NY A00238

Establishes a New York State Legislative Research Service to provide nonpartisan research and analysis assistance to legislative committees regarding proposed legislation and executive agency recommendations.

Authorizes the service to analyze proposals, estimate probable results, evaluate alternative methods, and request necessary documents from state departments and agencies when authorized by a committee.

Requires the service to provide committees with lists of expiring programs at the start of each session, prepare bill summaries and digests, and maintain current legislative information and research materials.

Provides that the Librarian of the Legislative Library appoints the Director at a salary equal to a state legislator's salary, with authority to hire specialists and senior specialists in 22 specified fields including education, health, taxation, and environmental conservation.

Grants the Director authority to organize requests by category, establish internal divisions, and contract with educational and research organizations for temporary expert assistance without advertising for competitive bids; takes effect 180 days after enactment.