ALBANY - The Legislature has given final approval to a bill that could quickly put information about state government in the hands of New Yorkers.

The Senate on Tuesday passed the proposal to strengthen Freedom of Information and Open Meetings Laws by giving the public advance access to some documents subject to public information laws. The Assembly passed a version of the bill last month.

State government would be required to make all public records that fall under FOIL to be made available at least 72 hours before any open meeting where they may be discussed.

“This is information that the residents of this state have a right to see and New York state has an obligation to make getting it convenient as possible,” said Sen. John Flanagan, a Republican from Suffolk County.

A separate measure passed in the Senate would require agencies to keep in mind the need to conveniently retrieve documents when designing state information systems. A similar measure is moving smoothly through the Assembly.

Both chambers had previously passed the measure, but former Gov. George Pataki vetoed it.

The Assembly also passed a separate series of bills supporting open government that have been sent to the Senate.

One would require that public meeting notices be posted on the Web site for the agency holding the meeting. Another would allow the public meetings to be recorded, as long as it doesn't disrupt the proceedings.

The Assembly also passed legislation that would reimburse the legal fees for anyone who successfully challenged an open meetings law violation.