Int. No.
By Council Member Carr
A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to reporting on third-party public communications
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 49 of the New York city charter is amended by adding a new section 1136.3 to read as follows:
§ 1136.3. Reporting on third-party public communications. a. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Election year. The term “election year” means a calendar year in which a primary or general election will be held for the office of mayor, public advocate, comptroller, borough president, or council member.
Public servant. The term “public servant” means all officials, officers, and employees of the city, including members of community boards and members of advisory committees, not including unpaid members of advisory committees.
Third-party public communication. The term “third-party public communication” means any published communication, including but not limited to any content posted on an internet website, digital application, or social media platform, where the author of such communication is either (i) not a public servant or city agency or (ii) not clearly identified as a public servant or city agency.
b. Any public servant that uses or authorizes the use of governmental funds or resources for a third-party public communication shall ensure that the following information regarding such communication is reported to the department of records and information services no less than 60 days after such use or authorization:
1. The name of the author of the communication;
2. Every internet website, digital application, or social media platform on which the author posted the communication, and the username of the author on each such website, application, or platform;
3. The subject matter of the communication;
4. If the author was hired by a vendor, the name of such vendor; and
5. A description of the governmental funds or resources used for the communication, including the total dollar amount of governmental funds paid, if any, for the communication.
c. No less than quarterly in any election year, and no less than twice per year in any year other than an election year, the department of records and information services shall report to the mayor and the speaker of the council, and post on the single web portal established pursuant to section 23-502 of the administrative code of the city of New York, all information reported to it pursuant to subdivision b of this section.
§ 2. This local law takes effect 90 days after it becomes law.
REC
LS #26243
09/11/2026 1:07 PM