Bill Text: NY A09150 | 2011-2012 | General Assembly | Amended
Bill Title: Relates to the functioning of the port authority as an open, transparent and accountable interstate public authority.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 45-2)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2012-06-18 - REFERRED TO RULES [A09150 Detail]
Download: New_York-2011-A09150-Amended.html
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K ________________________________________________________________________ 9150--A I N A S S E M B L Y January 30, 2012 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. BRENNAN, CUSICK, TITONE, COOK, KELLNER, MILLMAN, ROSENTHAL, MALLIOTAKIS, TOBACCO, ROBINSON, KAVANAGH, ABINANTI, WEPRIN -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ABBATE, ARROYO, BENEDETTO, BOYLAND, BRONSON, CASTRO, COLTON, CRESPO, GALEF, GLICK, GOLDFEDER, GOTTFRIED, GUNTHER, JAFFEE, MAGNARELLI, MAISEL, MENG, MOYA, ORTIZ, PAULIN, REIL- LY, P. RIVERA, ROBERTS, RYAN, SCARBOROUGH, SCHIMEL, SIMOTAS, SWEENEY, TITUS, WEISENBERG, ZEBROWSKI -- read once and referred to the Commit- tee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee AN ACT to amend chapter 154 of the laws of 1921, relating to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in relation to the functioning of the port authority as an open, transparent and accountable inter- state public authority THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM- BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: 1 Section 1. Legislative findings. The legislature finds and declares 2 that: 3 In 2005 and 2009, the state of New York enacted comprehensive legis- 4 lation to improve the practices of, and increase oversight over, the 5 state's public authorities. As entities that are mostly publicly funded 6 and are created to provide an important public service or good, it was 7 important to increase and enhance the accountability and transparency of 8 the public authorities. 9 The public authority of New York and New Jersey is a multi-billion 10 dollar company that performs and provides vital transportation and 11 infrastructure functions and services in the state of New York. Since 12 the state of New York has jurisdiction over the port authority, the 13 legislature believes that the port authority should abide by and be 14 subject to the same laws as are currently imposed on all other New York 15 state public authorities. 16 It is in the best interest of the public that the states of New York 17 and New Jersey enact substantially identical legislation to ensure that EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD13921-05-2 A. 9150--A 2 1 the port authority functions as an open, transparent and accountable 2 interstate public authority. 3 S 2. Article IV of section 1 of chapter 154 of the laws of 1921, 4 relating to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, as amended by 5 chapter 419 of the laws of 1930, is amended to read as follows: 6 ARTICLE IV 7 S 1. COMMISSIONERS. The port authority shall consist of twelve commis- 8 sioners, six resident voters from the state of New York, at least four 9 of whom shall be resident voters of the city of New York, and six resi- 10 dent voters from the state of New Jersey, at least four of whom shall be 11 resident voters within the New Jersey portion of the district[, the New 12 York members to be chosen by the state of New York and the New Jersey 13 members by the state of New Jersey in the manner and for the terms fixed 14 and determined from time to time by the legislature of each state 15 respectively, except as herein provided]. THE GOVERNOR OF EACH STATE 16 SHALL APPOINT THE MEMBERS FROM HIS OR HER STATE, BY AND WITH THE ADVICE 17 AND CONSENT OF THE STATE SENATE THEREOF. COMMISSIONERS SHALL SERVE FOR 18 OVERLAPPING SIX-YEAR TERMS, WITHOUT SALARY OR OTHER COMPENSATION, BUT 19 SHALL BE REIMBURSED FOR ALL ACTUAL AND NECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED IN 20 THE DISCHARGE OF THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES. Each commissioner may be removed 21 or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state from which 22 he shall be appointed. 23 S 2. ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMMISSIONERS. A. COMMISSIONERS 24 SHALL (1) EXECUTE DIRECT OVERSIGHT OF THE AUTHORITY'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE 25 AND OTHER MANAGEMENT IN THE EFFECTIVE AND ETHICAL MANAGEMENT OF THE 26 AUTHORITY; (2) UNDERSTAND, REVIEW AND MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 27 FUNDAMENTAL FINANCIAL AND MANAGEMENT CONTROLS AND OPERATIONAL DECISIONS 28 OF THE AUTHORITY; (3) ESTABLISH POLICIES REGARDING THE PAYMENT OF SALA- 29 RY, COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENTS TO, AND ESTABLISH RULES FOR THE TIME 30 AND ATTENDANCE OF, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND MANAGEMENT; (4) ADOPT A CODE 31 OF ETHICS APPLICABLE TO EACH OFFICER, DIRECTOR AND EMPLOYEE THAT, AT A 32 MINIMUM, INCLUDES THE APPLICABLE STANDARDS ESTABLISHED IN THE ETHICS LAW 33 OF BOTH STATES; (5) ESTABLISH WRITTEN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ON PERSON- 34 NEL INCLUDING POLICIES PROTECTING EMPLOYEES FROM RETALIATION FOR 35 DISCLOSING INFORMATION CONCERNING ACTS OF WRONGDOING, MISCONDUCT, 36 MALFEASANCE, OR OTHER INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR BY AN EMPLOYEE OR BOARD 37 MEMBER OF THE AUTHORITY, INVESTMENTS, TRAVEL, THE ACQUISITION OF REAL 38 PROPERTY AND THE DISPOSITION OF REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY AND THE 39 PROCUREMENT OF GOODS AND SERVICES; (6) ADOPT A DEFENSE AND INDEMNIFICA- 40 TION POLICY AND DISCLOSE SUCH PLAN TO ANY AND ALL PROSPECTIVE BOARD 41 MEMBERS; (7) PERFORM EACH OF THEIR DUTIES AS BOARD MEMBERS, INCLUDING 42 BUT NOT LIMITED TO THOSE IMPOSED BY THIS SECTION, IN GOOD FAITH AND WITH 43 THAT DEGREE OF DILIGENCE, CARE AND SKILL WHICH AN ORDINARILY PRUDENT 44 PERSON IN LIKE POSITION WOULD USE UNDER SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES, AND MAY 45 TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE VIEWS AND POLICIES OF ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL 46 OR BODY, OR OTHER PERSON AND ULTIMATELY APPLY INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT IN 47 THE BEST INTEREST OF THE AUTHORITY, ITS MISSION AND THE PUBLIC; (8) AT 48 THE TIME THAT EACH MEMBER TAKES AND SUBSCRIBES HIS OR HER OATH OF 49 OFFICE, OR WITHIN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS PARAGRAPH 50 IF THE MEMBER HAS ALREADY TAKEN AND SUBSCRIBED HIS OR HER OATH OF 51 OFFICE, EXECUTE AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT, IN A FORM CONSISTENT WITH THE ONE 52 PRESCRIBED BY THE NEW YORK INDEPENDENT AUTHORITIES BUDGET OFFICE ESTAB- 53 LISHED PURSUANT TO TITLE TWO OF ARTICLE ONE OF THE PUBLIC AUTHORITIES 54 LAW IN WHICH THE BOARD MEMBER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE OR SHE UNDERSTANDS 55 HIS OR HER ROLE, AND FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITIES AS SET FORTH IN PARA- 56 GRAPH SEVEN OF THIS SUBDIVISION, AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE OR SHE UNDER- A. 9150--A 3 1 STANDS HIS OR HER DUTY OF LOYALTY AND CARE TO THE ORGANIZATION AND 2 COMMITMENT TO THE AUTHORITY'S MISSION AND THE PUBLIC INTEREST. 3 B. INDIVIDUALS APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SHALL PARTIC- 4 IPATE IN TRAINING APPROVED BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL REGARDING THEIR 5 LEGAL, FIDUCIARY, FINANCIAL AND ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES AS DIRECTORS OF 6 AN AUTHORITY WITHIN ONE YEAR OF APPOINTMENT TO A BOARD. BOARD MEMBERS 7 SHALL PARTICIPATE IN SUCH CONTINUING TRAINING AS MAY BE REQUIRED TO 8 REMAIN INFORMED OF BEST PRACTICES, REGULATORY AND STATUTORY CHANGES 9 RELATING TO THE EFFECTIVE OVERSIGHT OF THE MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL 10 ACTIVITIES OF PUBLIC AUTHORITIES AND TO ADHERE TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS 11 OF RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE. 12 C. NO BOARD MEMBER, INCLUDING THE CHAIRPERSON, SHALL SERVE AS THE PORT 13 AUTHORITY'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHIEF FINANCIAL 14 OFFICER, COMPTROLLER, OR HOLD ANY OTHER EQUIVALENT POSITION WHILE SERV- 15 ING AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD. 16 D. THE COMMISSIONERS SHALL ESTABLISH AN AUDIT COMMITTEE TO BE 17 COMPRISED OF NOT LESS THAN THREE INDEPENDENT MEMBERS, WHO SHALL CONSTI- 18 TUTE A MAJORITY ON THE COMMITTEE, AND WHO SHALL POSSESS THE NECESSARY 19 SKILLS TO UNDERSTAND THE DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE; 20 PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN THE EVENT THAT A BOARD HAS LESS THAN THREE 21 INDEPENDENT MEMBERS, THE BOARD MAY APPOINT NON-INDEPENDENT MEMBERS TO 22 THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, PROVIDED THAT THE INDEPENDENT MEMBERS MUST CONSTI- 23 TUTE A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. MEMBERS OF THE 24 AUDIT COMMITTEE SHALL BE FAMILIAR WITH CORPORATE FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNT- 25 ING PRACTICES. THE COMMITTEE SHALL RECOMMEND TO THE BOARD THE HIRING OF 26 A CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR SUCH AUTHORITY, ESTABLISH 27 THE COMPENSATION TO BE PAID TO THE ACCOUNTING FIRM AND PROVIDE DIRECT 28 OVERSIGHT OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDIT PERFORMED BY THE 29 ACCOUNTING FIRM HIRED FOR SUCH PURPOSES. 30 E. THE COMMISSIONERS SHALL ESTABLISH A GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE TO BE 31 COMPRISED OF NOT LESS THAN THREE INDEPENDENT MEMBERS, WHO SHALL CONSTI- 32 TUTE A MAJORITY ON THE COMMITTEE, AND WHO SHALL POSSESS THE NECESSARY 33 SKILLS TO UNDERSTAND THE DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMIT- 34 TEE; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN THE EVENT THAT A BOARD HAS LESS THAN 35 THREE INDEPENDENT MEMBERS, THE BOARD MAY APPOINT NON-INDEPENDENT MEMBERS 36 TO THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE, PROVIDED THAT THE INDEPENDENT MEMBERS MUST 37 CONSTITUTE A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE. IT 38 SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE 39 TO KEEP THE BOARD INFORMED OF CURRENT BEST GOVERNANCE PRACTICES; TO 40 REVIEW CORPORATE GOVERNANCE TRENDS; TO RECOMMEND UPDATES TO THE AUTHORI- 41 TY'S CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES; TO ADVISE APPOINTING AUTHORITIES 42 ON THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES REQUIRED OF POTENTIAL BOARD MEMBERS; TO 43 EXAMINE ETHICAL AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST ISSUES; TO PERFORM BOARD SELF- 44 EVALUATIONS; AND TO RECOMMEND BY-LAWS WHICH INCLUDE RULES AND PROCEDURES 45 FOR CONDUCT OF BOARD BUSINESS. 46 F. THE COMMISSIONERS SHALL ESTABLISH A FINANCE COMMITTEE TO BE 47 COMPRISED OF NOT LESS THAN THREE INDEPENDENT MEMBERS, WHO SHALL CONSTI- 48 TUTE A MAJORITY ON THE COMMITTEE, AND WHO SHALL POSSESS THE NECESSARY 49 SKILLS TO UNDERSTAND THE DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE; 50 PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN THE EVENT THAT A BOARD HAS LESS THAN THREE 51 INDEPENDENT MEMBERS, THE BOARD MAY APPOINT NON-INDEPENDENT MEMBERS TO 52 THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, PROVIDED THAT THE INDEPENDENT MEMBERS MUST 53 CONSTITUTE A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. IT SHALL 54 BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW 55 PROPOSALS FOR THE ISSUANCE OF DEBT BY THE AUTHORITY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 56 AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS. A. 9150--A 4 1 G. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, AN INDEPENDENT MEMBER IS ONE WHO: 2 (1) IS NOT, AND IN THE PAST TWO YEARS HAS NOT BEEN, EMPLOYED BY THE 3 AUTHORITY OR AN AFFILIATE IN AN EXECUTIVE CAPACITY; 4 (2) IS NOT, AND IN THE PAST TWO YEARS HAS NOT BEEN, EMPLOYED BY AN 5 ENTITY THAT RECEIVED REMUNERATION VALUED AT MORE THAN FIFTEEN THOUSAND 6 DOLLARS FOR GOODS AND SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE AUTHORITY OR RECEIVED ANY 7 OTHER FORM OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE VALUED AT MORE THAN FIFTEEN THOUSAND 8 DOLLARS FROM THE AUTHORITY; 9 (3) IS NOT A RELATIVE OF AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE IN AN EXECU- 10 TIVE POSITION OF THE AUTHORITY OR AN AFFILIATE; AND 11 (4) IS NOT, AND IN THE PAST TWO YEARS HAS NOT BEEN, A LOBBYIST REGIS- 12 TERED UNDER A STATE OR LOCAL LAW AND PAID BY A CLIENT TO INFLUENCE THE 13 MANAGEMENT DECISIONS, CONTRACT AWARDS, RATE DETERMINATIONS OR ANY OTHER 14 SIMILAR ACTIONS OF THE AUTHORITY OR AN AFFILIATE. 15 H. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL OR LOCAL LAW, 16 MUNICIPAL CHARTER OR ORDINANCE TO THE CONTRARY, THE BOARD SHALL NOT, 17 DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, INCLUDING THROUGH ANY SUBSIDIARY, EXTEND OR 18 MAINTAIN CREDIT, ARRANGE FOR THE EXTENSION OF CREDIT, OR RENEW AN EXTEN- 19 SION OF CREDIT, IN THE FORM OF A PERSONAL LOAN TO OR FOR ANY OFFICER, 20 BOARD MEMBER OR EMPLOYEE (OR EQUIVALENT THEREOF) OF THE AUTHORITY. 21 S 3. Article VII of section 1 of chapter 154 of the laws of 1921, 22 relating to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, is amended to 23 read as follows: 24 ARTICLE VII. 25 The port authority shall have such additional powers and duties as may 26 hereafter be delegated to or imposed upon it from time to time by the 27 action of the legislature of either state concurred in by the legisla- 28 ture of the other. Unless and until otherwise provided, it shall make an 29 annual report to the legislature of both states PURSUANT TO SECTION 30 THREE OF ARTICLE VII-B OF THIS ACT, setting forth in detail the oper- 31 ations and transactions conducted by it pursuant to this agreement and 32 any legislation thereunder. The port authority shall not pledge the 33 credit of either state except by and with the authority of the legisla- 34 ture thereof. 35 S 4. Chapter 154 of the laws of 1921, relating to the Port Authority 36 of New York and New Jersey, is amended by adding two new articles VII-B 37 and VII-C to read as follows: 38 ARTICLE VII-B 39 S 1. ADDITIONAL POWERS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. IN ADDITION TO 40 THE POWERS AND DUTIES SET FORTH IN ARTICLE VII OF THIS ACT, THE PORT 41 AUTHORITY SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING POWERS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 42 SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE. 43 S 2. DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY. A. DEFINITIONS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF 44 THIS ARTICLE, UNLESS A DIFFERENT MEANING IS REQUIRED BY THE CONTEXT: 45 (1) "CONTRACTING OFFICER" SHALL MEAN THE OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE 46 PORT AUTHORITY WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF THE 47 PORT AUTHORITY TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY. 48 (2) "DISPOSE" OR "DISPOSAL" SHALL MEAN TRANSFER OF TITLE OR ANY OTHER 49 BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN PERSONAL OR REAL PROPERTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH 50 SUBDIVISION C OF THIS SECTION. 51 (3) "PROPERTY" SHALL MEAN PERSONAL PROPERTY IN EXCESS OF FIVE THOUSAND 52 DOLLARS IN VALUE, REAL PROPERTY, AND ANY INCHOATE OR OTHER INTEREST IN 53 SUCH PROPERTY, TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH INTEREST MAY BE CONVEYED TO 54 ANOTHER PERSON FOR ANY PURPOSE, EXCLUDING AN INTEREST SECURING A LOAN OR 55 OTHER FINANCIAL OBLIGATION OF ANOTHER PARTY. A. 9150--A 5 1 B. DUTIES OF THE PORT AUTHORITY WITH RESPECT TO THE DISPOSAL OF PROP- 2 ERTY. (1) THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL ADOPT BY RESOLUTION COMPREHENSIVE 3 GUIDELINES WHICH SHALL (A) DETAIL THE AUTHORITY'S OPERATIVE POLICY AND 4 INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THE USE, AWARDING, MONITORING AND REPORTING OF 5 CONTRACTS FOR THE DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY, AND (B) DESIGNATE A CONTRACTING 6 OFFICER WHO SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AUTHORITY'S COMPLIANCE WITH, 7 AND ENFORCEMENT OF, SUCH GUIDELINES. SUCH GUIDELINES SHALL BE CONSISTENT 8 WITH, AND SHALL REQUIRE THE AUTHORITY'S CONTRACTING ACTIVITIES TO COMPLY 9 WITH THIS SECTION, THE AUTHORITY'S ENABLING LEGISLATION AND ANY OTHER 10 APPLICABLE LAW FOR THE DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY, EXCEPT THAT SUCH GUIDELINES 11 MAY BE STRICTER THAN THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION, THE AUTHORITY'S 12 ENABLING LEGISLATION AND ANY OTHER APPLICABLE LAW FOR THE DISPOSAL OF 13 PROPERTY IF THE AUTHORITY DETERMINES THAT ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS ARE 14 NECESSARY TO ASSURE THE INTEGRITY OF ITS DISPOSITION ACTIVITIES. GUIDE- 15 LINES APPROVED BY THE AUTHORITY SHALL BE ANNUALLY REVIEWED AND APPROVED 16 BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE AUTHORITY. ON OR BEFORE THE THIR- 17 TY-FIRST DAY OF MARCH IN EACH YEAR, THE AUTHORITY SHALL FILE WITH THE 18 STATE COMPTROLLER OF EACH STATE A COPY OF THE GUIDELINES MOST RECENTLY 19 REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE AUTHORITY, INCLUDING THE NAME OF THE 20 AUTHORITY'S DESIGNATED CONTRACTING OFFICER. AT THE TIME OF FILING SUCH 21 GUIDELINES WITH THE STATE COMPTROLLER, THE AUTHORITY SHALL ALSO POST 22 SUCH GUIDELINES ON THE AUTHORITY'S INTERNET WEBSITE. GUIDELINES POSTED 23 ON THE AUTHORITY'S INTERNET WEBSITE SHALL BE MAINTAINED ON SUCH WEBSITE 24 AT LEAST UNTIL THE PROCUREMENT GUIDELINES FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR ARE 25 POSTED ON SUCH WEBSITE. 26 (2) THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL: 27 (A) MAINTAIN ADEQUATE INVENTORY CONTROLS AND ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEMS 28 FOR ALL PROPERTY UNDER ITS CONTROL; 29 (B) PERIODICALLY INVENTORY SUCH PROPERTY TO DETERMINE WHICH PROPERTY 30 SHALL BE DISPOSED OF; 31 (C) PRODUCE A WRITTEN REPORT OF SUCH PROPERTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARA- 32 GRAPH THREE OF THIS SUBDIVISION; 33 (D) TRANSFER OR DISPOSE OF SUCH PROPERTY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN 34 ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION C OF THIS SECTION. 35 (3)(A) THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL PUBLISH, NOT LESS FREQUENTLY THAN 36 ANNUALLY, A REPORT LISTING ALL REAL PROPERTY OF THE AUTHORITY. SUCH 37 REPORT SHALL INCLUDE A LIST AND FULL DESCRIPTION OF ALL REAL AND 38 PERSONAL PROPERTY DISPOSED OF DURING SUCH PERIOD. THE REPORT SHALL 39 CONTAIN THE PRICE RECEIVED BY THE AUTHORITY AND THE NAME OF THE PURCHAS- 40 ER FOR ALL SUCH PROPERTY SOLD BY THE AUTHORITY DURING SUCH PERIOD. 41 (B) THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL DELIVER COPIES OF SUCH REPORT TO THE 42 GOVERNOR, STATE COMPTROLLER, AND THE LEGISLATURE OF EACH STATE. 43 C. DISPOSAL OF PORT AUTHORITY PROPERTY. (1) SUPERVISION AND DIRECTION. 44 EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, THE CONTRACTING OFFICER 45 DESIGNATED BY THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL HAVE SUPERVISION AND DIRECTION 46 OVER THE DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY OF THE AUTHORITY. 47 (2) CUSTODY AND CONTROL. THE CUSTODY AND CONTROL OF THE PROPERTY OF 48 THE PORT AUTHORITY, PENDING ITS DISPOSITION, AND THE DISPOSAL OF SUCH 49 PROPERTY, SHALL BE PERFORMED BY THE AUTHORITY. 50 (3) METHOD OF DISPOSITION. SUBJECT TO SUBDIVISION B OF THIS SECTION, 51 THE PORT AUTHORITY MAY DISPOSE OF PROPERTY FOR NOT LESS THAN THE FAIR 52 MARKET VALUE OF SUCH PROPERTY BY SALE, EXCHANGE, OR TRANSFER, FOR CASH, 53 CREDIT, OR OTHER PROPERTY, WITH OR WITHOUT WARRANTY, AND UPON SUCH OTHER 54 TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS THE CONTRACTING OFFICER DEEMS PROPER, AND IT MAY 55 EXECUTE SUCH DOCUMENTS FOR THE TRANSFER OF TITLE OR OTHER INTEREST IN 56 PROPERTY AND TAKE SUCH OTHER ACTION AS IT DEEMS NECESSARY OR PROPER TO A. 9150--A 6 1 DISPOSE OF SUCH PROPERTY UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION. 2 PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT NO DISPOSITION OF REAL PROPERTY, OR ANY INTEREST 3 IN REAL PROPERTY, SHALL BE MADE UNLESS AN APPRAISAL OF THE VALUE OF SUCH 4 PROPERTY HAS BEEN MADE BY AN INDEPENDENT APPRAISER AND INCLUDED IN THE 5 RECORD OF THE TRANSACTION, AND, PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT NO DISPOSITION OF 6 ANY OTHER PROPERTY, WHICH BECAUSE OF ITS UNIQUE NATURE OR THE UNIQUE 7 CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION IS NOT READILY VALUED BY 8 REFERENCE TO AN ACTIVE MARKET FOR SIMILAR PROPERTY, SHALL BE MADE WITH- 9 OUT A SIMILAR APPRAISAL. 10 (4) VALIDITY OF DEED, BILL OF SALE, LEASE, OR OTHER INSTRUMENT. A 11 DEED, BILL OF SALE, LEASE, OR OTHER INSTRUMENT EXECUTED BY OR ON BEHALF 12 OF THE PORT AUTHORITY, PURPORTING TO TRANSFER TITLE OR ANY OTHER INTER- 13 EST IN PROPERTY OF THE AUTHORITY UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE 14 EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION INSOFAR AS 15 CONCERNS TITLE OR OTHER INTEREST OF ANY BONA FIDE GRANTEE OR TRANSFEREE 16 WHO HAS GIVEN VALUABLE CONSIDERATION FOR SUCH TITLE OR OTHER INTEREST 17 AND HAS NOT RECEIVED ACTUAL OR CONSTRUCTIVE NOTICE OF LACK OF SUCH 18 COMPLIANCE PRIOR TO THE CLOSING. 19 (5) BIDS FOR DISPOSAL; ADVERTISING; PROCEDURE; DISPOSAL BY NEGOTI- 20 ATION; EXPLANATORY STATEMENT. (A) ALL DISPOSALS OR CONTRACTS FOR 21 DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY OF THE PORT AUTHORITY MADE OR AUTHORIZED BY THE 22 CONTRACTING OFFICER SHALL BE MADE AFTER PUBLICLY ADVERTISING FOR BIDS 23 EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (C) OF THIS PARAGRAPH. 24 (B) WHENEVER PUBLIC ADVERTISING FOR BIDS IS REQUIRED UNDER SUBPARA- 25 GRAPH (A) OF THIS PARAGRAPH: 26 (I) THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS SHALL BE MADE AT SUCH TIME PRIOR TO THE 27 DISPOSAL OR CONTRACT, THROUGH SUCH METHODS, AND ON SUCH TERMS AND CONDI- 28 TIONS AS SHALL PERMIT FULL AND FREE COMPETITION CONSISTENT WITH THE 29 VALUE AND NATURE OF THE PROPERTY; 30 (II) ALL BIDS SHALL BE PUBLICLY DISCLOSED AT THE TIME AND PLACE STATED 31 IN THE ADVERTISEMENT; AND 32 (III) THE AWARD SHALL BE MADE WITH REASONABLE PROMPTNESS BY NOTICE TO 33 THE RESPONSIBLE BIDDER WHOSE BID, CONFORMING TO THE INVITATION FOR BIDS, 34 WILL BE MOST ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE STATE, PRICE AND OTHER FACTORS CONSID- 35 ERED; PROVIDED, THAT ALL BIDS MAY BE REJECTED WHEN IT IS IN THE PUBLIC 36 INTEREST TO DO SO. 37 (C) DISPOSALS AND CONTRACTS FOR DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY MAY BE NEGOTIATED 38 OR MADE BY PUBLIC AUCTION WITHOUT REGARD TO SUBPARAGRAPHS (A) AND (B) OF 39 THIS PARAGRAPH BUT SUBJECT TO OBTAINING SUCH COMPETITION AS IS FEASIBLE 40 UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, IF: 41 (I) THE PERSONAL PROPERTY INVOLVED HAS QUALITIES SEPARATE FROM THE 42 UTILITARIAN PURPOSE OF SUCH PROPERTY, SUCH AS ARTISTIC QUALITY, ANTIQUI- 43 TY, HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE, RARITY, OR OTHER QUALITY OF SIMILAR EFFECT, 44 THAT WOULD TEND TO INCREASE ITS VALUE, OR IF THE PERSONAL PROPERTY IS TO 45 BE SOLD IN SUCH QUANTITY THAT, IF IT WERE DISPOSED OF UNDER SUBPARA- 46 GRAPHS (A) AND (B) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE STATE 47 OR LOCAL MARKET FOR SUCH PROPERTY, AND THE ESTIMATED FAIR MARKET VALUE 48 OF SUCH PROPERTY AND OTHER SATISFACTORY TERMS OF DISPOSAL CAN BE 49 OBTAINED BY NEGOTIATION; 50 (II) THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE PROPERTY DOES NOT EXCEED FIFTEEN 51 THOUSAND DOLLARS; 52 (III) BID PRICES AFTER ADVERTISING THEREFOR ARE NOT REASONABLE, EITHER 53 AS TO ALL OR SOME PART OF THE PROPERTY, OR HAVE NOT BEEN INDEPENDENTLY 54 ARRIVED AT IN OPEN COMPETITION; A. 9150--A 7 1 (IV) THE DISPOSAL WILL BE TO THE STATE OR ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION, 2 AND THE ESTIMATED FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE PROPERTY AND OTHER SATISFAC- 3 TORY TERMS OF DISPOSAL ARE OBTAINED BY NEGOTIATION; 4 (V) UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES PERMITTED BY PARAGRAPH SIX OF THIS 5 SUBDIVISION; OR 6 (VI) SUCH ACTION IS OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED BY LAW. 7 (D)(I) AN EXPLANATORY STATEMENT SHALL BE PREPARED OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES 8 OF EACH DISPOSAL BY NEGOTIATION OF: 9 (A) ANY PERSONAL PROPERTY WHICH HAS AN ESTIMATED FAIR MARKET VALUE IN 10 EXCESS OF FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS; 11 (B) ANY REAL PROPERTY THAT HAS AN ESTIMATED FAIR MARKET VALUE IN 12 EXCESS OF ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS, EXCEPT THAT ANY REAL PROPERTY 13 DISPOSED OF BY LEASE OR EXCHANGE SHALL ONLY BE SUBJECT TO SUBCLAUSES (C) 14 AND (D) OF THIS CLAUSE; 15 (C) ANY REAL PROPERTY DISPOSED OF BY LEASE, IF THE ESTIMATED ANNUAL 16 RENT OVER THE TERM OF THE LEASE IS IN EXCESS OF FIFTEEN THOUSAND 17 DOLLARS; 18 (D) ANY REAL PROPERTY OR REAL AND RELATED PERSONAL PROPERTY DISPOSED 19 OF BY EXCHANGE, REGARDLESS OF VALUE, OR ANY PROPERTY ANY PART OF THE 20 CONSIDERATION FOR WHICH IS REAL PROPERTY. 21 (II) EACH SUCH STATEMENT SHALL BE TRANSMITTED TO THE PERSONS ENTITLED 22 TO RECEIVE COPIES OF THE REPORT REQUIRED UNDER SUBDIVISION B OF THIS 23 SECTION NOT LESS THAN NINETY DAYS IN ADVANCE OF SUCH DISPOSAL, AND A 24 COPY THEREOF SHALL BE PRESERVED IN THE FILES OF THE AUTHORITY. 25 (6) DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY FOR LESS THAN FAIR MARKET VALUE. (A) NO ASSET 26 OWNED, LEASED OR OTHERWISE IN THE CONTROL OF THE PORT AUTHORITY MAY BE 27 SOLD, LEASED, OR OTHERWISE ALIENATED FOR LESS THAN ITS FAIR MARKET VALUE 28 EXCEPT IF: 29 (I) THE TRANSFEREE IS A GOVERNMENT OR OTHER PUBLIC ENTITY, AND THE 30 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE TRANSFER REQUIRE THAT THE OWNERSHIP AND USE 31 OF THE ASSET WILL REMAIN WITH THE GOVERNMENT OR ANY OTHER PUBLIC ENTITY; 32 (II) THE PURPOSE OF THE TRANSFER IS WITHIN THE PURPOSE, MISSION OR 33 GOVERNING STATUTE OF THE AUTHORITY; OR 34 (III) IN THE EVENT THE AUTHORITY SEEKS TO TRANSFER AN ASSET FOR LESS 35 THAN ITS FAIR MARKET VALUE TO OTHER THAN A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY, WHICH 36 DISPOSAL WOULD NOT BE CONSISTENT WITH THE AUTHORITY'S MISSION, PURPOSE 37 OR GOVERNING STATUTES, SUCH AUTHORITY SHALL PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTIFICATION 38 THEREOF TO THE GOVERNOR OF EACH STATE, AND SUCH PROPOSED TRANSFER SHALL 39 BE SUBJECT TO DENIAL BY EITHER GOVERNOR. DENIAL BY THE GOVERNOR SHALL 40 TAKE THE FORM OF A SIGNED CERTIFICATION BY THE GOVERNOR. THE GOVERNOR 41 SHALL TAKE ANY SUCH ACTION WITHIN SIXTY DAYS OF RECEIVING NOTIFICATION 42 OF SUCH PROPOSED TRANSFER. IF NO SUCH CERTIFICATION IS PERFORMED WITHIN 43 SIXTY DAYS OF SUCH NOTIFICATION OF THE PROPOSED TRANSFER TO THE GOVER- 44 NOR, THE AUTHORITY MAY EFFECTUATE SUCH TRANSFER. 45 (B) IN THE EVENT A BELOW FAIR MARKET VALUE ASSET TRANSFER IS PROPOSED, 46 THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION MUST BE PROVIDED TO THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 47 AND THE PUBLIC: 48 (I) A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSET; 49 (II) AN APPRAISAL OF THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE ASSET AND ANY OTHER 50 INFORMATION ESTABLISHING THE FAIR MARKET VALUE SOUGHT BY THE BOARD; 51 (III) A DESCRIPTION OF THE PURPOSE OF THE TRANSFER, AND A REASONABLE 52 STATEMENT OF THE KIND AND AMOUNT OF THE BENEFIT TO THE PUBLIC RESULTING 53 FROM THE TRANSFER, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE KIND, NUMBER, 54 LOCATION, WAGES OR SALARIES OF JOBS CREATED OR PRESERVED AS REQUIRED BY 55 THE TRANSFER, THE BENEFITS, IF ANY, TO THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THE 56 ASSET IS SITUATED AS ARE REQUIRED BY THE TRANSFER; A. 9150--A 8 1 (IV) A STATEMENT OF THE VALUE TO BE RECEIVED COMPARED TO THE FAIR 2 MARKET VALUE; 3 (V) THE NAMES OF ANY PRIVATE PARTIES PARTICIPATING IN THE TRANSFER, 4 AND IF DIFFERENT THAN THE STATEMENT REQUIRED BY CLAUSE (IV) OF THIS 5 SUBPARAGRAPH, A STATEMENT OF THE VALUE TO THE PRIVATE PARTY; AND 6 (VI) THE NAMES OF OTHER PRIVATE PARTIES WHO HAVE MADE AN OFFER FOR 7 SUCH ASSET, THE VALUE OFFERED, AND THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THE ASSET WAS 8 SOUGHT TO BE USED. 9 (C) BEFORE APPROVING THE DISPOSAL OF ANY PROPERTY FOR LESS THAN FAIR 10 MARKET VALUE, THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SHALL CONSIDER THE INFORMATION 11 DESCRIBED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS PARAGRAPH AND MAKE A WRITTEN 12 DETERMINATION THAT THERE IS NO REASONABLE ALTERNATIVE TO THE PROPOSED 13 BELOW-MARKET TRANSFER THAT WOULD ACHIEVE THE SAME PURPOSE OF SUCH TRANS- 14 FER. 15 S 3. ANNUAL REPORT. A. THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL SUBMIT TO THE GOVER- 16 NOR, THE STATE COMPTROLLER AND THE LEGISLATURE OF EACH STATE, WITHIN 17 NINETY DAYS AFTER THE END OF ITS FISCAL YEAR, A COMPLETE AND DETAILED 18 REPORT OR REPORTS SETTING FORTH: (1) ITS OPERATIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS; 19 (2) ITS FINANCIAL REPORTS, INCLUDING (A) AUDITED FINANCIALS IN ACCORD- 20 ANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE REGULATIONS AND FOLLOWING GENERALLY ACCEPTED 21 ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES, (B) GRANT AND SUBSIDY PROGRAMS, (C) OPERATING AND 22 FINANCIAL RISKS, (D) CURRENT RATINGS, IF ANY, OF ITS BONDS ISSUED BY 23 RECOGNIZED BOND RATING AGENCIES AND NOTICE OF CHANGES IN SUCH RATINGS, 24 AND (E) LONG-TERM LIABILITIES, INCLUDING LEASES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFIT 25 PLANS; (3) A SCHEDULE OF ITS BONDS AND NOTES OUTSTANDING AT THE END OF 26 ITS FISCAL YEAR, TOGETHER WITH A STATEMENT OF THE AMOUNTS REDEEMED AND 27 INCURRED DURING SUCH FISCAL YEAR AS PART OF A SCHEDULE OF DEBT ISSUANCE 28 THAT INCLUDES THE DATE OF ISSUANCE, TERM, AMOUNT, INTEREST RATE AND 29 MEANS OF REPAYMENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE DEBT SCHEDULE SHALL ALSO INCLUDE 30 ALL REFINANCINGS, CALLS, REFUNDINGS, DEFEASEMENTS AND INTEREST RATE 31 EXCHANGE OR OTHER SUCH AGREEMENTS, AND FOR ANY DEBT ISSUED DURING THE 32 REPORTING YEAR, THE SCHEDULE SHALL ALSO INCLUDE A DETAILED LIST OF COSTS 33 OF ISSUANCE FOR SUCH DEBT; (4) A COMPENSATION SCHEDULE THAT SHALL 34 INCLUDE, BY POSITION, TITLE AND NAME OF THE PERSON HOLDING SUCH POSITION 35 OR TITLE, THE SALARY, COMPENSATION, ALLOWANCE AND/OR BENEFITS PROVIDED 36 TO ANY OFFICER, DIRECTOR OR EMPLOYEE IN A DECISION MAKING OR MANAGERIAL 37 POSITION OF SUCH AUTHORITY WHOSE SALARY IS IN EXCESS OF ONE HUNDRED 38 THOUSAND DOLLARS; (5) BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION, NOT INCLUDING CONFIDEN- 39 TIAL PERSONAL INFORMATION, FOR ALL DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES 40 FOR WHOM SALARY REPORTING IS REQUIRED; (6) THE PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY 41 SUCH AUTHORITY DURING THE PAST YEAR; (7) A LISTING AND DESCRIPTION, IN 42 ADDITION TO THE REPORT REQUIRED BY SUBPARAGRAPH (C) OF PARAGRAPH TWO OF 43 SUBDIVISION B OF SECTION TWO OF THIS ARTICLE, OF ALL REAL PROPERTY OF 44 THE AUTHORITY HAVING AN ESTIMATED FAIR MARKET VALUE IN EXCESS OF FIFTEEN 45 THOUSAND DOLLARS THAT THE AUTHORITY ACQUIRES OR DISPOSES OF DURING SUCH 46 PERIOD. THE REPORT SHALL CONTAIN THE PRICE RECEIVED OR PAID BY THE 47 AUTHORITY AND THE NAME OF THE PURCHASER OR SELLER FOR ALL SUCH PROPERTY 48 SOLD OR BOUGHT BY THE AUTHORITY DURING SUCH PERIOD; (8) SUCH AUTHORITY'S 49 CODE OF ETHICS; (9) AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS INTERNAL 50 CONTROL STRUCTURE AND PROCEDURES; (10) A DESCRIPTION OF THE AUTHORITY 51 AND ITS BOARD STRUCTURE, INCLUDING (A) NAMES OF COMMITTEES AND COMMITTEE 52 MEMBERS, (B) LISTS OF BOARD MEETINGS AND ATTENDANCE, (C) DESCRIPTIONS OF 53 MAJOR AUTHORITY UNITS, SUBSIDIARIES, AND (D) NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES; (11) 54 ITS CHARTER, IF ANY, AND BY-LAWS; (12) A LISTING OF MATERIAL CHANGES IN 55 OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMS DURING THE REPORTING YEAR; (13) AT A MINIMUM A 56 FOUR-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN, INCLUDING (A) A CURRENT AND PROJECTED CAPITAL A. 9150--A 9 1 BUDGET, AND (B) AN OPERATING BUDGET REPORT, INCLUDING AN ACTUAL VERSUS 2 ESTIMATED BUDGET, WITH AN ANALYSIS AND MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL AND 3 OPERATING PERFORMANCE; (14) ITS BOARD PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS; PROVIDED, 4 HOWEVER, THAT SUCH EVALUATIONS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE UNDER 5 THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAWS OF EACH STATE; (15) A DESCRIPTION OF THE 6 TOTAL AMOUNTS OF ASSETS, SERVICES OR BOTH ASSETS AND SERVICES BOUGHT OR 7 SOLD WITHOUT COMPETITIVE BIDDING, INCLUDING (A) THE NATURE OF THOSE 8 ASSETS AND SERVICES, (B) THE NAMES OF THE COUNTERPARTIES, AND (C) WHERE 9 THE CONTRACT PRICE FOR ASSETS PURCHASED EXCEEDS FAIR MARKET VALUE, OR 10 WHERE THE CONTRACT PRICE FOR ASSETS SOLD IS LESS THAN FAIR MARKET VALUE, 11 A DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE JUSTIFICATION FOR MAKING THE PURCHASE OR 12 SALE WITHOUT COMPETITIVE BIDDING, AND A CERTIFICATION BY THE CHIEF EXEC- 13 UTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY THAT 14 THEY HAVE REVIEWED THE TERMS OF SUCH PURCHASE OR SALE AND DETERMINED 15 THAT IT COMPLIES WITH APPLICABLE LAW AND PROCUREMENT GUIDELINES; AND 16 (16) A DESCRIPTION OF ANY MATERIAL PENDING LITIGATION IN WHICH THE 17 AUTHORITY IS INVOLVED AS A PARTY DURING THE REPORTING YEAR. 18 B. THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL MAKE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC, VIA ITS 19 OFFICIAL OR SHARED INTERNET WEB SITE, DOCUMENTATION PERTAINING TO ITS 20 MISSION, CURRENT ACTIVITIES, MOST RECENT ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS, 21 CURRENT YEAR BUDGET AND ITS MOST RECENT INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT UNLESS 22 SUCH INFORMATION IS EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE PURSUANT TO EITHER STATE'S 23 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAWS. 24 C. EVERY FINANCIAL REPORT SUBMITTED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE 25 APPROVED BY THE BOARD AND SHALL BE CERTIFIED IN WRITING BY THE CHIEF 26 EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF SUCH AUTHORITY THAT 27 BASED ON THE OFFICER'S KNOWLEDGE (1) THE INFORMATION PROVIDED THEREIN IS 28 ACCURATE, CORRECT AND DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY UNTRUE STATEMENT OF MATERIAL 29 FACT; (2) DOES NOT OMIT ANY MATERIAL FACT WHICH, IF OMITTED, WOULD CAUSE 30 THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO BE MISLEADING IN LIGHT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES 31 UNDER WHICH SUCH STATEMENTS ARE MADE; AND (3) FAIRLY PRESENTS IN ALL 32 MATERIAL RESPECTS THE FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF 33 THE AUTHORITY AS OF, AND FOR, THE PERIODS PRESENTED IN THE FINANCIAL 34 STATEMENTS. 35 S 4. INDEPENDENT AUDITS AND AUDIT REPORTS. A. THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL 36 SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNOR, THE STATE COMPTROLLER, AND THE LEGISLATURE OF 37 EACH STATE, TOGETHER WITH THE REPORT DESCRIBED IN SECTION THREE OF THIS 38 ARTICLE, A COPY OF THE ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT, PERFORMED BY A 39 CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM IN ACCORDANCE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED 40 AUDITING STANDARDS, AND MANAGEMENT LETTER AND ANY OTHER EXTERNAL EXAM- 41 INATION OF THE BOOKS AND ACCOUNTS OF THE AUTHORITY. 42 B. EACH CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM THAT PERFORMS ANY 43 AUDIT REQUIRED BY THIS ARTICLE SHALL TIMELY REPORT TO THE AUDIT COMMIT- 44 TEE OF SUCH AUTHORITY: (1) ALL CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRAC- 45 TICES TO BE USED; (2) ALL ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS OF FINANCIAL INFORMA- 46 TION WITHIN GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES THAT HAVE BEEN 47 DISCUSSED WITH MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS OF THE AUTHORITY, RAMIFICATIONS OF 48 THE USE OF SUCH ALTERNATIVE DISCLOSURES AND TREATMENTS, AND THE TREAT- 49 MENT PREFERRED BY THE CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM; AND 50 (3) OTHER MATERIAL WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE CERTIFIED INDE- 51 PENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM AND THE MANAGEMENT OF THE AUTHORITY, SUCH 52 AS THE MANAGEMENT LETTER ALONG WITH MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSE OR PLAN OF 53 CORRECTIVE ACTION, MATERIAL CORRECTIONS IDENTIFIED OR SCHEDULE OF UNAD- 54 JUSTED DIFFERENCES, WHERE APPLICABLE. 55 C. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE 56 CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM PROVIDING SUCH AUTHORITY'S A. 9150--A 10 1 ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDIT WILL BE PROHIBITED IN PROVIDING AUDIT SERVICES 2 TO THE AUTHORITY IF THE LEAD (OR COORDINATING) AUDIT PARTNER (HAVING 3 PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE AUDIT), OR THE AUDIT PARTNER RESPONSIBLE 4 FOR REVIEWING THE AUDIT, HAS PERFORMED AUDIT SERVICES FOR THAT ISSUER IN 5 EACH OF THE FIVE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEARS OF SUCH AUTHORITY. 6 D. THE CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM PERFORMING THE 7 AUTHORITY'S AUDIT SHALL BE PROHIBITED FROM PERFORMING ANY NON-AUDIT 8 SERVICES TO SUCH AUTHORITY CONTEMPORANEOUSLY WITH THE AUDIT, UNLESS 9 RECEIVING PREVIOUS WRITTEN APPROVAL BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE INCLUDING: 10 (1) BOOKKEEPING OR OTHER SERVICES RELATED TO THE ACCOUNTING RECORDS OR 11 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SUCH AUTHORITY; (2) FINANCIAL INFORMATION 12 SYSTEMS DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION; (3) APPRAISAL OR VALUATION SERVICES, 13 FAIRNESS OPINIONS, OR CONTRIBUTION-IN-KIND REPORTS; (4) ACTUARIAL 14 SERVICES; (5) INTERNAL AUDIT OUTSOURCING SERVICES; (6) MANAGEMENT FUNC- 15 TIONS OR HUMAN SERVICES; (7) BROKER OR DEALER, INVESTMENT ADVISOR, OR 16 INVESTMENT BANKING SERVICES; AND (8) LEGAL SERVICES AND EXPERT SERVICES 17 UNRELATED TO THE AUDIT. 18 E. IT SHALL BE PROHIBITED FOR ANY CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC 19 ACCOUNTING FIRM TO PERFORM FOR THE AUTHORITY ANY AUDIT SERVICE IF THE 20 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, COMPTROLLER, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, CHIEF 21 ACCOUNTING OFFICER, OR ANY OTHER PERSON SERVING IN AN EQUIVALENT POSI- 22 TION FOR THE AUTHORITY, WAS EMPLOYED BY THAT CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT 23 PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM AND PARTICIPATED IN ANY CAPACITY IN THE AUDIT OF 24 THE AUTHORITY DURING THE ONE YEAR PERIOD PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE 25 INITIATION OF THE AUDIT. 26 F. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, A PUBLIC 27 AUTHORITY MAY EXEMPT INFORMATION FROM DISCLOSURE OR REPORT, IF THE COUN- 28 SEL OF SUCH AUTHORITY DEEMS THAT SUCH INFORMATION IS COVERED BY EITHER 29 STATE'S FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAWS. 30 S 5. WHISTLEBLOWER ACCESS AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. A. DEFINITIONS. 31 (1) "ATTORNEY GENERAL" SHALL MEAN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATES 32 OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY. 33 (2) "EMPLOYEES" MEANS THOSE PERSONS EMPLOYED AT THE PORT AUTHORITY, 34 INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME EMPLOYEES, THOSE 35 EMPLOYEES ON PROBATION, AND TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES. 36 (3) "INSPECTOR GENERAL" SHALL MEAN THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE PORT 37 AUTHORITY. 38 (4) "WHISTLEBLOWER" SHALL MEAN ANY EMPLOYEE OF THE PORT AUTHORITY WHO 39 DISCLOSES INFORMATION CONCERNING ACTS OF WRONGDOING, MISCONDUCT, MALFEA- 40 SANCE, OR OTHER INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR BY AN EMPLOYEE OR BOARD MEMBER OF 41 THE AUTHORITY, CONCERNING THE AUTHORITY'S INVESTMENTS, TRAVEL, ACQUISI- 42 TION OF REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY, THE DISPOSITION OF REAL OR PERSONAL 43 PROPERTY AND THE PROCUREMENT OF GOODS AND SERVICES. 44 B. THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 45 OF BOTH STATES SHALL DEVELOP A WHISTLEBLOWER ACCESS AND ASSISTANCE 46 PROGRAM WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO: 47 (1) EVALUATING AND COMMENTING ON WHISTLEBLOWER PROGRAMS AND POLICIES 48 BY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH FIVE OF SUBDIVISION A OF 49 SECTION TWO OF ARTICLE IV OF THIS ACT; 50 (2) ESTABLISHING TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE AND FACSIMILE LINES AVAILABLE TO 51 EMPLOYEES; 52 (3) OFFERING ADVICE REGARDING EMPLOYEE RIGHTS UNDER APPLICABLE STATE 53 AND FEDERAL LAWS AND ADVICE AND OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO ALL PERSONS; AND 54 (4) OFFERING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EMPLOYEES TO IDENTIFY CONCERNS REGARD- 55 ING ANY ISSUE AT THE PORT AUTHORITY. A. 9150--A 11 1 C. ANY COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN AN EMPLOYEE AND THE INSPECTOR GENERAL 2 PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE HELD STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL BY THE 3 INSPECTOR GENERAL, UNLESS THE EMPLOYEE SPECIFICALLY WAIVES IN WRITING 4 THE RIGHT TO CONFIDENTIALITY, EXCEPT THAT SUCH CONFIDENTIALITY SHALL NOT 5 EXEMPT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL FROM DISCLOSING SUCH INFORMATION, WHERE 6 APPROPRIATE, TO ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY. 7 D. THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL NOT FIRE, DISCHARGE, DEMOTE, SUSPEND, 8 THREATEN, HARASS OR DISCRIMINATE AGAINST AN EMPLOYEE BECAUSE OF THE 9 EMPLOYEE'S ROLE AS A WHISTLEBLOWER, INSOFAR AS THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE 10 EMPLOYEE ARE LEGAL. 11 S 6. LOBBYING CONTACTS. A. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE: 12 (1) "LOBBYIST" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS DEFINED IN THE LAWS OR, 13 RULES OR REGULATIONS OF EITHER STATE. 14 (2) "LOBBYING" SHALL MEAN AND INCLUDE ANY ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE: 15 (A) THE ADOPTION OR REJECTION OF ANY RULE OR REGULATION HAVING THE 16 FORCE AND EFFECT OF LAW BY THE PORT AUTHORITY, AND 17 (B) THE OUTCOME OF ANY RATE MAKING PROCEEDING BY THE PORT AUTHORITY. 18 (3) "CONTACT" SHALL MEAN ANY CONVERSATION, IN PERSON OR BY TELEPHONIC 19 OR OTHER REMOTE MEANS, OR CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN ANY LOBBYIST ENGAGED IN 20 THE ACT OF LOBBYING AND ANY PERSON WITHIN THE PORT AUTHORITY WHO CAN 21 MAKE OR INFLUENCE A DECISION ON THE SUBJECT OF THE LOBBYING ON BEHALF OF 22 THE AUTHORITY, AND SHALL INCLUDE, AT A MINIMUM, ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD 23 OF COMMISSIONERS AND ALL OFFICERS OF THE PORT AUTHORITY. 24 B. THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL MAINTAIN A RECORD OF ALL LOBBYING CONTACTS 25 MADE WITH SUCH AUTHORITY. 26 C. EVERY BOARD MEMBER, OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE AUTHORITY WHO IS 27 CONTACTED BY A LOBBYIST SHALL MAKE A CONTEMPORANEOUS RECORD OF SUCH 28 CONTACT CONTAINING THE DAY AND TIME OF THE CONTACT, THE IDENTITY OF THE 29 LOBBYIST AND A GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE SUBSTANCE OF THE CONTACT. 30 D. THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL ADOPT A POLICY IMPLEMENTING THE REQUIRE- 31 MENTS OF THIS SECTION. SUCH POLICY SHALL APPOINT AN OFFICER TO WHOM ALL 32 SUCH RECORDS SHALL BE DELIVERED. SUCH OFFICER SHALL MAINTAIN SUCH 33 RECORDS FOR NOT LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS IN A FILING SYSTEM DESIGNED TO 34 ORGANIZE SUCH RECORDS IN A MANNER SO AS TO MAKE SUCH RECORDS USEFUL TO 35 DETERMINE WHETHER THE DECISIONS OF THE AUTHORITY WERE INFLUENCED BY 36 LOBBYING CONTACTS. 37 S 7. INSPECTOR GENERAL. A. ESTABLISHMENT AND ORGANIZATION. (1) THERE 38 IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IN THE PORT 39 AUTHORITY. THE HEAD OF THE OFFICE SHALL BE THE INSPECTOR GENERAL WHO 40 SHALL BE APPOINTED BY, AND REPORT TO, THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE 41 PORT AUTHORITY. 42 (2) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL HOLD OFFICE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE 43 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND UNTIL HIS OR HER SUCCESSOR IS APPOINTED AND 44 HAS QUALIFIED. 45 (3) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY APPOINT ONE OR MORE DEPUTY INSPECTORS 46 GENERAL TO SERVE AT HIS OR HER PLEASURE, WHO SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR 47 CONDUCTING AUDITS AND INVESTIGATIONS IN THE PORT AUTHORITY. 48 B. FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES. THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOW- 49 ING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 50 (1) RECEIVE AND INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS FROM ANY SOURCE, OR UPON HIS OR 51 HER OWN INITIATIVE, CONCERNING ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION, FRAUD, CRIMI- 52 NAL ACTIVITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OR ABUSE IN THE PORT AUTHORITY OR 53 ITS SUBSIDIARIES; 54 (2) INFORM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SUCH 55 ALLEGATIONS AND THE PROGRESS OF INVESTIGATIONS RELATED THERETO, UNLESS 56 SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE CONFIDENTIALITY; A. 9150--A 12 1 (3) DETERMINE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH ALLEGATIONS WHETHER DISCIPLINARY 2 ACTION, CIVIL OR CRIMINAL PROSECUTION, OR FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY AN 3 APPROPRIATE FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL AGENCY IS WARRANTED, AND TO ASSIST 4 IN SUCH INVESTIGATIONS; 5 (4) PREPARE AND RELEASE TO THE PUBLIC WRITTEN REPORTS OF SUCH INVESTI- 6 GATIONS, AS APPROPRIATE AND TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, SUBJECT TO 7 REDACTION TO PROTECT THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF WITNESSES. THE RELEASE OF 8 ALL OR PORTIONS OF SUCH REPORTS MAY BE DEFERRED TO PROTECT THE CONFIDEN- 9 TIALITY OF ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS; 10 (5) REVIEW AND EXAMINE PERIODICALLY THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF THE 11 PORT AUTHORITY WITH REGARD TO THE PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF 12 CORRUPTION, FRAUD, CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OR ABUSE; 13 (6) RECOMMEND REMEDIAL ACTION TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE CORRUPTION, 14 FRAUD, CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OR ABUSE; 15 (7) ESTABLISH PROGRAMS FOR TRAINING PORT AUTHORITY OFFICERS AND 16 EMPLOYEES REGARDING THE PREVENTION AND ELIMINATION OF CORRUPTION, FRAUD, 17 CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OR ABUSE IN COVERED AGENCIES. 18 C. POWERS. THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO: 19 (1) SUBPOENA AND ENFORCE THE ATTENDANCE OF WITNESSES; 20 (2) ADMINISTER OATHS OR AFFIRMATIONS AND EXAMINE WITNESSES UNDER OATH; 21 (3) REQUIRE THE PRODUCTION OF ANY BOOKS AND PAPERS DEEMED RELEVANT OR 22 MATERIAL TO ANY INVESTIGATION, EXAMINATION OR REVIEW; 23 (4) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY LAW TO THE CONTRARY, EXAMINE AND COPY OR 24 REMOVE DOCUMENTS OR RECORDS OF ANY KIND PREPARED, MAINTAINED OR HELD BY 25 THE PORT AUTHORITY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES; 26 (5) REQUIRE ANY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE PORT AUTHORITY OR ITS 27 SUBSIDIARIES TO ANSWER QUESTIONS CONCERNING ANY MATTER RELATED TO THE 28 PERFORMANCE OF HIS OR HER OFFICIAL DUTIES. NO STATEMENT OR OTHER 29 EVIDENCE DERIVED THEREFROM MAY BE USED AGAINST SUCH OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE 30 IN ANY SUBSEQUENT CRIMINAL PROSECUTION OTHER THAN FOR PERJURY OR 31 CONTEMPT ARISING FROM SUCH TESTIMONY. THE REFUSAL OF ANY OFFICER OR 32 EMPLOYEE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS SHALL BE CAUSE FOR REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OR 33 EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER APPROPRIATE PENALTY; 34 (6) MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION BY THE PORT AUTHORITY OF ANY RECOMMEN- 35 DATIONS MADE BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL; 36 (7) PERFORM ANY OTHER FUNCTIONS THAT ARE NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE TO 37 FULFILL THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICE. 38 D. RESPONSIBILITIES OF PORT AUTHORITY OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES. EVERY 39 OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE IN THE PORT AUTHORITY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES SHALL 40 REPORT PROMPTLY TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING 41 CORRUPTION, FRAUD, CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OR ABUSE BY 42 ANOTHER PORT AUTHORITY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE RELATING TO HIS OR HER OFFICE 43 OR EMPLOYMENT, OR BY A PERSON HAVING BUSINESS DEALINGS WITH THE PORT 44 AUTHORITY RELATING TO THOSE DEALINGS. THE KNOWING FAILURE OF ANY OFFICER 45 OR EMPLOYEE TO SO REPORT SHALL BE CAUSE FOR REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OR 46 EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER APPROPRIATE PENALTY. ANY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE WHO 47 ACTS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION BY REPORTING TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL 48 IMPROPER GOVERNMENTAL ACTION SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO DISMISSAL, DISCI- 49 PLINE OR OTHER ADVERSE PERSONNEL ACTION. 50 S 8. REPORTING OF PUBLIC AUTHORITY DEBT. AT LEAST SIXTY DAYS PRIOR TO 51 THE END OF ITS FISCAL YEAR, THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL SUBMIT TO THE 52 GOVERNOR, STATE COMPTROLLER AND LEGISLATURE OF EACH STATE A STATEMENT OF 53 INTENT TO GUIDE THE AUTHORITY'S ISSUANCE AND OVERALL AMOUNT OF BONDS, 54 NOTES, OR OTHER DEBT OBLIGATIONS IT MAY ISSUE DURING THE UPCOMING FISCAL 55 YEAR. A. 9150--A 13 1 S 9. SUBSIDIARIES OF THE PORT AUTHORITY. A. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY LAW TO 2 THE CONTRARY, THE PORT AUTHORITY SHALL NOT HAVE THE POWER TO ORGANIZE 3 ANY SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION UNLESS THE LEGISLATURE OF BOTH STATES SHALL 4 HAVE ENACTED A LAW GRANTING THE AUTHORITY SUCH POWER FOR THE ORGANIZA- 5 TION OF A SPECIFIC CORPORATION, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE PORT AUTHOR- 6 ITY MAY ORGANIZE A SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION PURSUANT TO THE FOLLOWING 7 REQUIREMENTS: 8 (1) THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THE SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION SHALL BE ORGAN- 9 IZED SHALL BE FOR A PROJECT OR PROJECTS WHICH THE AUTHORITY HAS THE 10 POWER TO PURSUE PURSUANT TO ITS CORPORATE PURPOSES; 11 (2) THE PRIMARY REASON FOR WHICH THE SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION SHALL BE 12 ORGANIZED SHALL BE TO LIMIT THE POTENTIAL LIABILITY IMPACT OF THE 13 SUBSIDIARY'S PROJECT OR PROJECTS ON THE AUTHORITY OR BECAUSE STATE OR 14 FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES THAT THE PURPOSE OF A SUBSIDIARY BE UNDERTAKEN 15 THROUGH A SPECIFIC CORPORATE STRUCTURE; AND 16 (3) THE SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION SHALL MAKE THE REPORTS AND OTHER 17 DISCLOSURES AS ARE REQUIRED BY THE PORT AUTHORITY, UNLESS THE SUBSIDIARY 18 CORPORATION'S OPERATIONS AND FINANCES ARE CONSOLIDATED WITH THOSE OF THE 19 AUTHORITY. 20 B. IN SUCH CASES WHERE THE PORT AUTHORITY IS GRANTED THE POWER TO 21 ORGANIZE A SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION A OF THIS 22 SECTION, THE AUTHORITY SHALL FILE, NO LESS THAN SIXTY DAYS PRIOR TO THE 23 FORMATION OF SUCH SUBSIDIARY, NOTICE TO THE GOVERNOR, THE COMPTROLLER, 24 AND THE LEGISLATURE OF EACH STATE THAT IT WILL BE CREATING A SUBSIDIARY. 25 C. SUBSIDIARY CORPORATIONS FORMED UNDER SUBDIVISION A OF THIS SECTION 26 SHALL NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ISSUE BONDS, NOTES OR OTHER DEBTS, 27 PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH SUBSIDIARY CORPORATIONS MAY ISSUE NOTES OR 28 OTHER DEBT TO THE PORT AUTHORITY. NO SUCH DEBT ISSUED BY THE SUBSIDIARY 29 TO THE AUTHORITY SHALL IN TOTAL EXCEED, AT ANY TIME, A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT 30 OF FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS OR, DURING THE NINE MONTHS AFTER THE 31 FORMATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY, ONE MILLION DOLLARS. 32 D. THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OR OTHER DOCUMENT FILED TO ORGAN- 33 IZE A SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL STATE THAT THE 34 PORT AUTHORITY IS THE PERSON ORGANIZING THE CORPORATION. 35 E. ON OR BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF JANUARY, TWO THOUSAND THIRTEEN, AND 36 ANNUALLY ON SUCH DAY THEREAFTER, ANY SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION, IN COOPER- 37 ATION WITH THE PORT AUTHORITY, SHALL PROVIDE TO THE GOVERNOR AND LEGIS- 38 LATURE OF EACH STATE A REPORT ON THE SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION. SUCH REPORT 39 SHALL INCLUDE FOR EACH SUBSIDIARY: 40 (1) THE COMPLETE LEGAL NAME, ADDRESS AND CONTACT INFORMATION OF THE 41 SUBSIDIARY; 42 (2) THE STRUCTURE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY, INCLUDING THE 43 NAMES AND TITLES OF EACH OF ITS MEMBERS, DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS, AS WELL 44 AS A CHART OF ITS ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE; 45 (3) THE COMPLETE BYLAWS AND LEGAL ORGANIZATION PAPERS OF THE SUBSID- 46 IARY; 47 (4) A COMPLETE REPORT OF THE PURPOSE, OPERATIONS, MISSION AND PROJECTS 48 OF THE SUBSIDIARY, INCLUDING A STATEMENT OF JUSTIFICATION AS TO WHY THE 49 SUBSIDIARY IS NECESSARY TO CONTINUE ITS OPERATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC BENE- 50 FIT FOR THE PEOPLE OF BOTH STATES; AND 51 (5) ANY OTHER INFORMATION THE SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION DEEMS IMPORTANT 52 TO INCLUDE IN SUCH REPORT. 53 S 10. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE. 1. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF 54 LAW TO THE CONTRARY: (A) THE COMMISSIONERS FROM THE STATE OF NEW YORK 55 AND ALL OFFICERS OF THE AUTHORITY; AND (B) EMPLOYEES WHO HOLD 56 POLICY-MAKING POSITIONS OR WHOSE ANNUAL SALARY EQUALS OR EXCEEDS THE A. 9150--A 14 1 SALARY RATE OF SG-24 AS SET FORTH IN PARAGRAPH A OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF 2 SECTION ONE HUNDRED THIRTY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW AS OF APRIL FIRST OF 3 THE YEAR IN WHICH AN ANNUAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT SHALL BE 4 FILED AND WHOSE OFFICE OR ASSIGNED WORK STATION OR PLACE IS LOCATED IN 5 THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL FILE ANNUAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS 6 PURSUANT TO SECTION SEVENTY-THREE-A OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW. 7 2. ANY EMPLOYEE WHO IS SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH B OF 8 SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION AND WHOSE OFFICE OR ASSIGNED WORK 9 STATION OR PLACE IS LOCATED IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY SHALL COMPLY WITH 10 THE FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH STATE. 11 3. ANY PERSON WHO IS REQUIRED TO FILE ANNUAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS 12 PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE 13 PROVISIONS, INCLUDING THE ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS, OF SECTION 14 SEVENTY-THREE-A OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW. 15 4. ANY PERSON WHO FILES AN ANNUAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO 16 SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO FILE AN ANNUAL 17 FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT OR ITS EQUIVALENT IN THE STATE OF NEW 18 JERSEY. THE FILING AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE 19 STATEMENT PURSUANT TO THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW SHALL CONSTITUTE FULL 20 COMPLIANCE WITH THE FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATE OF 21 NEW JERSEY FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION. 22 ARTICLE VII-C 23 S 1. FEES, TOLLS, CHARGES AND FARE INCREASES; HEARINGS. NOT MORE THAN 24 NINETY DAYS PRIOR TO ANY VOTE OR ACTION TAKEN BY THE BOARD OF COMMIS- 25 SIONERS RELATING TO ANY INCREASE IN THE TOLLS, FEES OR CHARGES FOR THE 26 USE OF ANY FACILITY OF THE AUTHORITY, INCLUDING ITS BRIDGES AND TUNNELS, 27 THE AUTHORITY SHALL CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARINGS PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE. 28 S 2. HEARINGS. (A) THE AUTHORITY SHALL CONDUCT AT LEAST ONE HEARING IN 29 EACH COUNTY OF THE STATES OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, WHOSE RESIDENTS 30 WILL BE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY ANY PROPOSED INCREASE IN TOLLS, FEES OR 31 OTHER CHARGES, AS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD IN CONSULTATION WITH STATE AND 32 LOCAL PUBLIC OFFICIALS. 33 (B) ALL OF THE PUBLIC HEARINGS SHALL BE HELD LESS THAN NINETY DAYS, 34 BUT MORE THAN THIRTY DAYS, BEFORE ANY MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMIS- 35 SIONERS TO VOTE TO INCREASE ANY TOLLS, FEES OR OTHER CHARGES. 36 (C) EACH HEARING SHALL BE ATTENDED BY AT LEAST ONE COMMISSIONER FROM 37 NEW YORK AND ONE COMMISSIONER FROM NEW JERSEY. 38 S 3. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT. STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH EACH OF THE REQUIRE- 39 MENTS SET FORTH IN SECTION TWO OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE A LEGAL CONDI- 40 TION PRECEDENT FOR PLACING ON THE MEETING AGENDA OF THE BOARD OF COMMIS- 41 SIONERS ANY MATTER RELATING TO AN INCREASE IN TOLLS, FEES OR OTHER 42 CHARGES. UNLESS THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD CERTIFIES THAT ALL OF THE 43 REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION TWO HAVE BEEN FULLY COMPLIED WITH, THE BOARD IS 44 PROHIBITED FROM PLACING ON ITS MEETING AGENDA ANY MATTER RELATING TO AN 45 INCREASE IN TOLLS, FEES OR OTHER CHARGES. 46 S 4. BARRIER-FREE ACCESS. THE BOARD SHALL MAKE OR CAUSE TO BE MADE ALL 47 REASONABLE EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT MEETINGS ARE HELD IN FACILITIES THAT 48 PERMIT BARRIER-FREE PHYSICAL ACCESS TO THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED. IF 49 THE BOARD DETERMINES TO USE VIDEO CONFERENCING OR SIMILAR TECHNOLOGY TO 50 CONDUCT ITS MEETING, IT SHALL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO 51 ATTEND, LISTEN AND OBSERVE AT ANY SITE AT WHICH A COMMISSIONER PARTIC- 52 IPATES. 53 S 5. Article XIV of chapter 154 of the laws of 1921, relating to the 54 Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, is amended to read as 55 follows: 56 ARTICLE XIV. A. 9150--A 15 1 The BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE port authority shall elect from its 2 number a chairman WHO SHALL BE A COMMISSIONER APPOINTED FROM THE STATE 3 OF NEW JERSEY, vice-chairman, and may appoint such officers and employ- 4 ees as it may require for the performance of its duties, and shall fix 5 and determine their qualifications and duties. THE BOARD OF COMMISSION- 6 ERS SHALL APPOINT AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE 7 GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL NOT BE A 8 MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. 9 S 6. Severability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivi- 10 sion, section or part of this act shall be adjudged by any court of 11 competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, 12 impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in 13 its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section 14 or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judg- 15 ment shall have been rendered. It is hereby declared to be the intent of 16 the legislature that this act would have been enacted even if such 17 invalid provisions had not been included herein. 18 S 7. This act shall take effect upon the enactment into law by the 19 state of New Jersey of legislation having an identical effect with this 20 act, but if the state of New Jersey shall have already enacted such 21 legislation this act shall take effect immediately. The chairman of the 22 port authority shall notify the legislative bill drafting commission 23 upon the enactment into law of such legislation by both such states in 24 order that the commission may maintain an accurate and timely effective 25 data base of the official text of the laws of the state of New York in 26 furtherance of effecting the provision of section 44 of the legislative 27 law and section 70-b of the public officers law.