What's happening
This bill imposes a twelve-year term limit on members of the New York State Assembly and Senate.
Why it matters
Encourages legislative turnover and fresh perspectives. By capping service at twelve years per chamber, the bill aims to prevent career politicians from dominating seats and encourages new voices and ideas in the legislature.
Could alter power dynamics and reduce entrenched influence. Long-serving lawmakers often accrue significant influence and control over policy and decision-making; term limits may disrupt established hierarchies and limit the consolidation of power.
May impact institutional memory and expertise. While promoting renewal, term limits could also lead to a loss of experienced legislators who understand complex issues and legislative processes, potentially increasing reliance on lobbyists or unelected staff.
Affects both chambers independently. The limit applies separately to the Senate and Assembly, meaning a lawmaker could serve up to 24 years in total if elected to both chambers at different times, which might influence career planning for politicians.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Limit Lawmakers’ Time Served
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Held for consideration in governmental operations
- 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.
Limit Lawmakers’ Terms
In Senate Committee · Investigations And Government Operations · Sponsor George Amedore
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4219
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 1, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. JOHNS -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the legislative law, in relation to imposing term limits for members of the assembly and senate of the state of New York
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The legislative law is amended by adding a new section 2-a to read as follows:
§ 2-a. Legislative term limits. Members of the legislature shall not serve more than six two-year terms in either the senate or the assembly. In no event may a legislator serve more than twelve years in either the senate or assembly.
§ 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2020.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03786-01-7
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.