What's happening
This bill creates a commission to study and report on making Nassau and Suffolk counties the state of Long Island, with a non-binding referendum for voters.
Why it matters
Examines Potential Fiscal and Political Impact. The commission will analyze whether creating a new state could address longstanding concerns about tax contributions versus state aid, local control, and political representation for Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Local Leadership and Community Involvement. The commission is designed to include equal representation from both counties and their political leadership, ensuring local interests and bipartisan perspectives are incorporated in the study.
Public Engagement Through Referendum. Although the referendum would be non-binding, it provides Long Island residents an official platform to express their views on statehood, potentially influencing future legislative or policy actions.
Sets a Precedent for Regional Autonomy. By formally studying and voting on the idea of statehood, the bill could inspire other regions with similar grievances to seek greater autonomy or changes in their relationship with state government.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Study Long Island Statehood
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental operations
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Study Long Island Statehood
In Senate Committee · Local Government · Sponsor Kenneth P. LaValle
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 3175 A. 2398
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
January 20, 2017
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE, GARBARINO, PALUMBO, SALA- DINO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT in relation to establishing a bi-county commission in the counties of Nassau and Suffolk to study the feasibility of establishing the state of Long Island
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative findings: Nassau and Suffolk counties comprise an area of 2,826 square miles, larger than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware. The combined population of the two counties is 2.832 million which is greater than the population of 17 states. For the years 2002-2004, Long Island paid 8.124 billion dollars in state taxes yet only 5.2 billion dollars was returned in direct local aid, tuition assistance, highway aid, pension payments, lottery money, metropolitan transportation authority subsidies and Medicaid payments. For many years the question of forming the state of Long Island has been discussed in public and academic forums. The issue should be investigated, a report prepared and referendum held in Nassau and Suffolk counties so the citizens may be heard.
§ 2. There is hereby established a Nassau and Suffolk bi-county commission to study the feasibility of forming the state of Long Island to consist of the counties of Nassau and Suffolk. Such commission shall be comprised of 24 members, 12 of whom shall reside in the county of Nassau and 12 of whom shall reside in the county of Suffolk. The county executive of each county shall serve on the commission as co-chairs. Of the remaining 22 members, 5 members from each county shall be appointed
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04090-01-7
S. 3175 2 A. 2398
by the county executive of the county in which such county executive serves; 3 members from each county shall be appointed by the majority leader of the county legislature from the county in which such majority leader serves, and 3 members from each county shall be appointed by the minority leader of the county legislature from the county in which such minority leader serves. Members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Members of the commission shall serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority. Vacancies on the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
§ 3. The study authorized by section two of this act shall be completed and submitted to the Nassau county legislature and the Suffolk county legislature on or before July 1, 2019.
§ 4. At the general election to be held November 5, 2019, the county of Nassau and the county of Suffolk shall be submitted to the voters of such counties, a referendum concerning whether or not the state of Long Island shall be formed. Such referendum shall be deemed approved if it is approved by a majority of the voters voting on such referendum in each county, provided however that the approval of such referendum shall not be binding upon the county of Nassau or the county of Suffolk.
§ 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.