What's happening
This bill proposes to lengthen legislative terms and implement term limits for New York State senators and assembly members.
Why it matters
Longer legislative terms could impact accountability and policy stability. By increasing New York State Senate terms from 2 to 6 years and Assembly terms from 2 to 4 years, elected officials may face voters less frequently, potentially allowing for more long-term policy planning but also reducing opportunities for constituents to hold them accountable through elections.
Term limits may reshape legislative experience and turnover. The introduction of term limits (capping service at 18 consecutive years for senators and 16 consecutive years for assembly members) could lead to more frequent turnover, bringing in new voices and perspectives but also potentially reducing institutional memory and legislative expertise over time.
Breaks allow for return after term limits. The proposal permits legislators to serve additional terms after sitting out for a full term, which means long-serving politicians could return after a hiatus, potentially preserving some experience while still curbing uninterrupted, extended tenures.
Changes only apply to future terms. These amendments would only affect terms that begin after the measure is adopted, meaning current legislators’ existing terms and past service wouldn’t count toward the new term limits, potentially delaying the full impact of these reforms.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Limit Lawmakers’ Terms, Extend Length
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to judiciary
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to judiciary
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3125
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 19, 2017
Introduced by Sens. PARKER, AVELLA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to section 2 of article 3 of the constitution, in relation to increasing the terms of office of members of the legislature and limiting the terms of office as a member of the legislature any person may serve
Section 1. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That section 2 of article 3 of the constitution be amended to read as follows:
§ 2. The senate shall consist of fifty members, except as hereinafter provided. The senators [elected in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-five shall hold their offices for three years, and their successors] shall be [chosen] elected for terms of two years; provided, that senators elected in the year two thousand sixteen and in subsequent years shall hold their offices for six years. The assembly shall consist of one hundred and fifty members. The assembly members [elected in the year one thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, and their successors,] shall be [chosen] elected for terms of two years; provided, that assembly members elected in the year two thousand sixteen and in subsequent years shall hold their offices for four years.
No person shall serve as a senator for more than three consecutive six year terms, provided that any senator who leaves his or her service as a senator for at least one term, shall be eligible to serve an additional three consecutive six year terms.
No person shall serve as a member of the assembly for more than four consecutive four year terms, provided that any member of the assembly who leaves his or her office for at least one term, shall be eligible to serve an additional four consecutive four year terms.
§ 2. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That the provisions of the foregoing amendments shall apply only to terms of offices commencing after such amendments shall have been adopted pursuant to section 1 of article 19 of the constitution.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89067-01-7
S. 3125 2
§ 3. 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 three months previous to the time of such election.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to section 2 of article 3 of the constitution, in relation to increasing the terms of office of members of the legislature and limiting the terms of office as a member of the legislature any person may serve
Purpose
This legislation aims to expand and limit legislative terms in an attempt to reform government. The 16 consecutive years provided by this amendment for Assembly members and the 18 consecutive years provided by this amendment for Senators would allow elected-officials to accrue seniority, but then deprives them of the incumbent's position for at least one term, so that the voters might choose new representation in comparison.
Summary of provisions
This legislation would amend section 2 of article 3 of the constitution in relation to increasing the terms of office. of Assembly members of the legislature to four years, and the terms of office of Senators to six years, and limiting the consecutive terms of office a Senator may serve to three, and an Assembly member to four.
Justification
New York's democracy embodies a tension between the need for legislators to learn the nature and procedure of their position, and the desire of the voters for new ideas to filter into government through a exchange of incumbents and new legislators. In addition, the two-year legislative terms for which the Constitution presently provides are not efficient, as members must constantly campaign, and a significant portion of their time is diverted from legislative activity.
An expanded term of office would allow lawmakers to concentrate more fully on legislative activity and on the honing and advocacy of policy. Adopting staggered terms for the upper and lower legislative houses would also bolster voter turnout in what were formerly "off-year" election, rather than general election years.
The three consecutive term limit for Senate positions would force a turnover of fresh ideas and members within the upper house, as would the four consecutive term limit for Assembly seats.
The rationale behind limiting the amount of terms, is that eighteen and sixteen years are, respectively, sufficient time to advocate for such legislation that is of particular importance to an elected official before allowing a new member a potentially similar amount of time to pursue his or her political agenda. It is theorized that such turnover of new ideas might best serve the constituents of each district. This constant churning of the legislature would allow the issues and voices of more New Yorkers to be heard, as well as trigger a sense of urgency to enact important policy concerns into law.
Prior legislative history
2015-16: S.1752A - Opinion Referred to Judiciary 2013-14: S.2828 - Attorney General opinion received; died in Judiciary 2011-12: S.2891 Attorney General opinion received; died in Judiciary A similar bill (A.4145 and S.21 of 2009-2010) has the following history in the Assembly. A.4145 (2009-2010) - Referred to Attorney General; Re-Referred to Judiciary. S.21 (2009-2010) - Referred to Attorney General; Re-Referred to Judiciary A.7594 (2007-2008) - Referred to Attorney General; Re-Referred to Judiciary.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
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.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.