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Commission plans bylaw changes to allow statements on state legislation
Summary
Members discussed amending the commission’s bylaws so it can issue statements or letters in support of state legislation; commissioners agreed the bylaws must be opened formally, reviewed by corporation counsel and go through public comment before any vote.
At a commission meeting, members discussed formally opening and amending the commission’s bylaws to permit issuing statements or letters in support of state-level legislation and policy.
The change under consideration would let the commission move beyond city-level recommendations and “issue statements or letters for support of state legislation,” Commission member Sharon said, citing New York City’s gender equity commission as a model. Sharon said the committee is still developing language for an amendment but wants the option available.
Why it matters: commissioners said an explicit bylaw clause would clarify the commission’s authority to weigh in on statewide bills affecting gender equity and related issues. Commissioners also stressed they must follow the city’s procedural steps before making any formal policy statements.
Commission member Shannon, asked as the group’s bylaws resource, said the commission must place a motion on a future agenda to open the bylaws for revision; changes would then be drafted, reviewed and presented back to the full commission. “We need to vote to open them up,” Shannon said, adding that after committee drafting, the proposed bylaws would be sent to corporation counsel and then offered for public comment and a public hearing before a final vote.
Commission members raised process questions and timeline. One member estimated the full process could take “three months minimum,” and several commissioners said they did not want to try to open or adopt bylaws changes during the single meeting they were in. Commissioners agreed to add a formal agenda item for the next meeting to begin the process of opening the bylaws for revision.
No formal motion to amend the bylaws was made or voted on at the meeting. Instead, commissioners directed the legislative advocacy committee to prepare draft language and to coordinate with staff and corporation counsel on required steps and timing. Commissioners also discussed making the draft available for public comment before any final vote.
Ending: Commissioners agreed to place a bylaws-modification item on a future agenda, to request corporation counsel’s guidance on the exact procedural steps, and to return a draft for public review and a subsequent vote.
