What's happening
This bill requires the governor’s annual State of the State message to be delivered orally in the Assembly Chamber with both the Assembly and Senate present during the first week of legislative session.
Why it matters
Mandates in-person accountability. By requiring the governor to deliver the State of the State address orally before both chambers, the bill increases direct accountability and transparency, making it harder for the governor to avoid legislative scrutiny or public questioning.
Strengthens legislative engagement. The presence of both the Assembly and Senate ensures all state legislators receive the same message simultaneously, which may foster greater collaboration, shared context, and unified legislative priorities at the outset of the session.
Limits executive flexibility. This amendment removes the governor’s discretion over the format, timing, and audience of the annual address, reducing the possibility of remote, written, or selectively attended presentations.
Elevates the formality and visibility of the event. By specifying the Assembly Chamber and requiring quorums, the bill raises the ceremonial status of the address, potentially increasing media attention and public awareness of key policy issues facing the state.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Standardize Governor's Annual Address
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to governmental operations
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- 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.
Set Governor Speech Procedure
In Senate Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor James Tedisco
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
282
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. STECK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to section 3 of article 4 of the constitution, in relation to establishing a procedure for the governor's annual message to the legislature regarding the state of the state
Section 1. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That section 3 of article 4 of the constitution be amended to read as follows:
§ 3. The governor shall be commander-in-chief of the military and naval forces of the state. The governor shall have power to convene the legislature, or the senate only, on extraordinary occasions. At extraordinary sessions convened pursuant to the provisions of this section no subject shall be acted upon, except such as the governor may recommend for consideration. The governor shall communicate by message to the legislature at every session the condition of the state, and recommend such matters to it as he or she shall judge expedient. The message shall be delivered orally in the Assembly Chamber, during the first week of legislative session, with a quorum of the Assembly and a quorum of the Senate present. The governor shall expedite all such measures as may be resolved upon by the legislature, and shall take care that the laws are faithfully executed. The governor shall receive for his or her services an annual salary to be fixed by joint resolution of the senate and assembly, and there shall be provided for his or her use a suitable and furnished executive residence.
§ 2. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing amendment 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.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89033-01-9
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.