislature when he or she does so.

This Legislature also determines that when the County Executive delivers his annual report to the County Legislature he should do so at a regular meeting of the Legislature in accordance with longstanding practice and simple common sense.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to protect taxpayer dollars by requiring that special meetings of the County Legislature be conducted at the legislative auditorium in Hauppauge or Riverhead and that the County Executive deliver his annual report to the County Legislature at a regular legislative meeting.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to County Executive annual reports and legislative special meetings occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-93 Local Law No. 27-2010 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that transfers of County-owned land to towns and villages pursuant to New York General Municipal Law § 72-h play a critical role in the creation of affordable/workforce housing in Suffolk County.

This Legislature further finds that while Local Law No. 37-2006 amended affordability and income limit requirements under the County's Workforce Housing Program in order to increase flexibility and expand opportunities to develop housing, § 72-h program requirements went unchanged by this local law.

This Legislature also determines that many prospective first time homebuyers whose incomes exceed the limits currently prescribed under the § 72-h program, continue to be priced out of the Long Island housing market.

This Legislature also determines that the § 72-h transfer program should be flexible so that the County can take advantage of all opportunities to develop affordable housing in our communities and better serve the needs of first time homebuyers.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to authorize the Director of Workforce Housing to waive the income limits of the § 72-h transfer program and authorize the transfer of homes constructed under this program to persons whose incomes do not exceed 120% of the HUD established median income limits for our region.

Section 3. Rules and regulations.

The Director of Affordable Housing shall, within 90 days of the effective date of this law, promulgate rules, regulations and criteria necessary to implement this law.

Section 4. Applicability.

This law shall apply to § 72-h transfers occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-94 Local Law No. 28-2010 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Local Law No. 3-2009 authorized and directed the Department of Energy and Environment to offer certain substandard lots, acquired by the County by tax defaults, for sale at public auctions to persons and entities willing to seek relief from local zoning requirements in order to construct affordable housing.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the Town of Brookhaven has expressed serious concern that Local Law No. 3-2009 would negatively impact the town by generating additional applications for variances, additional costly litigation resulting from the denial of variances, and more construction on substandard lots.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the County of Suffolk should work cooperatively with other political subdivisions and avoid taking actions that negatively impact local governments.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to exempt parcels located within the Town of Brookhaven from the requirements set forth in Local Law No. 3-2009.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-95 Local Law No. 32-2010 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that pursuant to the Suffolk County Tax Act, Suffolk County takes title to properties when their owners fail to pay property taxes.

This Legislature also finds and determines that a large number of these parcels are subsequently sold by the County at public auction.

This Legislature hereby determines that County Legislators, as the elected representatives closest to the people, have detailed knowledge of their communities and an understanding of how the auction sale of a parcel might impact a neighborhood in their district.

This Legislature also finds that members of the County Legislature should receive notification of the parcels to be included in an auction so they can take corrective action, if necessary, to maintain public ownership of specific parcels.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to require that the Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management notify the County Legislature when parcels are acquired under the Suffolk County Tax Act and when they are scheduled to be auctioned.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-96 Local Law No. 33-2010 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that, pursuant to the Suffolk County Tax Act, Suffolk County takes title to properties when property owners fail to pay their property taxes.

This Legislature also finds that it is in the best interests of County taxpayers to move these tax-default properties out of the County inventory and back on to the tax rolls as quickly as possible.

This Legislature further determines that the County of Suffolk normally offers tax-default properties for sale at public auction. However, some of the properties in the County inventory are substandard or irregular and cannot support development. Section A42-4 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code authorizes the County to sell such parcels directly to adjacent property owners if their appraised value is less than $30,000.

This Legislature finds that the County's inventory presently includes some substandard parcels which appraise above $30,000.

This Legislature further finds and determines that allowing the direct sale of substandard lots with appraised values up to $50,000 would facilitate the quick return of more parcels to the tax rolls, thereby increasing tax revenues and reducing expenses related to the oversight and maintenance of these parcels.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to authorize the Division of Real Property Management and Acquisition, subject to legislative approval, to sell substandard lots appraised for less than $50,000 directly to adjacent property owners.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to the disposition of tax-default properties occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-97 Local Law No. 44-2010 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature finds that the County of Suffolk has led the nation in the protection of environmentally sensitive lands since 1973.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk regularly engages in the acquisition and disposition of real property and utilizes the services of title insurance companies during these transactions.

This Legislature further finds that no procedures or regulations presently exist to guide the County's award of title insurance business.

This Legislature determines that in recent years most of the County's title insurance work has been awarded to three companies despite the fact that the title insurance industry is tightly regulated by the State of New York and there is little variation in the prices charged by title companies.

This Legislature also finds that media reports showed that the companies receiving title work from the County made significant political contributions to certain County officials, thereby creating the appearance of a "pay to play" system.

This Legislature further finds that even the appearance of impropriety in the selection of companies the County does business with undermines the confidence of citizens in County government.

This Legislature determines that the County of Suffolk previously enacted legislation to standardize the selection of real estate appraisers.

This Legislature also finds that the County of Suffolk can and should develop objective procedures and criteria for contracting title insurance services and thereby eliminate the appearance of favoritism.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to establish procedures and criteria that will require the County of Suffolk to hire qualified title insurance companies on a rotating basis.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-98 Local Law No. 13-2011 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature finds and determines that Local Law No. 17-2004 (Article XXXVI of the Suffolk County Administrative Code) increased affordable housing opportunities by providing additional housing and funding options, including the creation of a workforce housing program and by further streamlining the process by which individuals and municipalities may work with the County to achieve these goals.

This Legislature also finds and determines that Suffolk County is always vulnerable to threats of hurricane, flood or tornado. In many cases, our residents cannot obtain insurance for these perils. It is in the interest of the County to assist only the most vulnerable members of our population with these perils. This assistance can be provided at little or no cost to the County, while the County advances the important public policy of affordable housing.

This Legislature also finds that the goals of the affordable housing program can be advanced if the County makes available to qualified homeowners displaced by hurricane, flood or tornado property for their relocation upon the condition that affordability restrictions that run with the land in perpetuity are imposed on the property. This way the County can restore stability to people who have lost their homes through natural disaster, while still assuring that parcels are forever dedicated to the public purpose of providing affordable housing to the taxpayers of this County.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to increase affordable housing opportunities under the County's Affordable Housing Program by expanding the § 72-h transfer program set forth in Article XXXVI of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to include property transfers to benefit qualified homeowners who are displaced from their homes due to hurricane, flood or tornado upon the conditions that the transfers are restricted in perpetuity for affordability.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all transfers pursuant to General Municipal § 72-h made prior to enactment of this law and to all such transfers made on or after the effective date of this law for homeowners who have been heretofore displaced, or are hereafter displaced, by natural disaster.

§ AA-99 Local Law No. 29-2011 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the public's trust in government and public institutions is undermined every time it is revealed that the judgment of an elected or appointed official has been compromised by a conflict of interest.

This Legislature also finds that the "revolving door" phenomenon by which a public official goes to work for a person, firm or corporation that he or she was responsible for regulating or overseeing at the time of their separation from government is a pervasive practice that erodes public confidence in government.

This Legislature also finds that in the past, some high ranking County officials have left County government to accept employment with entities that did business with the official's department or agency. Such movement from the public sector to the private sector creates, at the very least, an appearance of self-dealing by the former official and/or a conflict of interest that may have compromised their actions while serving in a public role.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to bar County officers and employees from soliciting, negotiating for or accepting employment with entities that have a contractual relationship with the County when such officer or employee is involved in the award, administration or oversight of such contract.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-100 Local Law No. 31-2011 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that virtually all polling shows that trust in public institutions and public officials has eroded to historically low levels.

This Legislature also finds that the public's cynicism and distrust is heightened when the conduct of a public official is compromised by a conflict of interest.

This Legislature also finds that public confidence in government suffers when officials collect two public salaries simultaneously.

This Legislature further finds that the County of Suffolk must take all reasonable actions to restore and rebuild public confidence in County government.

This Legislature further determines that prohibiting County elected officials from holding paid employment with any other level of government constitutes a good first step in restoring public confidence as it would reduce the incidence of real and/or perceived conflicts of interest and the perception that elected officials are prospering by receiving paychecks from multiple government jobs in a time of national economic crisis.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to bar any County elected official from holding another paid position of employment with this County or any other level of government.

Section 3. Exceptions.

This law shall not apply to a County-wide elected official or County Legislator who also holds a position as a teacher in a public school district or a professor at a public university or college.

Section 4. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-101 Local Law No. 39-2011 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, in conjunction with the Suffolk County Water Authority, is updating the County's Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan ("Comprehensive Plan").

This Legislature further finds that the primary goal of the Comprehensive Plan is to protect the County's sole source aquifer and its surface waters.

This Legislature also determines that once adopted, the Comprehensive Plan will guide future resource protection efforts and management decisions.

This Legislature finds that the management decisions arising out of the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan will have significant environmental, health, and economic implications.

This Legislature finds and determines that the Comprehensive Plan may recommend several major policy shifts, including the establishment of a maximum allowable density of one acre in all groundwater management zones and tighter restrictions on the transfer of development rights between zones.

This Legislature finds that the Department of Health Services and the Board of Health may choose to implement these important policy changes, either administratively or through amendments to the County's Sanitary Code.

This Legislature further finds that policy decisions that are likely to have major impacts on the lives of County residents, should be subject to review by the County Legislature, which is an elected body and the designated policy-making arm of County government.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to require that the Suffolk County Department of Health Services and the Board of Health receive legislative approval prior to enacting, by administrative action or amendments to the Sanitary Code, any policy changes arising out of the updated Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law will apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

Section 6. Effective date.

This law shall take effect 30 days after its filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ AA-102 Local Law No. 48-2011 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that in 2008 the County Legislature authorized General Code Publishers to perform a complete analysis of the Laws of Suffolk County and to recommend necessary changes to the Laws.

This Legislature also finds that General Code Publishers has completed its review and recommended several technical changes to the Suffolk County Administrative Code.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend the Suffolk County Administrative Code to incorporate the changes recommended by General Code Publishers.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-103 Local Law No. 56-2011 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that an ethics law cannot succeed without an effective board to oversee and enforce conflict of interest rules and financial disclosure requirements.

This Legislature also finds that in order to be effective an ethics board must at all times maintain, in perception and reality, its independence and impartiality.

This Legislature determines that in the past several years, the Suffolk County Ethics Commission has been embroiled in controversy. Initially, questions were raised in the media and elsewhere about the Commission's application of the County's financial disclosure law. Later, the Commission frustrated the Legislature's oversight function when they failed to provide records the Legislature had requested and then initiated a court proceeding to quash subpoenas issued by a special legislative oversight committee.

This Legislature further finds that legislation has been introduced in the County Legislature that would update the County's ethics and financial disclosure laws.

This Legislature also determines that it would be appropriate and prudent to constitute a new board to implement the revised conflict of interest rules and financial disclosure requirements.

This Legislature recognizes that ethics boards, in general, must necessarily conduct their business in a way that protects confidential information from public disclosure. Nevertheless, the new ethics board created by this law must operate in the most transparent manner possible.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to abolish the existing Ethics Commission and to establish a new independent Board of Ethics that will be responsible for enforcing the County's revised ethics and disclosure laws.

Section 4. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

Section 7. Effective date.

This law shall take effect 90 days after its filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ AA-104 Local Law No. 7-2012 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk enacted a local law in 2001 requiring the Suffolk County Planning Commission to maintain verbatim minutes of all its meetings.

This Legislature finds that it is not necessary under New York's Open Meetings Law for any public body to maintain verbatim minutes of their meetings.

This Legislature further determines that there is no compelling rationale for the Planning Commission to maintain verbatim minutes of its meetings.

This Legislature also finds that tax dollars can be saved by eliminating the unnecessary requirement that the Planning Commission maintain verbatim minutes.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to eliminate the requirement that the Planning Commission maintain verbatim minutes of its meetings.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to the meetings of the Suffolk County Planning Commission occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-105 Local Law No. 10-2012 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk disposes of many properties acquired through provisions of the Suffolk County Tax Act by public auction.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the purchasers of auction parcels with habitable structures must agree to a restrictive covenant which requires the parcel to be owner occupied for at least 10 years. This requirement is intended to encourage homeownership and strengthen neighborhoods throughout the County while discouraging speculation.

This Legislature further finds and determines that some parcels with habitable structures languish in the County's inventory, as prospective purchasers are discouraged by the ten-year owner occupancy requirement.

This Legislature finds that habitable parcels could be put to good use through the County's 72-h program, which transfers parcels to participating municipalities for affordable housing purposes.

This Legislature determines that transferring habitable parcels to municipalities will ensure the speedy return of these properties to the tax rolls while protecting communities against speculators.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to authorize the transfer of habitable parcels to municipalities participating in the County's 72-h transfer program.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-106 Local Law No. 11-2012 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the 2012 Operating Budget includes revenue from increased tax map verification fees charged by the County Clerk.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is increase tax map verification fees to offset administration expenses in the Office of the County Clerk.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-107 Local Law No. 12-2012 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines the 2012 Operating Budget authorizes the Chief Medical Examiner, in cooperation and consultation with the Commissioner of Health Services, to increase the County's cremation clearance fees from $30 to $60 to offset the Department's administrative expenses.

This Legislature also finds and determines that cremation clearance fees are established in § A9-2 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend § A9-2 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to increase cremation clearance fees from $30 to $60.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-108 Local Law No. 15-2012 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Article 12-B of the New York General Municipal Law requires towns and villages to refer certain zoning, subdivision and planning-related actions to the Suffolk County Planning Commission.

This Legislature also finds and determines that The County of Suffolk, in accordance with state law, has adopted local laws requiring towns and villages to refer certain zoning, subdivision and planning matters to the Planning Commission. These laws are codified in Article 14 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code.

This Legislature further finds and determines that Local Law No. 30-1991 authorized the Suffolk County Department of Planning to charge application fees in connection with certain applications for municipal zoning and subdivision actions referred to the Suffolk County Planning Commission.

This Legislature finds that the fee schedule established in the Administrative Code has not been updated since 1995.

This Legislature determines that the Department of Planning has conducted a review of fee schedules of other counties in the region and has proposed revisions to § A14-26 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend § A14-26 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to set a new fee schedule for the Planning Commission that is consistent with the fees charged by other counties.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all applications made on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-109 Local Law No. 16-2012 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds that a strong economic base is the foundation upon which the future of Suffolk County is built and in order to provide for a prosperous and thriving economy, the County must foster and nurture the growth of every aspect of the economic development of this County.

This Legislature also finds that because economic development and planning is of paramount importance for the growth of Long Island, and those functions are so closely associated with land use, land development, and the environment, that all five functions should be consolidated into one department.

This Legislature further finds that it is in the best interest of this County to create the Department of Economic Development and Planning and transfer all of the functions of the Department of Planning to this department due to the structural budget challenges the County faces as a result of decreased sales tax revenue and increased expenses.

This Legislature determines that the creation of this new department will not only centralize the responsibility for economic development, planning, land use, land development, and the environment into one department, but will enable the County to better meet the needs of its diverse, complex, and ever-changing economy and communities in which its residents live.

This Legislature also finds and determines that all County elected officials have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars are prudently and economically spent. This Legislature also has a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that public moneys are used in the best interest of County taxpayers, and by consolidating these five functions, these responsibilities are being met.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to create the Department of Economic Development and Planning and to transfer the functions of the Department of Planning into this newly created department.

Section 5. Transition and applicability provisions.

A.) This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

B.) Any reference to the Department of Environment and Energy in any other resolution, local law, charter law, ordinance, chapter of the Suffolk County Code, rule or regulation of the County of Suffolk or in any other state or federal law, rule or regulation, shall be construed to mean reference to the Department of Economic Development and Planning and any reference to the Commissioner of the Department of Environment and Energy in any other resolution, local law, charter law, ordinance, chapter of the Suffolk County Code, rule or regulation of the County of Suffolk or in any other state or federal law, rule or regulation, shall be construed to mean reference to the Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development and Planning.

C.) Any reference to the Division of Real Estate in the County Department of Planning, also referred to as the County Department of Planning, Division of Real Estate, in any other resolution, local law, charter law, ordinance, chapter of the Suffolk County Code, rule, or regulation of the County of Suffolk or in any other state or federal law, rule, or regulation, shall be construed to mean reference to the County Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management in the Department of Economic Development and Planning, and any reference to the Director of the Division of Real Estate in the County Department of Planning or the County Department of Planning, Division of Real Estate, in any other resolution, local law, charter law, ordinance, chapter of the Suffolk County Code, rule, or regulation of the County of Suffolk or in any other state or federal law, rule or regulation, shall be construed to mean reference to the Director of Real Estate of the Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management in the Department of Economic Development and Planning, anything in any other laws or regulations to the contrary notwithstanding.

D.) Any reference to the Department of Planning in any other resolution, local law, charter law, ordinance, chapter of the Suffolk County Code, rule or regulation of the County of Suffolk or in any other state or federal law, rule or regulation, shall be construed to mean reference to the Department of Economic Development and Planning and any reference to the Commissioner or Director of the Department of Planning in any other resolution, local law, charter law, chapter of the Suffolk County Code, rule, or regulation of the County of Suffolk or in any state or federal law, rule, or regulation, shall be construed to mean the Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development and Planning, anything in any other laws or regulations to the contrary notwithstanding.

E.) Any reference to the Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management in the County Department of Environment and Energy in any other resolution, local law, charter law, ordinance, chapter of the Suffolk County Code, rule or regulation of the County of Suffolk or in any other state or federal law, rule or regulation, shall be construed to mean reference to the County Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management in the Department of Economic Development and Planning, and any reference to the Director of the Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management in the County Department of Environment and Energy in any other resolution, local law, charter law, ordinance, chapter of the Suffolk County Code, rule or regulation of the County of Suffolk or in any other state or federal law, rule or regulation, shall be construed to mean reference to the Director of Real Estate of the Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management in the Department of Economic Development and Planning, anything in any other laws or regulations to the contrary notwithstanding.

F.) In the event the term "Department" is defined as the Department of Planning in any other resolution, local law, charter law, ordinance, chapter of the Suffolk County Code, rule or regulation of the County of Suffolk or in any other state or federal law, rule or regulation, such definition shall be construed to mean the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning.

G.) All County departments shall cooperate fully with the Commissioner of the County Department of Economic Development and Planning, or his or her designee, in all phases of implementing the provisions of this law.

§ AA-110 Local Law No. 17-2012 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

The Suffolk County Legislature finds and determines that, with certain exceptions, the Suffolk County Administrative Code currently requires a person entering County service to have his or her residence within the County of Suffolk, and to maintain such residence during the person's entire term of County service.

The Suffolk County Legislature further finds that it is in the best interest of Suffolk County to encourage an expansive range of individuals to seek County employment.

The Legislature finds that broad Suffolk County employee residency requirements will result in attracting a diverse number of applicants for employment and also serve to attract qualified applicants for "difficult-to-fill" positions within County government.

The Legislature further finds that employment residency requirements are material to the sound administration of Suffolk County government; therefore they are best set forth in a Charter law.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to enact a Charter law establishing the residency requirements for Suffolk County employment, consistent with the powers granted to a Charter county pursuant to New York Municipal Home Rule Sections 33 and 34 relating to the structure of charter county government and the way it is to function.

Section 4. Applicability.

Subdivision (B)(2) of this law shall apply to any person entering, or currently in, County service on or after the effective date of this law. All other sections of this law shall apply to any person entering County service on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-111 Local Law No. 23-2012 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature is empowered under the Suffolk County Administrative Code and the Rules of the Legislature to appoint the members of the Legislature's standing committees.

This Legislature also finds that while the Legislature's Presiding Officer has traditionally established special ad hoc committees and appointed their members, this authority is not set forth clearly in the Administrative Code or legislative rules.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend the Suffolk County Administrative Code to clarify the Presiding Officer's authority to establish special committees and appoint their membership.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-112 Local Law No. 24-2012 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk, through its Department of Planning, owns and operates the Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach.

This Legislature further finds that the Suffolk County Airport Lease Screening Committee was created in 1998 to make determinations as to the "feasibility, viability and desirability" of any proposed lease of buildings, land or facilities at the Airport and, in most cases, these determinations were not subject to legislative approval.

This Legislature also determines that the Airport Lease Screening Committee has been abolished and, therefore, this Legislature now reviews and votes on all leases at the County Airport.

This Legislature further finds that the citizens and businesses that live and operate near Gabreski Airport have a special interest in the future development of the Airport.

This Legislature also finds that there should be a community-based panel that reviews proposed leases and licenses at Gabreski Airport and issues advisory recommendations to this Legislature, the County Executive and the Council on Environmental Quality ("CEQ").

This Legislature further determines that an advisory panel was created by Executive Order in 2006, but this group lacks the formal, statutory authority to advise the County Legislature and the ("CEQ").

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to create the Gabreski Airport Conservation and Assessment Committee to advise and review the airport's proposed leases and licenses and provide recommendations to this Legislature, the County Executive, and the CEQ.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-113 Local Law No. 35-2012 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Local Law No. 11-2012 amended the Real Property Tax Service Agency's Tax Map Verification fees.

This Legislature also finds that Local Law No. 11-2012 referenced fees charged for "temporary or dummy number assigned". The Real Property Tax Service Agency advises this Legislature that they no longer utilize temporary or dummy numbers and any reference to temporary or dummy numbers should be deleted from the County's law.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to make a technical correction to the Tax Map Verification fee schedule to eliminate the unnecessary reference to temporary or dummy numbers.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-114 Local Law No. 37-2012 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk enacted Local Law No. 13-2011 to afford persons displaced from their homes by a hurricane, flood or tornado to participate in, and benefit from, the County's affordable housing program.

This Legislature also finds that certain provisions of Local Law No. 13-2011 have proven to be too restrictive and are frustrating the law's intent, to help persons who lose their homes in a natural disaster find new affordable housing.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend the County's affordable housing program to enhance the County's ability to provide affordable housing to persons who have been dislocated and displaced by a natural disaster.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-115 Local Law No. 43-2012 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Resolution No. 214-2012 formally created and codified the Gabreski Airport Conservation and Assessment Committee. This Committee is authorized to review and make advisory recommendations regarding proposed licenses and leases at the airport.

This Legislature also finds and determines that it is necessary to make several technical changes to Resolution No. 214-2012 (codified at § A34-2 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code) to ensure the proper functioning of this advisory group.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Section A34-2 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to add one member to the Gabreski Airport Committee and clarify the Committee's jurisdiction.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-116 Local Law No. 45-2012 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature finds and determines that a new Board of Ethics was formed under Local Law No. 56-2011, codified at Article XXX of the Suffolk County Charter and Article XXX of the Suffolk County Administrative Code, and that a new Ethics and Accountability law was adopted via Local Law No. 55-2011, codified at Chapter 77 of the Code of Suffolk County.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the new Board was recently fully constituted with a total of five members.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the Board has reviewed the Code and the Charter provisions and determined that certain transitional provisions and efficiencies need to be added to the Charter so that the Board may effectively carry out its duties.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend the Suffolk County Charter to add transitional provisions and efficiencies that will allow the Board to effectively carry out the duties with which it has been entrusted under the law.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall have retroactive applicability and apply to all actions occurring on or after March 28, 2012.

Section 6. Effective Date.

This law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ AA-117 Local Law No. 49-2012 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that a Suffolk County Grand Jury was empanelled to investigate matters related to the former Suffolk County Ethics Commission. The Grand Jury issued a report of its findings and recommendations on April 18, 2012.

This Legislature further finds that the Grand Jury concluded that a small number of County officials, including individuals associated with the Ethics Commission itself, acted improperly for personal and political gain and thereby destroyed the integrity of the Commission.

This Legislature finds and determines that the Grand Jury made a number of recommendations to safeguard the independence and integrity of the County's ethics program going forward.

This Legislature, after pursuing its own independent investigation of the Suffolk County Ethics Commission, enacted Local Laws 55 and 56 of 2011. These laws updated the County's Code of Ethics, abolished the Ethics Commission and established a new Board of Ethics.

This Legislature determines that Local Laws 55-2011 and 56-2011 anticipated and implemented several critical reforms that were recommended by the Grand Jury, including:

1. Increased the size of the Board of Ethics to five members to inoculate the Board from improper influence.

2. Established time guidelines for the Board of Ethics to issue advisory opinions and determine ethics complaints.

3. Delineated procedural guidelines to govern advisory opinions, complaints, hearings and financial disclosure.

4. Provided remuneration to members of the Board of Ethics.

5. Required the Board to respond to requests for financial disclosure statements from members of the public in the order that they are received and within the time periods prescribed by the Freedom of Information Law.

This Legislature also finds that Local Law Nos. 55-2011 and 56-2011 included other important reforms to strengthen the integrity, independence and transparency of the ethics process. Ethics board members are now prohibited from making contributions to County elected officials and candidates; the Boards' offices can no longer be sited in a building occupied by the County Executive or County Legislature; and advisory opinions must now be made public (with such deletions as are necessary to prevent the disclosure of the identity of the person who requested the opinion).

This Legislature further finds and determines that further improvements can be made to the County's ethics process by incorporating certain recommendations of the Grand Jury.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to enact certain recommendations of the Suffolk County Grand Jury that investigated the former Ethics Commission to protect the independence and integrity of the new Board of Ethics and to ensure that the County's process for enforcing ethical standards is never again improperly subverted.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-118 Local Law No. 50-2012 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature finds that the County currently has a Division of Medical-Legal Investigations and Forensic Sciences within the Department of Health Services, which is headed by the Chief Medical Examiner.

This Legislature determines that the Division of Medical-Legal Investigations and Forensic Sciences coordinates with several law enforcement agencies, including the Suffolk County Police Department, the Sheriff's Office and the District Attorney, to provide essential information associated with ongoing investigations.

This Legislature also finds that currently, the Division of Medical-Legal Investigations and Forensic Sciences reports to the Department of Health Services.

This Legislature further finds and determines that, to ensure a competent, professional examination of forensic scientific evidence and deceased individuals, the County needs a department which specializes in forensic sciences.

This Legislature further finds that, due to the sensitive nature of its work and its importance to the County, the Division of Medical-Legal Investigations and Forensic Sciences should be established as an independent office.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to establish an independent Office of the Medical Examiner in the Suffolk County Charter.

Section 4. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-119 Local Law No. 9-2013 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Chapter 388 of the 2012 Laws of the State of New York authorizes the County of Suffolk to establish a Traffic and Parking Violations Agency to assist the Suffolk County District Court in the disposition and administration of traffic and parking violations.

This Legislature further finds that a new Traffic and Parking Violations Agency can administer and dispose of traffic and parking violations in a more efficient manner and provide fiscal relief to Suffolk County's Government and taxpayers.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to establish a Suffolk County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency.

Section 3. Implementing provisions.

A. Agency Funding. The County Legislature may appropriate the monies which, in the Legislature's sole discretion, are necessary for the compensation of those persons selected to serve as Executive Director and traffic prosecutors and to cover all other expenses associated with the administration of the Agency.

B. Staffing. All employees, with the exception of judicial hearing officers and traffic prosecutors, will be in positions previously approved by the Suffolk County Legislature as part of the salary and classification plan.

C. Notification. The Clerk of the Suffolk County Legislature is hereby directed to notify New York State's Legislative Bill Drafting Commission when this local law is filed in the Office of the Secretary of State.

Section 4. Applicability.

Notwithstanding that the Agency is authorized to commence operations not sooner than April 1, 2013, this law shall apply to all actions on or after the effective date of this law and to all actions otherwise taken heretofore related to the establishment, maintenance and operation of the Agency.

§ AA-120 Local Law No. 10-2013 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

The Legislature finds that the County Department of Social Services is required by statute, regulation and State directive to arrange temporary housing assistance for all eligible homeless individuals, including those who are registered sex offenders.

This Legislature further finds that the registered homeless sex offender population represents less than 4% of the sex offender population residing in Suffolk County. Despite this small percentage, the homeless sex offender has been the central focus of policy debate and discussion regarding sex offenders in Suffolk County while the overwhelming majority of sex offenders residing in the County have not received such attention.

This Legislature further finds that there is a need to implement a law enforcement policy that focuses attention on 100% of the sex offenders in the County.

This Legislature further finds that Legislative Resolution 417-2010, requiring the creation of six mini-shelters throughout the County for the purpose of clustering six homeless sex offenders per mini-shelter is not in the best interests of Suffolk County. Based on the current homeless sex offender population and its anticipated growth in the County, Resolution 417-2010 would need to be immediately amended to increase the shelter number from six to seven shelters.

This Legislature further finds that Suffolk County should not spend taxpayer dollars to build special facilities for homeless sex offenders, that instead this 4% of the sex offender population should be treated no differently than the other 96%.

This Legislature further finds that it is in the best interests of the County to use the resources required to implement the homeless sex offender mini-shelter plan to instead implement the toughest sex offender monitoring, verification and enforcement law in the nation.

This Legislature further finds that the monitoring, enforcement and verification program introduced by the Suffolk County Police Department will significantly enhance the safety and security of all communities in Suffolk County by focusing not just on the 4% of homeless sex offenders in the County but on all 100% of sex offenders residing in Suffolk County.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is make families and communities in Suffolk County safer by the Suffolk County Police Department implementing a series of enforcement, monitoring and verification measures focusing on all sex offenders residing in the County including homeless sex offenders. This law puts the Suffolk County Police Department at the center of the decision making process regarding the placement of homeless sex offenders to insure that public safety is the driving force behind placement decisions. In addition, this law provides the discretion necessary for the Suffolk County Police Department and the Department of Social Services to develop a comprehensive and supervised approach to providing emergency shelter assistance for homeless sex offenders as required under New York State Law and in coordination with the County's client service agencies.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to emergency shelter assistance provided to hard to place individuals occurring on or after its effective date.

§ AA-121 Local Law No. 28-2013 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk overhauled its ethics program by enacting Local Law Nos. 55-2011 and 56-2011.

This Legislature further finds that Local Law No. 56-2011 for the first time established procedures and timelines for the issuance of advisory opinions by the Board of Ethics.

This Legislature also finds that the Board of Ethics receives requests for advisory opinions from prospective County employees about potential conflicts of interest and from former County employees about post-employment restrictions.

This Legislature determines that the Board of Ethics believes their authority to issue advisory opinions to prospective and former County employees should be expressly set forth in the County's ethics statute.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the County's ethics bodies have traditionally issued advisory opinions to prospective and former County Employees.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend the County's ethic's statute to clarify that the County Board of Ethics has the authority to issue advisory opinions to prospective and former County employees.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-122 Local Law No. 35-2013 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management is required to maintain pools of qualified title insurance companies and appraisers, which are subject to legislative approval on a periodic basis.

This Legislature also finds that a 2010 Audit Report of the Suffolk County Comptroller recommended that the Suffolk County Legislature review and approve other lists of vendors used by the Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management in the land acquisition process, specifically surveyors and environmental assessment firms.

This Legislature determines that the Comptroller also recommended that the Division utilize a Request for Qualifications ("RFQ") process every three years to identify qualified vendors to assist the County's land acquisition process.

This Legislature concludes that the Comptroller's recommendations, if implemented, would promote competition and ensure fairness and transparency in the awarding of contracts.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to require the Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management to issue a Request for Qualifications on a regular basis to identify qualified vendors to utilize in the land acquisition process, and to further require the Division to submit their lists of surveyors and environmental assessment firms for review and approval by the County Legislature.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-123 Local Law No. 2-2014 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Resolution No. 131-1973 established an Advisory Board on Child Protection ("the Board") to help protect children from abuse and neglect.

This Legislature finds that certain provisions regarding the composition and operation of the Board need to be updated.

This Legislature determines that the Family Law Bureau in the County Attorney's Office now handles child protective services cases and, therefore, should be represented on the Board.

This Legislature also finds that the non-governmental members of the Board should be appointed to fixed terms to ensure continuity of the Board's membership.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to update the existing structure of the Child Protective Advisory Board.

Section 3. Transition.

The terms of office of the current members of the Child Protective Advisory Board shall terminate upon the effective date of this law. These members may continue to serve in a holdover capacity until their successors are approved.

Section 4. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-124 Local Law No. 22-2014 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislature intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the procedures for selecting a Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature, and the filling of vacancies in these offices, are set forth in the Suffolk County Administrative Code and the Rules of the County Legislature.

This Legislature determines that the existing provisions for filling vacancies in the offices of Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer are inadequate to ensure that these offices are filled in a timely and efficient manner. For example, the office of Deputy Presiding Officer remained vacant and unfilled for the last four months of 2013.

This Legislature further finds and determines that a mid-year vacancy in the offices of the Presiding Officer or Deputy Presiding Officer has the potential to ignite a protracted political battle and bring County government to a grinding halt. Accordingly, a new procedure should be established that will allow such vacancies to be filled quickly so that the Legislature can continue to function without interruption.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to streamline the process for filling vacancies in the offices of the County Legislature's Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to the filling of vacancies in the offices of the Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer of the County Legislature occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-125 Local Law No. 23-2014 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk has enacted several laws and resolutions that govern the sale and/or disposal of surplus County personal property.

This Legislature further finds the County's rules for disposing of surplus personal property should be consolidated and clarified for the purposes of extending the useful life of the surplus property and maximizing the economic return to County taxpayers.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to consolidate and clarify the County's procedures for disposing of surplus personal property.

Section 4. Applicability.

This law shall apply to disposing of surplus personal property occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-126 Local Law No. 32-2014 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds that, under the present organization of Suffolk County government, Suffolk County finances are administered by two separate departments headed by two independently elected officials, i.e., the County Comptroller and County Treasurer, which offices interact regularly.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the respective roles of the County Treasurer and County Comptroller in directing the cash management administration for Suffolk County and exercising the auditing, borrowing, and appropriation control functions of the County have been divided in such a manner as to splinter the financial management duties of the County of Suffolk.

This Legislature further finds that structural reforms will implement economies of scale and cut spending. Enactment of this local law will help to reduce costs to the County on a recurring basis by surgically striking spending via the elimination of working unit overlap.

This Legislature further finds that a transfer of the functions and responsibilities of the Department of Finance and Taxation to a unified Department of Audit and Control will result in cash savings to the County and more efficient financial management through consolidation of functions, streamlining of operations, increased and improved application of computerization, more accurate and timely cash-flow analysis and the coordination and cooperation inherent in a unified operation.

This Legislature further determines that the consolidation of fiscal functions in the Department of Audit and Control will help ensure and promote the fiscal integrity of the County while enhancing effective administration and monitoring of financial activities.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to transfer and consolidate the functions of the Department of Finance and Taxation within the Department of Audit and Control.

Section 3. Transition and Implementation Provisions.

[Amended 6-2-2015 by L.L. No. 26-2015]

A.) This law shall be implemented as follows:

1.) The County Department of Finance and Taxation, the elected Office and position of County Treasurer, the positions of Chief Deputy County Treasurer, Deputy County Treasurer, and consistent with Civil Service Law §§ 41 and 42, shall all be abolished as of midnight, December 31, 2015. The elected Office and position of County Treasurer shall not be filled in the election of 2017 and in any subsequently held election. The individual currently serving as the County Treasurer shall serve until December 31, 2015. The functions of the Department of Finance and Taxation shall merge and be incorporated with the Department of Audit and Control January 1, 2016.

2.) Except as otherwise set forth in this section, any positions of employment within the Suffolk County Department of Finance and Taxation shall be abolished and/or transferred, as the case may be, via appropriate resolution amending the Suffolk County Salary and Classification plan, as of January 1, 2016, to the Department of Audit and Control. Any positions of employment that have not been abolished shall be transferred so as to retain the incumbent individual in said position of employment as the individual so employed in that position by the new office or department to which such position is transferred.

3.) The County Executive, County Treasurer and the County Comptroller are hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to take such actions as shall be necessary to transfer, integrate, and consolidate the functions of the Department of Finance and Taxation into the Suffolk County Department of Audit and Control, including, but not limited to, cost reductions consistent with the consolidation of the two departments.

4.) Any reference in any provision of any resolution, ordinance, Charter law, or local law of the County of Suffolk, the Suffolk County Tax Act, any other general or special law of the State of New York and any federal law, rule or regulation to the County Treasurer subsequent to December 31, 2015 shall be construed as a reference to the County Comptroller. Any such resolution, ordinance, Charter law, or local law of the County of Suffolk is hereby so amended.

5.) Any reference in any provision of any resolution, ordinance, Charter law, or local law of the County of Suffolk, the Suffolk County Tax Act, any other general or special law of the State of New York and any federal law, rule or regulation to the County Department of Finance and Taxation subsequent to December 31, 2015 shall be construed as a reference to the Department of Audit and Control. Any such resolution, ordinance, Charter law, or local law of the County of Suffolk is hereby so amended.

6.) The Department of Finance and Taxation shall transfer all files and records to the Suffolk County Department of Audit and Control no later than December 31, 2015.

7.) All County departments shall cooperate fully in implementing the provisions of this law.

Section 4. Form of Proposition.

The proposition to be submitted at the next general election, pursuant to § 9 of this law, shall be in the following form:

Resolution No. -2014 A Charter Law to Consolidate Financial Management Functions in the County Department of Audit and Control

"Resolution No. -2014, is a Charter Law that proposes to transfer and consolidate the functions of the Department of Finance and Taxation into the Department of Audit and Control, headed by a County Comptroller elected from the general population. If approved, this Resolution will eliminate the existing office of County Treasurer and consolidate all powers and duties of the Treasurer in the office of the County Comptroller, effective January 1, 2018.

Shall Resolution No. -2014 be approved?"

Section 5. Applicability.

A.) The County Department of Finance and Taxation, the elected Office and position of County Treasurer, the positions of Chief Deputy County Treasurer and Deputy County Treasurer shall remain in existence through December 31, 2015. The elected Office and position of County Treasurer shall not be filled in the election of 2015 and in any subsequently held election. The individual currently serving as the County Treasurer shall serve until December 31, 2015.

[Amended 6-2-2015 by L.L. No. 26-2015]

B.) This local law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

Section 6. Limitations on Term of Office.

This law, if approved by the voters of Suffolk County, shall not be construed as amending, limiting or abridging the limitations on terms of office set forth in § C5-1(B) and Local Law No. 27-1993.

Section 9. Effective Date. This law shall not take effect until it has been approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified electors of the County of Suffolk voting upon a proposition for its approval in conformity with the provisions of Section 34 of the New York Municipal Home Rule Law and has been filed in the office of the Secretary of State, and the repeal of Article XV of the Suffolk County Charter and Article XV of the Suffolk County Administrative Code shall not take effect until January 1, 2016. It shall be implemented on the dates set forth in section 3 hereinabove, as amended.

[Amended 6-8-2015 by L.L. No. 26-2015]

Section 10. Conflicting Referenda.

In the event that there are other referenda on the ballot, pertaining to or addressing substantially the same issues as are contained in this law, then the provisions of the measure approved by the electorate receiving the greatest number of affirmative votes, shall prevail, and the alternative measure, or measures, as the case may be, shall be deemed null and void.

§ AA-127 Local Law No. 2-2015 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the shortage of affordable housing is one of the most pressing and difficult issues facing Long Island and Suffolk County policymakers today.

This Legislature also finds that a healthy inventory of affordable housing is a key factor in retaining young workers and building a strong, durable local economy.

This Legislature further determines that the County of Suffolk has moved aggressively in recent years to aid and assist in creating affordable workforce housing. One of the key components of the County's program is the 72-h transfer program whereby the County conveys surplus real property to towns and villages, at no cost, for the express purpose of creating workforce housing.

This Legislature further determines that the County's affordable housing program should be amended to authorize the County to convey surplus real property directly to not-for-profit corporations that construct affordable housing for military veterans.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Article 36 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to authorize the County of Suffolk to transfer surplus real property directly to not-for-profit corporations for the purpose of creating affordable housing for veterans and their families.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-128 Local Law No. 12-2015 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk has preserved thousands of acres of parkland so its residents may enjoy the benefits of nature and have easy access to recreational opportunities.

This Legislature further finds that New York State has the authority to take County parkland under its eminent domain powers and, in fact, the State recently acquired County parkland in Smithtown under eminent domain.

This Legislature also finds that typically New York State will not allow a local government to alienate parkland unless it acquires additional parkland as an offset. However, the County was not required to use the monies received from New York State as compensation for the Smithtown taking to buy additional parkland.

This Legislature concludes that the County should use any funds it receives as compensation for the taking of parkland for the sole purpose of acquiring additional parkland.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend the Suffolk County Administrative Code to require the County to use any funds obtained as a result of the taking of parkland through eminent domain for the acquisition of parkland.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-129 Local Law No. 14-2015 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Local Law No. 23-1974 established the Suffolk County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council ("CJCC") to enhance cooperation and coordination among the County's law enforcement and criminal justice agencies.

This Legislature further finds that the Board of the CJCC has reviewed its operations and recommended that the size of its membership be reduced.

This Legislature agrees that the membership of the CJCC should be reduced from its current number of 29 in order to reduce the number of vacancies and enhance the efficient operations of the Council.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to reduce the size of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council from 29 to 21 members.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

Section 6. Effective Date.

This law shall take effect 30 days after its filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ AA-130 Local Law No. 27-2015 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Local Law No. 24-2012 formally established and codified the Gabreski Airport Conservation and Assessment Committee ("Conservation and Assessment Committee"). This committee is authorized to review and make advisory recommendations regarding proposed licenses and leases at the airport.

This Legislature also finds and determines that Gabreski Airport is located within the area designated as the Central Pine Barrens by the 1993 New York State Pine Barrens Protection Act.

This Legislature also finds and determines that as a result of the ecologically sensitive location of the airport, the Gabreski Airport Community Advisory Board prepared the Gabreski Airport Proposed Land Use Plan, last dated March 15, 2007.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the Gabreski Airport Proposed Land Use Plan established areas within the airport that are available for future development and the areas that would remain in their natural state in accordance with the 1993 New York State Pine Barrens Protection Act.

This Legislature also finds and determines that it is necessary to amend the Suffolk County Administrative Code to ensure that the Airport Conservation and Assessment Committee continues to consider the Gabreski Airport Proposed Land Use Plan or any future revisions of such plan when it reviews proposed aviation development at the airport.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Article 34 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to state expressly that the Conservation and Assessment Committee will consider the Gabreski Airport Proposed Land Use Plan when reviewing applications for licenses or leases at the airport.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-131 Local Law No. 34-2015 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature finds and determines that the 2016 Operating Budget includes revenue from increased tax map verification fees collected by the County Clerk on behalf of the Real Property Tax Service Agency.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to increase tax map verification fees in Suffolk County to offset administrative expenses.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all instruments presented for recording or filing occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-132 Local Law No. 35-2015 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature finds that Local Law No. 18-2012 (Article IV of Chapter 155 of the Administrative Local Laws) authorized the creation of the Suffolk County Landbank Corporation ("SCLC"), a not-for-profit corporation established in accordance with Article 16 of New York State Not-For-Profit Corporation Law, that is empowered to acquire an interest in and take discretionary action with regard to vacant, abandoned tax-delinquent, and tax- foreclosed properties that could not otherwise be disposed of, and facilitate the return of such properties to productive use.

This Legislature further finds that Section A40-3 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code sets forth procedures for the release/redemption of real property acquired by Suffolk County pursuant to § 46 of the Suffolk County Tax Act.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the SCLC is a legal entity separate and apart from the County of Suffolk and therefore, such procedures for the release/redemption of property pursuant to Article 40 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code do not apply to interests in tax-delinquent or tax-foreclosed properties acquired by the SCLC.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to clarify the applicability of the release/redemption procedure authorized by Section A40-3 of Article XL, of the Suffolk County Administrative Code as it relates to the SCLC.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all tax-delinquent properties, the lien or liens for which are transferred to the SCLC on or after the effective date of this law.

Section 6. Effective Date.

This law shall not take effect until at least 60 days after its adoption, nor until approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified electors of the County of Suffolk voting on a proposition for its approval if within 60 days after its adoption there is filed with the Clerk of the County Legislature a petition protesting against this law in conformity with the provisions of Section 34(4) of the New York Municipal Home Rule Law and upon filing in the office of the Secretary of State.

§ AA-133 Local Law No. 23-2016 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the Suffolk County Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan ("the Comprehensive Plan") identified excess nitrogen levels as the number one threat to Suffolk County's water quality.

This Legislature also finds that excess nitrogen, primarily resulting from hundreds of thousands of residential cesspools and septic systems, has caused harmful algal blooms, the diminution of the County's shellfisheries and degradation of wetlands and sea grass beds that act as wave and storm surge buffers.

This Legislature determines that the County of Suffolk is pursuing multiple strategies to protect its groundwater and surface water resources. One point of emphasis is reducing the flow of nitrogen from cesspools and septic systems to the County's groundwater and surface waters.

This Legislature finds that one recommendation offered in the Comprehensive Plan is for the County to identify tax default properties that would be appropriate for the siting of small, decentralized septic treatment systems that can serve multiple residences. These decentralized systems would replace cesspools and reduce the amount of nitrogen being released into the environment.

This Legislature finds that the County of Suffolk has authorized funding for the installation of enhanced nitrogen removal septic systems through the Suffolk County Drinking Water Protection Program (Suffolk County Charter Article 12) and the Enhanced Water Quality Protection Program (Article 12A of the Suffolk County Charter).

This Legislature concludes that it is in the best interests of the residents of Suffolk County for the County of Suffolk to begin to set aside properties that could house small decentralized sewage treatment systems.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is authorize the Department of Health Services and the Division of Planning and Environment to screen tax default properties and recommend to the County Legislature parcels that should be retained by the County for potential use as decentralized septic treatment systems.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

Section 6. Effective Date.

This law shall take effect six months immediately subsequent to its filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ AA-134 Local Law No. 26-2016 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County's tax map verification fee was increased by the enactment of Local Law No. 34-2015.

This Legislature further finds that several homeowners associations that have recorded amendments to their by-laws with the County Clerk this year have been required to pay fees amounting to tens of thousands of dollars.

This Legislature also finds that that the County's statute setting the tax map verification fee at one time capped the fee when a person or entity sought to record documents affecting multiple parcels.

This Legislature concludes that a cap on tax map verification fees should be reinstated to avoid the imposition of excessive recording fees.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to place a reasonable cap on tax map verification fees when a recording affects numerous parcels.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all instruments presented for recording or filing occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

Section 6. Effective Date.

This law shall take effect on January 1, 2017.

§ AA-135 Local Law No. 35-2016 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature finds and determines that property held by the Suffolk County Police Property Bureau consists, in part, of stolen and abandoned property.

This Legislature further finds that the Suffolk County Police Department does not have the resources available to purchase property to use in compliance check operations at precious metal and gem exchange establishments and dealers in secondhand articles.

This Legislature also finds that under the current local law, the Police Department cannot use stolen or abandoned property in compliance check operations.

This Legislature further finds that stolen property is often sold to precious metal and gem exchange establishments or dealers in secondhand articles by drug addicted people, and the cash received from such transactions are often used to sustain their drug addiction.

This Legislature also finds that some precious metal and gem exchange establishments and dealers in secondhand articles may not properly document such transactions and may not abide by Suffolk County's required record keeping laws.

This Legislature also finds that by conducting compliance check operations at precious metal and gem exchange establishments and dealers in secondhand articles, the Police Department will be able to more effectively investigate and prosecute persons who sell stolen property, reduce the ability of drug addicts to fund their addiction with stolen property proceeds, and more efficiently enforce the provisions of Chapter 563, Articles IV and V of the Suffolk County Code, commonly known as "Precious Metal and Gem Exchanges" and "Dealers in Secondhand Articles."

This Legislature further finds that § 1310 of the New York State Abandoned Property Law was amended by the State Legislature in 1981 to shorten from six to two years the period for which an entity is required to hold unclaimed abandoned property before the entity may request that the State Comptroller receive such property.

This Legislature also finds that since § A13-10 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code still refers to such period as being six years, § A13-10 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code should be amended so as to be consistent with § 13-10 of the State Abandoned Property Law.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to amend Section A13-10 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to authorize the Police Commissioner to use stolen and abandoned property held by the Suffolk County Police Property Bureau during compliance check operations at precious metal and gem exchange establishments and dealers in secondhand articles.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all property held by the Suffolk County Police Property Bureau on or after the Effective Date of this law.

§ AA-136 Local Law No. 36-2016 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature finds and determines that the 2017 Operating Budget includes increased revenue for tax map verification fees for mortgage instruments, and such fees are collected by the County Clerk on behalf of the Real Property Tax Service Agency.

This Legislature also finds and determines that Local Law No. 26-2016, which shall become effective on January 1, 2017, amended section A18-3(G) of the SUFFOLK COUNTY CODE, and that section A18-3(G) is the same section of the SUFFOLK COUNTY CODE requiring modification for the increase of verification fees for mortgage instruments.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to increase tax map verification fees for mortgage instruments in Suffolk County to offset administrative expenses by amending Local Law No. 26-2016, and to ensure the smooth implementation of both acts of this Legislature.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all instruments presented for recording or filing occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-137 Local Law No. 10-2017 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the Suffolk County Legislature established a new, independent Board of Ethics and adopted strong conflict of interest and financial disclosure rules by the enactment of Local Law Nos. 55-2011 and 56-2011.

This Legislature further finds that it is necessary to amend the laws governing the Board of Ethics to allow the Board to carry out its mission more effectively.

This Legislature also finds that the rules governing public access to financial disclosure statements must be clarified to ensure that the Legislature's desire for transparency and the goal of uncovering conflicts of interest by public officials is carried out by the Board of Ethics.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to update and revise the laws governing the Board of Ethics to enhance the Board's operations and strengthen transparency.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-138 Local Law No. 11-2017 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk regularly acquires real property due to non-payment of property taxes.

This Legislature finds that the County sells many of these parcels at auction to the highest bidder; other parcels are transferred to towns and villages for affordable housing and other public purposes for nominal consideration.

This Legislature determines that the County is currently facing substantial fiscal issues that can be eased, in part, by ensuring that the maximum number of properties are sold at auction to the highest bidder.

This Legislature also finds that many municipalities are willing to purchase parcels located within their jurisdictions at the price offered by the highest bidder at auction, but no mechanism exists which allows them to do so.

This Legislature further finds that in order to maximize the County's revenue from real property auctions and still allow municipalities to identify and purchase parcels for strategic revitalization of their communities, municipalities should be permitted to match the highest bid offered at auction for certain parcels, and acquire those parcels.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to allow towns and villages a greater opportunity to acquire properties offered for sale at auction by the County.

Section 3. Authority of amend auction rules.

The County Real Estate Division is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to review and, if necessary, update the current auction rules to comport with the provisions of this law.

Section 4. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all auctions held on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-139 Local Law No. 13-2017 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Local Law No. 23-1974 established the Suffolk County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council ("CJCC").

This Legislature also finds and determines that the adjudication of traffic and parking violations is on the criminal justice continuum and that the policies of the Suffolk County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency ("TPVA") impact other criminal justice and judicial agencies operating in Suffolk County.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the CJCC frequently discusses issues involving the TPVA, but the TPVA has no formal representation on the Council.

This Legislature concludes that the TPVA should be represented on the CJCC to provide the agency's perspective on the many important issues facing the Council.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Section A3-4 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to include the Executive Director of the Traffic and Parking Violations Agency on the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-140 Local Law No. 14-2017 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that obtaining decent, affordable housing can be difficult for low-and middle-income families in Suffolk County.

This Legislature also finds and determines that Suffolk County makes substantial monetary investments in affordable housing projects to increase the number of units that are available to County residents.

This Legislature determines that some of the housing units built with County support continue to be out of reach for many residents.

This Legislature also determines that existing provisions in County affordable housing laws are not consistent in the application of federal housing cost guidelines across programs and should be amended for clarity.

This Legislature finds that a provision in the Administrative Code currently allows other municipalities to waive affordability guidelines for County funded rental units within their jurisdictions. This provision should be deleted to ensure that rental units remain affordable in housing projects that are County funded.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is clarify affordability requirements in the County's affordable housing programs and eliminate the provision that allows other local governments to waive the County's affordability guidelines for rental units.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-141 Local Law No. 16-2017 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk enacted Local Law No. 30-1979 to require that the County Legislature approve, by resolution, the hiring or promotion of any person related to a high-ranking County elected or appointed official when such hiring or promotion did not result from a civil service competitive examination.

This Legislature finds that Local Law No. 30-1979 was enacted to ensure that the hiring and promotion of persons related to high-ranking County officials received adequate legislative and public scrutiny.

This Legislature further determines that subsequent amendments to Local Law No. 30-1979, while well intended, are superfluous, unnecessarily punitive, confusing and fail to improve transparency or advance any valid public policy goal.

This Legislature concludes that the core requirement that the hiring and promotion of persons related to high-ranking County officials be publically disclosed and approved by legislative resolution, should be retained and strengthened and that unnecessary and redundant provisions in the anti-nepotism statute should be eliminated.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend the Suffolk County Administrative Code to improve the County's anti-nepotism statute.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to the hiring and promotion of covered persons occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-142 Local Law No. 5-2018 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that pursuant to state and County law, towns and villages must refer certain zoning actions to the Suffolk County Planning Commission for its review and recommendation.

This Legislature further finds that zoning actions taken by towns and villages that affect real property lying with 500 feet of their boundaries with adjoining towns and villages is one category of action that must be referred to the Planning Commission.

This Legislature determines that Local Law No. 29-2006, codified at Section A14-15 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code, established a requirement that in those instances where a matter is referred to the Planning Commission by a town or village on the basis that the affected property lies within 500 feet of a town or village boundary, the Planning Commission must give notice of the referral to the adjoining towns and villages.

This Legislature also finds that the notice requirements established by Local Law No. 29-2006 have proven effective but must be refined to further the goal of effective regional planning.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to establish a strict time-line for the Planning Commission to notify adjoining towns and villages when it receives a referral of a zoning action because of its effect on real property lying within 500 feet of the town or village boundary.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-143 Local Law No. 7-2018 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk typically sells properties it acquires by tax default at a public auction.

This Legislature further finds that in some cases, the price the County receives at auction exceeds the amount the prior property owner owed in unpaid taxes, penalties and interest.

This Legislature determines that Local Law No. 33-2004 sought to eliminate "the gross unfairness that occurs when a residential owner-occupied property is sold by the County for a large sum with small sums being due for unpaid taxes." Local Law No. 33-2004 established a process that allows residential homeowners who have lost their property through tax default to apply for surplus monies realized by the County when that property is auctioned.

This Legislature finds that since Local Law No. 33-2004 was enacted, only a handful of prior property owners have successfully applied for and received surplus monies from an auction sale.

This Legislature concludes that the County should take affirmative steps to advise the prior owners of tax default properties of their right to apply for excess auction proceeds.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to establish a requirement that the Department of Economic Development and Planning make reasonable efforts to notify prior owners of tax default properties of their ability to apply for a distribution from the proceeds of an auction sale.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

Note 7 cont.

Section 6. Effective Date.

This law shall take effect on the 90th day immediately subsequent to filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ AA-144 Local Law No. 11-2019 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk takes title to properties when their owners fail to pay their real property taxes. Often, these parcels are sold by the County at public auction to the highest bidder.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the communities of Mastic and Shirley were significantly impacted by flooding during Superstorm Sandy and subsequent storms, and many parts of these communities never fully recovered from those storms.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the County's Comprehensive Master List for open space acquisition specifically identifies a conservation area in the Mastic-Shirley region; the County has prioritized acquiring parcels in this area to protect the coastal wetlands and surrounding properties that are prone to flooding.

This Legislature concludes that properties taken by the County for delinquent taxes in the designated Mastic-Shirley conservation area should not be offered for sale at public auction, but should instead be retained by the County and preserved as open space.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Chapter 40 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to prevent the auctioning of parcels in the Mastic-Shirley conservation district.

Section 3. Removal of structures.

The County shall be responsible for the removal of structures on parcels that are retained for open space purposes pursuant to this law. This provision shall not preclude the County from entering into an intermunicipal agreement whereby a town or village agrees to remove a structure or structures on preserved land.

Section 4. Transfers to town or village.

Nothing in this law shall prohibit the County from transferring a parcel retained pursuant to this law to a town or village for open space preservation purposes.

Section 5. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all parcels owned by the County pursuant to a tax deed on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-145 Local Law No. 18-2019 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that it is a best practice in municipal finances to establish a fund with the express purpose of funding certain uninsured losses, claims, actions, or judgments for which a local government is required to purchase or maintain insurance, with certain exceptions.

This Legislature further finds and determines that there is an existing County Liability and Casualty Reserve Fund ("the Fund"), as provided for in Chapter 145 of the Suffolk County Code and as authorized by Section 6-n of New York General Municipal Law.

This Legislature further finds and determines that since the Fund was established, Section 6-n of New York General Municipal Law has been amended and the New York State Comptroller has issued updated guidance on the creation and maintenance of such funds.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to rename the Fund and amend the Suffolk County Code to update the provisions governing the Fund to reflect current standards and the amendments to Section 6-n of the New York General Municipal Law.

§ AA-146 Local Law No. 19-2019 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature finds and determines that with the passage of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act by President Trump and the Congress, for the first time in tax history in the United States, a limit was placed on the amount a taxpayer could deduct for state and local taxes on a federal income tax return to $10,000.

This Legislature hereby further finds and determines that the cap is essentially a regional federal income tax surcharge on our residents.

This Legislature hereby further finds and determines that according to a NYSAC report issued April, 2018 46.3% of Suffolk County residents filed itemized tax returns, with an average itemized deduction of $31,251.

This Legislature hereby further finds and determines that the Long Island Congressional Delegation vehemently opposed the SALT cap, noting that New Yorkers already get short changed by federal government, getting $0.79 back from Washington for every dollar they pay in taxes or a shortfall of $48 billion annually.

This Legislature hereby further finds and determines that home sales are an important driver of local economic activity. The cap on this historical deduction created by President Trump and the Congress is hindrance to citizens in their pursuit of the American dream of homeownership.

This Legislature hereby further finds and determines that the SALT cap may have a significant negative impact on the local economy by negatively impacting the housing market.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the County should take steps to defray the cost of the local federal tax surcharge created by the SALT cap by reducing the cost of recording and filing fees on mortgage instruments by 20%.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to reduce fees to help defray the cost of the SALT cap.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all instruments presented for recording or filing occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-147 Local Law No. 21-2019 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk administers a number of affordable housing programs to aid in the development of rental and owner-occupied affordable housing units for the benefit of County residents.

This Legislature also finds and determines that Article XXXVI of the Suffolk County Administrative Code details the requirements developers and non-profit organizations must satisfy in order to obtain County assistance for affordable housing developments.

This Legislature further finds and determines that most rental properties are required to retain their affordability standards for a minimum of 10 years.

This Legislature finds that properties developed for first-time homebuyers at affordable prices are currently required to be owner-occupied for a period of five to 10 years. There is no restriction on the resale price of these properties after these time periods lapse.

This Legislature determines that properties that receive County investment as part of an affordable housing program should provide affordable housing in perpetuity to ensure that a permanent stock of units is available for qualified applicants.

This Legislature also finds that classifying properties as income-restricted affordable units will help future generations of residents remain on Long Island and grow with their communities.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Article XXXVI of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to require that a percentage of all parcels developed as affordable housing with the assistance of the County remain so in perpetuity.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all affordable housing projects that submit an application to the County on or after the effective date of this law and all transfers pursuant to the New York State General Municipal Law § 72-h transfer program which have an authorizing resolution approved by this Legislature on or after the effective date of this law.

Section 6. Effective Date.

This law shall take effect on the sixtieth day immediately subsequent to filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ AA-148 Local Law No. 24-2019 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that multi-year planning can be a vital tool for local governments.

This Legislature finds that strategic long-term budget planning is essential to fiscal discipline and sound decision making.

This Legislature hereby further finds and determines that a multi-year financial plan ("MYP") can help residents and elected local government officials see the impact of their fiscal decisions over time.

This Legislature further finds that financial planning uses forecasts to provide insight into future financial capacity so that strategies can be developed to achieve long-term sustainability in consistent with the County's service objective and potential financial challenges.

This Legislature further finds that the MYP may reveal a "projected budget imbalance, particularly if conservative estimates are used. These shortfalls, however, are only a function of projected revenue and expenditures assuming continuation of current policies and trends.

This Legislature further finds that the elected leaders can decide what program funding choices to make in advance, avoiding sudden tax increases or dramatic budget cuts.

This Legislature hereby further finds and determines that many municipal finance experts, including the New York State Comptroller and the Government Finance Officers Association recommend that local governments adopt a MYP.

This Legislature hereby further finds and determines that the Suffolk County Legislature from time to time has considered adoption of a multi-year budgeting resolution and, in fact, is most recently considered such pursuant to introductory Resolution Number 1572-2018.

This Legislature further finds and determines that a more expansive approach working in conjunction with the Executive branch of this government to reform the budgeting process consistent with recognized municipal accounting principles and best practices is the optimal approach.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to require that the County Executive submit on an annual basis, a MYP that approximates future expenditures, revenues, fund balances and offers budget mitigation measures where necessary.

Section 3. Applicability.

The requirements of this law shall apply to the expense budget adopted by the County Executive for Fiscal Year 2020 and to all subsequent expense budgets adopted pursuant to § C4-10 of the Suffolk County Charter or any successor law.

Section 6. Effective Date.

This law shall not take effect until at least 60 days after its adoption, nor until approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified electors of the County of Suffolk voting on a proposition for its approval if within 60 days after its adoption there is filed with the Clerk of the County Legislature a petition protesting against this law in conformity with the provisions of § 34(4) of the New York Municipal Home Rule Law and upon filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ AA-149 Local Law No. 33-2019 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk continues to work proactively to protect the environment and preserve the quality of the County's sole source aquifer and surface waters.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County is currently at a critical juncture, with nitrogen pollution posing a significant risk to both surface and groundwater.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the County recently introduced a number of new water quality protection programs: authorizing the use of innovative alternative wastewater treatment systems; assisting some homeowners in funding the installation of such systems, and allowing homeowners the opportunity to enter a lottery to test new technologies at little or no cost.

This Legislature further finds that more must be done to protect the sole source aquifer Long Island relies on for its drinking water and the surface waters that are vital to our quality of life and our local economy.

This Legislature finds that, each year, the County of Suffolk auctions dozens of properties that were taken for delinquent taxes.

This Legislature determines that many of these properties are located in areas that are not serviced by sewer districts and which rely predominantly on cesspools for wastewater disposal.

This Legislature also finds that at a time of auction, the County is able to place conditions on the parcels sold at auction. Presently, there is an owner occupancy restriction for properties sold at auction.

This Legislature also determines that Suffolk County should require persons acquiring properties at County auction to install innovative sanitary systems at the premises.

This Legislature further finds that requiring the installation of innovative sanitary systems on parcels auctioned by the County will reduce the nitrogen load on local waters and add value to these properties as they reenter the tax rolls.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Section A40-4 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to require purchasers of parcels auctioned by the County to install innovative sanitary systems as a condition of purchase.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all parcels offered at auction on or after the effective date of this law.

Section 6. Effective Date.

This law shall take effect January 1, 2020.

§ AA-150 Local Law No. 34-2019 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Local Law No. 11-2019 was enacted for the environmental protection of the Shirley-Mastic community and Suffolk County as a whole.

This Legislature also finds and determines that a specific parcel of land, Suffolk County Tax Map Number 0200-984.60-10.00-002.000, will be more beneficial to the community if utilized for recreational and educational purposes.

This Legislature further finds and determines that allowing for limited recreational and educational development of this parcel will provide residents with access to waterfront property and enrich the surrounding community.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Chapter 40 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to exempt the parcel consisting of Suffolk County Tax Map Number 0200-984.60-10.00-002.000 from open spaces protection in the Mastic-Shirley conservation district.

Section 3. Transfers to Town or Village.

Nothing in this law shall prohibit the County from transferring a parcel retained pursuant to this law to a town or village for open space preservation purposes.

§ AA-151 Local Law No. 23-2020 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

The Legislature hereby finds and determines that under the present organization of the Suffolk County government, the Department of Public Works acts as the central purchasing operation for a majority of the purchasing transactions for the departments in Suffolk County government, including the Department of Public Works itself, while other procurement functions are scattered throughout various County departments, all with little oversight as to how those procurements are conducted, resulting in inefficiencies and inconsistencies in County procurement practices.

This Legislature also finds that Chapter 1065 of the Suffolk County Code was recently amended to update and improve the County's procurement policy.

This Legislature further finds that, during the process of updating the County's procurement policies it was recognized that the administration of procurement functions has been fragmented among the various departments and that a consolidation of the oversight of all County procurements would more properly rest with an office separate and distinct from the Department of Public Works.

This Legislature also finds that a separate and distinct office specifically tasked with the oversight of all County procurements would facilitate the development and incorporation of management reforms, accountability and best practices for all County procurements while also providing economies of scale, maximizing the County's bargaining power, ensuring purchasing controls, and eliminating redundancies.

This Legislature further finds and determines that elected County officials have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars are prudently and economically spent In the procurement of goods and services so as to avoid favoritism, improvidence, extravagance, fraud, and corruption and to ensure that public moneys are used in the best interest of County taxpayers.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to establish an Office of Central Procurement, within the Office of the County Executive, to be administered by a Chief Procurement Officer, which Office will be tasked with oversight of all County procurement practices including but not limited to:

• reducing/eliminating unnecessary spending by departments;

• managing risk of spending outside contract parameters;

• managing purchases to generate volume discounts;

• overseeing and reviewing warehouse/stock levels;

• pursuing creative procurement opportunities, cooperative purchasing options and strategic sourcing;

• implementing Countywide procurement procedures in accordance with State Law;

• establishing training programs for department employees participating in procurement activities;

• facilitating shared services and shared purchase opportunities; and

• developing and maintaining technology and data to assist and enhance procurement practices

Section 4. Transition Provisions.

A.) Any reference to the Division of Purchasing in the County Department of Public Works, or Central Purchasing, or its Director in any other resolution, local law. Charter law, ordinance, rule, or regulation of the County of Suffolk or in any state or federal law, rule, or regulation, shall be construed in the first instance as reference to the County Office of Central Procurement, anything in any other laws or regulations to the contrary notwithstanding.

B.) Any pertinent positions of employment within the County Department of Public Works, Division of Purchasing shall be abolished and/or transferred, as the case may be, via appropriate resolution, to the new Office of Central Procurement. Any positions of employment transferred via prior or subsequent appropriate resolution shall be transferred so as to retain the incumbent individual in said position of employment as the individual so employed in that position by the County Office of Central Procurement.

C.) Any reference to the County Division of Purchasing in the Department of Public Works, also referred to as Central Purchasing, in any chapter of the Suffolk County Code shall be construed as reference to the County Office of Central Procurement and any references in said Code to the Director of said Division shall be construed to mean the Director of the County Office of Central Procurement, as the case may be.

D.) All County departments shall cooperate fully with the Chief Procurement Officer, or his or her designee, in all phases of implementing the provisions of this law.

Section 5. Transfer of Personnel.

The functions and responsibilities set forth herein shall be carried out by existing personnel subject to the following: those employees in the Suffolk County Department of Public Works who are currently employed in positions in the Division of Purchasing and/or whose duties are primarily involved in the administration of the procurement policies, shall be transferred to the Office of Central Procurement subject to the provisions of the New York Civil Service Law and the Rules of the County Department of Human Resources, Personnel, and Civil Service.

Section 6. Transfer of Records, Property and Equipment.

All records, property and equipment presently associated with and utilized in connection with the powers, functions and duties to be assigned under this law shall be transferred to the pertinent department and division in a timely fashion.

Section 7. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all procurement actions taken by the County on or after the effective date of this resolution.

§ AA-152 Local Law No. 27-2020 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that reports which come to the Child Protective Services Unit (CPS) within the Department of Social Services (DSS) sometimes involve children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and children with other developmental disabilities.

This Legislature further finds and determines that communicating effectively with and fully understanding the behavior of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and children with other developmental disabilities requires specific expertise which the typical CPS caseworker may not possess.

This Legislature further finds and determines that in order to ensure children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and children with other developmental disabilities who are the subject of reports to CPS are protected as well as possible, there must be a team of caseworkers within CPS specially trained on the unique attributes and behaviors of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or developmental disabilities which can be pivotal in the course of a CPS investigation.

This Legislature further finds and determines that CPS cases can require sophisticated investigative work for which all CPS caseworkers should be properly trained, above and beyond the New York State required basic child welfare training.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the importance of building awareness around bias is heightened for CPS caseworkers as caseworkers are regularly called on to rely on their discretionary judgment as part of the execution of their professional duties.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to mandate that all CPS cases which involve children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other developmental disabilities be handled by specially trained CPS caseworkers and to require all CPS caseworkers to complete certain investigative training and implicit bias training above state-mandated basic training.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all CPS caseworkers, CPS caseworker supervisors, and caseworkers in the CPS Special Needs, on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-153 Local Law No. 28-2020 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that reports of suspected child abuse, neglect and/or maltreatment which come to the Child Protective Services unit (CPS) within the Department of Social Services (DSS) sometimes involve children on the autism spectrum and children with other developmental disabilities.

This Legislature further finds and determines that communicating effectively with and fully understanding the behavior of children on the autism spectrum and children with other developmental disabilities requires specific expertise which the typical CPS caseworker may not possess.

This Legislature further finds and determines that in order to ensure children on the autism spectrum and children with other developmental disabilities who are the subject of reports to CPS are protected as well as possible, all reports which involve such children must be assigned to a specialized team which has been specifically trained to handle such cases, and when statutory caseload limits prohibit such assignment, these cases must be automatically reviewed by a senior supervisor within CPS.

This Legislature further finds and determines that when CPS reports are received from multiple sources they should be escalated to a review by a senior supervisor.

This Legislature further finds and determines that CPS has added a new designation for reports, "Unfounded Due to Insufficient Evidence," to reflect the reality of why many reports are concluded. Accordingly, when CPS receives a report of a new incident on a case following a previous report which was determined to be "Unfounded Due to Insufficient Evidence," such reports will trigger an automatic review by a senior supervisor within CPS.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to institute increased scrutiny for CPS cases involving children on the autism spectrum or with other developmental disabilities and to set escalation processes for certain reports within DSS.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all reports received by Child Protective Services on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-154 Local Law No. 29-2020 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that as New York State mandated reporters, school officials must notify the State Central Registry (SCR) if they suspect child abuse, neglect and/or maltreatment and must complete State-provided mandated reporter training.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the current mandated reporter training provided by New York State is widely considered to be insufficient and ineffective by those in the field and must be reviewed and overhauled in order to properly equip school officials and all mandated reporters to convey suspected child abuse, neglect and/or maltreatment with efficacy.

This Legislature further finds and determines that there are certain school officials, including but not limited to school psychologists, school social workers and registered professional nurses, whose education and/or training makes them specially qualified to suspect abnormalities in a child's behavior, needs and/or physical condition particularly effectively.

This Legislature further finds and determines that when multiple Child Protective Services reports are received from certain school officials they should be escalated to a review by a casework supervisor.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to institute increased scrutiny for CPS reports received from certain school officials.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all reports received from school officials by Child Protective Services on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-155 Local Law No. 30-2020 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the use of off-the-shelf electronic surveillance equipment such as Nest, Blink, and Wyze has increased significantly in recent years.

This Legislature further finds and determines that Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworkers conduct interviews with children who are the subject of reports alleging possible child abuse, neglect and/or maltreatment in the children's homes, ideally without the parent or guardian who is accused of the abuse and/or maltreatment present so the caseworker can ascertain information candidly from the child who might otherwise fear retribution from their alleged abuser.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the secret use of electronic surveillance equipment during CPS interviews with children can undermine the caseworker's ability to gain honest answers from children, especially if the child knows he or she is being filmed and therefore watched by the parent or guardian who is accused of the abuse and/or maltreatment, while the CPS caseworker does not know the interview is being filmed.

This Legislature further finds and determines that CPS caseworkers should require owners or tenants at whose residences CPS interviews are being conducted to attest to the use of electronic surveillance equipment prior to the initiation of any such interview.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to require notice of the use of electronic surveillance in relation to certain Department of Social Services investigations.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-156 Local Law No. 31-2020 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the New York State Office of Children and Family Services recommends that a caseworker handling child welfare cases handle no more than 12 active cases per month, and defines a "high caseload" to be 15 or more cases.

This Legislature further finds and determines that it is in the best interest of the children and families served by the Suffolk County Department of Social Services if it adheres to the New York State recommendations for Suffolk County Caseworkers handling child welfare cases.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to establish caseload standards for Suffolk County caseworkers handling child welfare cases and to establish a process by which additional personnel are hired to maintain compliance with the established standards.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-157 Local Law No. 39-2020 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the Suffolk County Legislature was established 50 years ago to establish policies which protect the health, safety and welfare of its now 1.5 million residents.

This Legislature also finds and determines that over the last 50 years, dozens of legislators have left the Legislature based on the choices made by voters on Election Day and with the advent of term limits.

This Legislature determines that in 2018, the Legislature added specific requirements for transitioning legislators into its Rules, which govern the actions of the Legislature and its members, to address these problems.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Article II of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to provide specific requirements for the transition of power between legislators.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-158 Local Law No. 46-2020 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Article 12-B of the New York General Municipal Law requires local municipalities to refer certain zoning, subdivision and planning related actions to the Suffolk County Planning Commission.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the County of Suffolk, in accordance with state law, has adopted local laws requiring towns and villages to refer certain zoning, subdivision and planning matters to the Planning Commission. These laws are codified in Article 14 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code.

This Legislature further finds and determines that pursuant to Suffolk County Administrative Code Section A14-26 and Local Law No. 30-1991, zoning and subdivision actions referred to the Planning Commission pursuant to Article XIV are subject to fees in accordance with the fee schedule set forth in § A14-26.

This Legislature finds that Section A14-26 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code does not set forth a time for payment of the required fees.

This Legislature further finds that some applicants fail to pay the referral fee, which causes the Department of Economic Development and Planning (hereinafter the "Department") to invoice the applicant multiple times and often results in non-payment of the requisite fees.

This Legislature further finds that a determination of the local municipal application referral cannot be made without County Planning staff examining the referred application.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Section A14-26 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to provide a time for payment of the Suffolk County Planning Commission referral fees required by Section A14-26 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-159 Local Law No. 53-2020 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the New York State Comptroller released a 2020 Ethics Oversight Report ("Report") which identified opportunities for Suffolk County to enhance its ethics oversight.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the Report recommends that the County require all employees receive and attest to receipt of a copy of the Code of Ethics upon commencing their employment with the County and at least once every five (5) years thereafter.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Article XXX of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to require that all County employees receive and attest to the receipt of the Code of Ethics upon commencement of their employment and every five (5) years thereafter.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all County employees hired or serving on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-160 Local Law No. 11-2021 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Suffolk County receives requests from companies, organizations, and private individuals to donate items or funds to specific County departments.

This Legislature also finds and determines that when gifts are provided to the County, the Legislature should be assured that such gifts are given freely without any expectation of benefit from the County.

This Legislature further determines that to prevent even the appearance of impropriety and ensure compliance with ethics laws, the acceptance of gifts and donations should be made more transparent.

This Legislature finds that to improve the process for accepting gifts and donations to the County, the Office of Central Procurement should develop a form which the donor of a gift must complete to ensure the gift is free of any improprieties.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Article III of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to require the donor of a gift to the County to complete a form, which will be filed with the Clerk of the Legislature, to ensure that the gift is being provided freely and appropriately.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all gifts or donations received by Suffolk County on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-161 Local Law No. 22-2022 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature finds and determines that with the adoption of Local Law No. 19-2019, Section A18-3G of the Suffolk County Code was amended to reduce the fee for instruments presented for recording or filing with the Suffolk County Clerk from $300 to $200.

This Legislature hereby further finds and determines that based on the language in the aforementioned amendment, there is confusion as whether the aforementioned fee reduction was intended to be temporary or permanent.

This Legislature hereby further finds and determines that the fee reduction from $300 to $200 for instruments presented for recording or filing with the Suffolk County Clerk should be permanent. Therefore, the purpose of this law is to ensure that the reduction in fees from $300 to $200 for the instruments presented for recording or filing with the Suffolk County Clerk contained in Local Law 19-2019 is permanent.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all instruments presented for recording or filing occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-162 Local Law No. 24-2022 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Section 104 of the New York Open Meetings Law requires that meetings scheduled less than one week prior thereto, only requires that notice be given or electronically transmitted to the news media to the extent practicable and shall be conspicuously posted in one or more public locations.

This Legislature also finds and determines that Special Meetings of the Legislature may be held on two days' notice pursuant to § A2-6(B) of the Suffolk County Administrative Code.

This Legislature further finds and determines that § C2-7 of the Suffolk County Charter requires the Legislature to adopt in writing Rules of the County Legislature's Proceedings.

This Legislature finds that the Suffolk County Administrative Code does not contain any requirements for notification of Special Meetings to the general public or the news media.

This Legislature determines that the requirements of the Open Meetings Law are insufficient to ensure government transparency and public participation in County government.

This Legislature also finds that because of advances in technology many newspapers maintain a digital presence that would allow them to notify the public of a Special Meeting of the Legislature even when there would an insufficient amount of time to post a notice in a traditional print edition of a newspaper.

This Legislature also determines that in addition to traditional newspapers, media outlets include television stations, radio stations, and online newspapers and magazines.

This Legislature further finds that in order to ensure the greatest level of public participation and government transparency is achieved, that in addition to the traditional official newspapers, that the aforementioned other media outlets should be given notice of Special Meetings of Legislature, and the best way to identify these other media outlets is for the Legislature to maintain a current and accurate list of local media outlets to be notified of Special Meetings of the Legislature as part of its Rules that are required by § C2-7 of the Suffolk County Charter.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to require that the Clerk of the Legislature give at least 24 hours' notice of a Special Meeting of the Legislature to the official newspapers and other media outlets when a meeting is called on two days' notice and to provide notice to the greatest extent practical when a Special Meeting is held on less than two days' notice.

It is also of the purpose of this local law to require the Legislature to maintain, as part of its Rules required by § C2-7 of the Suffolk County Charter, a list of media outlets to be given notice of a Special Meeting of the Legislature.

§ AA-163 Local Law No. 29-2022 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk works to protect the safety and welfare of all County residents.

This Legislature further finds and determines that Suffolk County contracts and conducts business with numerous contractors and vendors for the benefit of many County residents and visitors.

This Legislature also determines that cybersecurity is important because it protects all categories of data from theft and damage which includes but is not limited to sensitive data, personally identifiable information, protected health information, personal information, intellectual property, data, and governmental and industry information systems.

This Legislature determines that it is critically important to find out immediately when any breach occurs that may affect County personnel.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to require the contractor, vendor, or their representative(s) to notify the Legislature and the Department of Information Technology without delay that personal information has been compromised so they can take steps to reduce the chance that their information will be misused and immediately implement technical and organizational protection measures in place along with other directives to ensure that the risk is no longer likely to materialize.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all contractors and vendors and to all contracts occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-164 Local Law No. 30-2022 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature finds and determines that Governor Hochul recently signed Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2022, which added Section 103-a of the Open Meetings Law and expanded the use of videoconferencing by public bodies to conduct open meetings under extraordinary circumstances.

This Legislature also finds and determines that Section 103-a(2)(a) of the Open Meetings Law permits members of the County Legislature and members of the public bodies of the County to attend meetings by videoconferencing under extraordinary circumstances, thus expanding the ability of public bodies to meet using remote access technology.

This Legislature further determines that Section 103-a(2)(a) of the Open Meetings Law requires the County to adopt a local law following a public hearing authorizing the limited use of videoconferencing under extraordinary circumstances.

This Legislature further finds that Section 103-a(2)(b) of the Open Meetings Law requires that procedures governing member and public attendance in compliance with Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2022 be established.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to allow for the expanded use of videoconferencing to conduct open public meetings under extraordinary circumstances and to authorize the County Legislature and the County's public bodies to hold meetings using videoconferencing technology in a manner consistent with Section 103-a of the Open Meetings Law.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

Section 7. Expiration Date.

This law shall remain in effect as set forth in Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2022, as may be amended from time to time.

§ AA-165 Local Law No. 4-2023 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk administers a number of affordable housing programs to aid in the development of rental and owner-occupied affordable housing units for the benefit of County residents.

This Legislature also finds and determines that Article XXXVI of the Suffolk County Administrative Code details the requirements developers and nonprofit organizations must satisfy in order to obtain County assistance for affordable housing developments.

This Legislature further finds and determines that projects that receive a certain level of funding from the County should be required to make all units affordable in perpetuity.

This Legislature further finds and determines that it is in the best interest of the County to require that projects receiving funding assistance from the County are required to maintain the affordability of units for the greatest possible length of time.

This Legislature further finds and determines that in order to ensure the quality of life of residents in projects receiving County assistance, that projects of a certain size should be required to have a manager or superintendent residing onsite.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Article XXXVI of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to ensure that all affordable units with the assistance of the County should remain affordable to the greatest extent possible while also ensuring that the quality of life of residents of these projects is preserved.

§ AA-166 Local Law No. 6-2023 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that that the County of Suffolk is linguistically diverse, and that in 2018, 20% of its residents, aged 5 and older, spoke a language other than English at home and 10% had limited English proficiency.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the County of Suffolk has several programs wherein the County subsidizes the development of affordable housing.

This Legislature further finds and determines that language can be a substantial barrier for residents, including English Language Learners (ELLs), seeking affordable housing.

This Legislature finds that in 2018 the County of Suffolk adopted Local Law 16-2018 that required all County agencies that provide direct public services shall develop a language access plan language assistance for the public in seeking government services.

This Legislature determines that those affordable housing developments that receive County assistance should be required to develop a language access plan to promote equal access to affordable housing for all members of the public that are eligible for affordable housing.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to require that any developer of any rental units to be built with the assistance of the County of Suffolk work with a third party or parties to implement a language access plan, subject to approval by the Community Development Director, to be located on the Suffolk County and/or Housing Assistance Agency website, in order to ensure equal access to affordable housing for all members of the public that are eligible for affordable housing. Such a plan, at a minimum shall include:

1. Website translation;

2. Advertisement of housing opportunities;

3. Housing application translation; and

4. Providing of interpreter services.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to any project that has not received final approval from the County of Suffolk prior to the effective date of this law.

§ AA-167 Local Law No. 7-2023 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk administers a number of affordable housing programs to aid in the development of rental and owner-occupied affordable housing units for the benefit of County residents.

This Legislature also finds and determines that Article XXXVI of the Suffolk County Administrative Code details the requirements developers and nonprofit organizations must satisfy in order to obtain County assistance for affordable housing developments.

This Legislature finds that Suffolk County has the largest veterans' population in New York State.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Article XXXVI of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to require that all affordable housing units developed with the assistance of the County have set asides for veterans.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all applications received after January 1, 2023.

§ AA-168 Local Law No. 8-2023 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk administers a number of affordable housing programs to aid in the development of rental and owner-occupied affordable housing units for the benefit of County residents.

This Legislature also finds and determines that Article XXXVI of the Suffolk County Administrative Code details the requirements developers and nonprofit organizations must satisfy in order to obtain County assistance for affordable housing developments.

This Legislature further finds and determines that there are more than 14,000 individuals on Long Island with disabilities and the majority of them are living at home with aging caregivers.

This Legislature determines that properties that receive County investment as part of an affordable housing program should provide set asides for individuals with disabilities.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Article XXXVI of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to require that all affordable housing units developed with the assistance of the County have set asides for individuals with disabilities.

Section 3.

This law shall apply to all applications received after January 1, 2023.

§ AA-169 Local Law No. 33-2023 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Article XL of the Suffolk County Administrative Code, County Real Property, regulates and implements a process by which the County disposes of property acquired through the Suffolk County Tax Act, which is typically through the sale of property at a public auction.

This Legislature further finds that in some cases, the price the County receives at auction exceeds the amount the prior owner owed in unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest. This Legislature determines that Local Law 33-2004 sought to eliminate the gross unfairness that occurs when a residential owner-occupied property is sold by the County for a large sum with small sums being due for unpaid taxes by establishing a process that allows residential homeowners who have lost their property through tax default to apply for surplus monies realized by the County when the property is auctioned.

This Legislature further determines that Local Law 7-2018 established a requirement that the Department of Economic Development and Planning make reasonable efforts to notify prior owners of tax default properties of their ability to apply for a distribution from the proceeds of an auction sale.

This Legislature now finds that certain administrative processes delineated under Article XL concerning the County's disposition of property and distribution from the proceeds of an auction sale must be updated to comply with the Supreme Court of the United States' decision in Tyler v. Hennepin decided on May 25, 2023.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to modify Article XL of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to modify the provisions of the Administrative Code concerning distribution of proceeds from auction sales in order to comply with current case law.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ AA-170 Local Law No. 39-2023 also provided as follows.

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Local Law No. 29-2022 provided that any contractor or vendor that contracts with the County shall immediately notify the County Executive, the Clerk of the County Legislature and the Department of Audit and Control of any cyber security breach, event or attack.

This Legislature also finds that Local Law No. 29-2022 was adopted before the County hired a Chief Information Security Officer ("CISO") who leads the Office of the Chief Information Security Officer within the Department of Information Technology and who has overall responsibility for the County's information security program that includes personnel, technologies, governance, policies and procedures that protect the County's systems and data.

This Legislature further finds that it would improve the notification process of cybersecurity breaches experienced by County vendors or contractors if a contractor or vendor has to notify the CISO and the respective contracting County department(s) within the County of any cyber breach, event or attack, and then the CISO report such notification to the County Executive, the Clerk of the County Legislature, the County Comptroller, and the Commissioner of the Department of information Technology.

The Legislature further determines that having the CISO provide the notifications to the County Executive, the Clerk of the County Legislature, the County Comptroller, and the Commissioner of the Department of Information Technology would allow the CISO to also provide further information to those entities about the implications to the County of the cybersecurity breaches experienced by the vendor or contractor.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to change the notification process of cybersecurity breaches experienced by County contractors and vendors.

Section 3. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of the law.