S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                         1426
                              2015-2016 Regular Sessions
                                   I N  S E N A T E
                                   January 12, 2015
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by  Sen.  RIVERA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
         printed to be committed to the Committee on Commerce, Economic  Devel-
         opment and Small Business
       AN  ACT  to establish the task force on social innovation, entrepreneur-
         ship and enterprise, and providing for  its  duties  and  responsibil-
         ities; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration
         thereof
         THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section 1. (a) A task force on social innovation, entrepreneurship and
    2  enterprise is hereby established to examine, evaluate and make recommen-
    3  dations concerning the means and methods to strengthen the  capacity  of
    4  the state to (i) work cooperatively to create, scale and sustain innova-
    5  tive  social  programs;  (ii)  work  cooperatively  to  support emerging
    6  socially responsible businesses, advance existing  socially  responsible
    7  businesses  and  sustain  innovative  social  programs;  (iii) build the
    8  capacity of not-for-profit entities and governments to pursue  entrepre-
    9  neurial  ventures;  (iv) provide greater opportunities for social enter-
   10  prise ventures; and (v) attract funding to the state for the support  of
   11  such ventures.
   12    (b) In addition, the task force shall have the following duties:
   13    (i)  to  gather information on social innovation, entrepreneurship and
   14  social enterprise;
   15    (ii) to receive and consider reports and testimony  from  individuals,
   16  public  officials,  community-based organizations, not-for-profit organ-
   17  izations, faith-based organizations and other public and  private  enti-
   18  ties relating to how social innovation and entrepreneurship may acceler-
   19  ate  progress  on social issues, work across social sectors, and advance
   20  social and economic development goals;
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD05844-01-5
       S. 1426                             2
    1    (iii) to identify promising strategies that have been  implemented  in
    2  other  communities and states to encourage cross-sector collaboration on
    3  social issues;
    4    (iv) to identify promising strategies to educate and train the public,
    5  not-for-profit organizations, municipalities and businesses on entrepre-
    6  neurial concepts as applied in the social sector;
    7    (v)  to  designate  a suitable organization to facilitate research and
    8  development; and
    9    (vi) to develop a  statewide  comprehensive  strategic  plan  relating
   10  thereto.
   11    S 2. (a) The task force shall be composed of 11 members, as follows:
   12    (i) the commissioner of temporary and disability assistance, or his or
   13  her designee, who shall be the chair of the task force;
   14    (ii)  the  commissioner of children and family services, or his or her
   15  designee; and
   16    (iii) nine members appointed by the governor,  who  shall  be  broadly
   17  representative  of  the  diversity  of  the state, and shall include the
   18  following:
   19    (A) two persons who are officers of not-for-profit  corporations  that
   20  operate at least one social enterprise;
   21    (B)  one  representative  of  a  statewide  or regional not-for-profit
   22  management support organization;
   23    (C) one representative of a university which has an established record
   24  in promoting social entrepreneurship or tracking the economic impact  of
   25  social sector issues;
   26    (D)  two  representatives  of  private  sector  businesses that have a
   27  strong commitment to their communities and have a record  of  supporting
   28  social entrepreneurship;
   29    (E)  one  representative  of  a charitable organization with an estab-
   30  lished record of funding social entrepreneurs; and
   31    (F) two persons having such experience and expertise as would be valu-
   32  able to the task force.
   33    (b) The task force shall convene at such times and places as the chair
   34  shall determine. Vacancies in the membership of the task force shall  be
   35  filled  in  the  manner  provided  for  the original appointment of such
   36  member.
   37    S 3. The task force may meet within and without the state, shall  hold
   38  public hearings and shall have all the powers of a legislative committee
   39  pursuant to the legislative law.
   40    S  4.  The members of the task force shall receive no compensation for
   41  their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
   42  incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to this act.
   43    S 5. To the maximum extent feasible, the task force shall be  entitled
   44  to request and receive, and shall utilize such facilities, resources and
   45  data  of  any  court, department, division, board, bureau, commission or
   46  agency of the state or any  political  subdivision  thereof  as  it  may
   47  reasonably request.
   48    S  6.  The  provisions  of articles 6 and 7 of the public officers law
   49  shall apply to all records, meetings and proceedings of the task force.
   50    S 7. The task force shall make reports to the governor,  the  legisla-
   51  ture  and  the  public,  within  6  months, 1 year and 2 years after the
   52  effective date of this act, of its findings, conclusions and recommenda-
   53  tions, and shall submit with its reports such legislative and regulatory
   54  proposals as it deems necessary to implement its recommendations.
   55    S 8. This act shall take effect immediately and shall  expire  and  be
   56  deemed repealed 2 years after such date.