What's happening
This bill prohibits increasing New York state legislators' salaries or allowances between Election Day and December 31 in election years.
Why it matters
Prevents “lame-duck” salary increases. By prohibiting salary or allowance hikes for legislators between Election Day and the end of the year, the bill closes a window when outgoing or re-elected legislators could otherwise pass pay raises without immediate electoral consequences.
Strengthens public trust. This restriction aims to deter the perception or reality of self-serving behavior among legislators, reinforcing that pay decisions shouldn’t be made after election results are known but before new terms begin.
Ensures accountability. Legislators considering salary or allowance increases must do so during periods when they remain fully accountable to their constituents, not during a transition phase when they may be less responsive to public opinion.
Albany, before your first meeting.
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Who cares
State senators and Assembly members
The bill would bar laws increasing their salaries or allowances from general election day through December 31, inclusive, in years when legislators are elected.
Legislative leaders and staff
They would need to schedule legislation raising members’ salaries or allowances outside the prohibited election-year window.
Governor’s office
The bill would prevent enactment of legislative salary or allowance increases during the specified post-election period.
Headline styles
Block Lame Duck Pay Raises
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Referred to investigations and government operations
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4431
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 14, 2017
Introduced by Sen. TEDISCO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations
AN ACT to amend the legislative law, in relation to limiting passage of laws increasing salaries and allowances of members of the state legislature
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 5 of the legislative law is amended by adding a new subdivision 4 to read as follows:
4. The salary of a member of the legislature shall not be increased by a law enacted between the general election day and December thirtyfirst, both such days inclusive, in any year in which members are elected to the legislature.
§ 2. Section 5-a of the legislative law is amended by adding a new subdivision 1-a to read as follows:
1-a. The allowance of a member of either house of the legislature shall not be increased by a law enacted between the general election day and December thirty-first, both such days inclusive, in any year in which members are elected to the legislature.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06354-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the legislative law, in relation to limiting passage of laws increasing salaries and allowances of members of the state legislature
Purpose or general idea of bill
Prohibits members of the NYS Legislature from voting on increases of their salary and allowances during "Lame Duck" sessions.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 5 of the Legislative Law, as amended by chapter 263 of the laws of 1987, is amended by adding subsection 4. The salary of a member of the Legislature shall not be increased between the general election day and. December thirty-first, in election years. Section 5-a is amended by adding a new subdivision 1-a to read as follows:The allowance of a member of the Legislature shall not be increased between the general election day and December thirty-first, in election years.
Effects of present law that this bill would alter
Currently, legislators can vote to increase their salary and allowances during "Lame Duck" sessions. This legislation will prohibit this voting practice.
Justification
In the past, legislators have returned to Albany, between Election Day and December thirty-first, to vote themselves a salary increase. The voters of this State have the right to know where their legislators stand on the issue of voting themselves salary increases.
Prior legislative history
New Bill
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.