S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  6454

                       2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                              April 1, 2013
                               ___________

Introduced  by  M.  of  A.  STEVENSON,  GIBSON, ROSENTHAL, CRESPO, RAIA,
  CASTRO, WEPRIN, PERRY -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ARROYO, AUBRY,
  COOK, MALLIOTAKIS, SCARBOROUGH, SCHIMEL -- read once and  referred  to
  the Committee on Governmental Operations

AN ACT in relation to establishing the New York Muslim American Advisory
  Council

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. The Muslim American Advisory Council. The  New  York  State
Muslim  American  Advisory Council is hereby established. It will advise
the legislature on ways to advance the role and civic  participation  of
Muslim Americans in New York. Additionally, the Muslim American Advisory
Council (hereinafter referred to as the "Council") shall recommend stra-
tegies  to better integrate Muslims in New York socially, educationally,
culturally and economically. The Council shall facilitate  relationship-
building  in  the  Muslim community to achieve goals related to interna-
tional commerce in Muslim countries/communities, and  identify  ways  to
more  effectively  disseminate information and outreach to Muslim Ameri-
cans regarding state programs and services. The Council shall advise the
legislature on appropriate policy developments, official directives, and
other issues of significance impacting New York's Muslims. It will bring
important faith-based issues based on factual findings to  the  legisla-
ture's  attention  and  make recommendations to address those issues. It
will also strengthen communication between the state and Muslim  leader-
ship and the general community.
  S 2. The Council shall consist of ten members, as follows:
  a.  five  members  shall  be representatives of community-based/faith-
based organizations that advise or assist Muslim American communities.
  b. one member shall be appointed by the  temporary  president  of  the
senate.
  c. one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD02715-01-3
              

A. 6454                             2

  d. one member shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly.
  e.  one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the assem-
bly.
  f. one remaining member shall be appointed by the governor.
  S 3. Each member of the Council shall serve for a term of  four  years
or  until his or her successor is appointed.  A member appointed to fill
a vacancy shall serve the remainder of the term of the member he or  she
is appointed to succeed.
  S  4.  The  members  of  the Council shall receive no compensation for
their services but shall be reimbursed for their expenses  actually  and
necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties hereunder.
  S  5.  The Council shall select a chair and a secretary from among the
members.
  S 6. The Council shall meet as frequently as necessary, but  not  less
than  four times per year. Such meetings shall be held at such locations
as the Council may determine. All such meetings shall be subject to  the
open meetings law.
  S  7.  Each  member  of  the Council shall be entitled to designate in
writing a representative to attend meetings in his or her place  and  to
vote or otherwise act on his or her behalf in his or her absence.
  S  8. The Council will present strategies to the legislature to better
integrate Muslims in New York socially,  educationally,  culturally  and
economically  in  writing  in the form of an annual report approximately
sixteen months from the establishment of the Council and annually there-
after.
  S 9. The report shall consist of factual findings, progress  analyses,
and  recommendations  regarding the implementation of state programs and
services as it affects Muslim Americans.
  S 10. This act shall take effect immediately.