Provides that the availability of bills in electronic printable format shall constitute a printed bill for purposes of section 14 of article 3 of the constitution

2 Co-sponsors

• Tom Libous
• Lee M. Zeldin

BILL NUMBER:S4140

Title of bill

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to article 3 of the constitution, in relation to the printing of bills

Purpose

The purpose of this bill is to enact a constitutional amendment that would allow all bills sponsored by the Senate and Assembly be made available on the legislators' desk in a digital form.

Summary of provisions

Section 1: Amends section 14 of Article 3 of the New York State Constitution.

Article 3, Section 14: Adds line making all bills available to the Legislature in an electronic printable format.

Section 2: Resolves that the Amendment would follow in conformity with section 1 of Article 19 of the New York State Constitution.

Justification

This amendment, in conjunction with the Legislative Online Digital Paperwork Reduction Act, would establish that all bills in the Senate and Assembly would be presented to these chambers in a digital format.

Currently, the Senate and the Assembly spend hundreds of thousands of dollars printing off sponsored bills, amended bills and budgets. Each desk in these chambers is then riddled with piles of paper; paper that more often than not ends up in the trash.

By changing the constitution to allow the chambers to "go digital" we would save time, money and our environment. Allowing these bills to be in a digital format would allow Senators, Assembly members and staff to print these bills upon request.

Legislative history

New Amendment.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

RESOLVED (if the Assembly concur), That the foregoing amendments be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.