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Assembly approves chapter amendment limiting .gov requirement to larger municipalities
Summary
Lawmakers approved a chapter amendment requiring municipalities above a 1,500-resident threshold to use .gov domains or host municipal pages, extending the compliance window from 180 days to one year; vote recorded at 128–14.
The Assembly passed a chapter amendment to a prior bill that narrows a requirement for municipalities to adopt a .gov domain or equivalent municipal web presence. Sponsor Miss Casay said the amendment creates a population threshold of 1,500 residents — municipalities under that threshold would be "asked to implement" the changes only "to the extent practicable" rather than required.
Casay described the policy rationale as improved cybersecurity and trust: ".Gov, not anyone can get a .gov ... it's a level of security for the residents who are accessing that website," she said, noting the federal program provides extra cybersecurity protections. She added municipalities that must comply may create a page on an existing town or county site rather than build a full new site.
Questioners from rural districts warned of unfunded-mandate concerns and limited broadband or IT capacity. Mister Angelino said many towns in his upstate district lack cell service or broadband, calling the requirement an "unfunded mandate" for communities with minimal budgets and staff. Casay and other sponsors said domain redirection is technically simple and that many municipalities already have sites; the amendment also doubles the implementation window from 180 days to one year.
The clerk recorded the vote on the chapter amendment as Ayes 128, Noes 14; the bill was passed on the floor. Members acknowledged lingering concerns about rural infrastructure and home rule even as they supported the amended, narrower requirement.
