What's happening
This bill limits how long someone can serve as a department head without Senate approval in New York State.
Why it matters
Increases accountability of department heads. By limiting how long someone can temporarily serve as a department head without Senate approval, the bill ensures these powerful positions are filled by individuals vetted and confirmed by elected representatives, rather than remaining under executive appointment alone.
Prevents indefinite 'acting' appointments. The bill addresses a common workaround where governors or executives let individuals serve in top roles without legislative confirmation for extended periods, which can undermine legislative oversight.
Sets clear timelines for confirmation. By specifying 90 days during session and 30 days after the session resumes, the bill creates a predictable, enforceable process that encourages timely nominations and Senate action.
Limits repeat use of temporary appointments. The provision that a person can only serve once as a department head without Senate consent prevents repeated circumvention of the confirmation process, further strengthening checks and balances.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Limit Temporary Department Heads
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
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.
Limit Temporary Department Heads
In Senate Committee · Investigations And Government Operations · Sponsor Joseph A. Griffo
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2175
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 22, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ORTIZ -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the public officers law, in relation to the temporary appointment of heads of departments without the advice and consent of the senate
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public officers law is amended by adding a new section 33-b to read as follows:
§ 33-b. Appointment of heads of departments without the advice and consent of the senate. 1. No person shall serve as the head of a department for more than ninety days without the advice and consent of the senate when the legislature is in session.
2. When a vacancy occurs when the legislature is not in session, no person shall serve as the head of a department without the advice and consent of the senate for longer than thirty calendar days of the next succeeding legislative session.
3. A person may only serve as the head of a department without the advice and consent of the senate once, regardless of the amount of time such person served as the head of a department.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05849-01-9
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.