What's happening
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New York State Senate and Assembly terms from two to four years starting in 2022.
Why it matters
Longer legislative terms could increase continuity and stability in state government. , allowing senators and assembly members more time to develop expertise, build relationships, and focus on long-term policy solutions rather than frequent campaigning.
Reducing election frequency may lower campaign and administrative costs. for both the state and candidates, potentially freeing up resources for other priorities and reducing the influence of constant fundraising pressures.
Voters would have less frequent opportunities to hold legislators accountable at the ballot box. , which could be viewed as reducing democratic responsiveness, but might also shield lawmakers from short-term political pressures and encourage more thoughtful lawmaking.
Aligning term lengths with those of other states or federal offices could make legislative service more attractive. to potential candidates, possibly improving the talent pool and encouraging experienced professionals to seek office.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Legislator Terms Now Four Years
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Held for consideration in governmental operations
- 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
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4433
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 4, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. BRABENEC -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
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 to four years
Section 1. Resolved (if the Senate 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 twenty-two and in subsequent years shall hold their offices for four 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 twenty-two and in subsequent years shall hold their offices for four years.
§ 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.
LBD89091-02-9
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.