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E37Assembly2019-2020 SessionResolution

Allow Late-Night Assembly Sessions

Official title

“Provides that the Assembly may remain in session between the hours of 12am and 6am upon a vote of two-thirds of all members”

Sponsor Brian KolbAD-131
Status
Lost
Impact
3/10
Low
Passage
0%

What's happening

This resolution amends Assembly rules to require a two-thirds vote, instead of a majority, to hold late or extended sessions.

Why it matters

  1. Raises the threshold for after-hours sessions. By requiring a two-thirds vote (instead of a simple majority) to hold sessions late at night or for extended hours, the amendment makes it harder for the Assembly to bypass normal operating hours, potentially reducing rushed or last-minute legislative action.

  2. Increases minority party influence. Since a two-thirds vote requires broader consensus, the minority party (or dissenting members) gain more leverage to prevent late-night sessions that could otherwise be used to push through controversial or complex measures with minimal public scrutiny.

  3. Promotes transparency and deliberation. The change may encourage more legislative business to occur during regular hours when the public and media can more easily follow proceedings, supporting accountability and open government.

  4. Could affect legislative efficiency. While intended to curb hasty decisions, the higher vote requirement might make it more difficult to respond quickly to urgent issues or emergencies that arise outside normal hours, potentially slowing down the legislative process in critical moments.

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Headline styles

Allow Late-Night Assembly Sessions

Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.

Sponsors

Primary sponsor
Brian Kolb

Assembly Member · Assembly District 131

No co-sponsors yet.

History

  1. Lost
  2. Introduced

Full text

1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗

Assembly Resolution No. 37 BY: M. of A. Kolb AMENDING section 2 of Rule II of the Assembly rules, in relation to hours in session RESOLVED, That section 2 of Rule II of the Assembly rules is amended to read as follows: § 2. Hours in session. The House shall… Show all

Assembly Resolution No. 37 BY: M. of A. Kolb AMENDING section 2 of Rule II of the Assembly rules, in relation to hours in session RESOLVED, That section 2 of Rule II of the Assembly rules is amended to read as follows: § 2. Hours in session. The House shall convene at 2:00 P.M. on Monday and 11:00 A.M. on other days unless otherwise ordered. No session shall extend beyond eight hours nor shall it occur between 10:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M. provided, however, the House may remain in session to complete action on a measure or measures being debated or to take action on a measure or measures if a message of necessity has been received from the governor in connection with such measure or measures or upon a [majority] vote of two-thirds of all of the members elected to the Assembly. For the purposes of this section, the passage of time shall be observed in accordance with section fifty-two of the general construction law and shall not include time that the House is in recess or standing at ease.

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.