What's happening
This bill increases the number of New York Supreme Court justices in the second judicial district from 49 to 52 and in the thirteenth district from 4 to 10.
Why it matters
Addresses growing caseloads. By increasing the number of Supreme Court justices in both the second and thirteenth judicial districts, the bill aims to alleviate delays and improve the efficiency of the court system, which can benefit both litigants and the public.
Enhances judicial representation in Staten Island. The significant jump in the thirteenth district (Staten Island) from 4 to 10 justices reflects recognition of population growth or increased legal needs in that area, potentially leading to more localized and responsive judicial service.
Phased implementation to ensure continuity. The staggered election and appointment timeline (with new justices taking office in 2021, 2022, and 2023) is designed to minimize disruption and ensure a stable transition as the judiciary expands, maintaining continuity for ongoing cases.
Potential for broader access to justice. More justices can mean shorter wait times for hearings and decisions, which not only benefits those directly involved in litigation but also helps uphold the principle of timely justice for all residents in the affected districts.
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History
- Referred to judiciary
- Referred to judiciary
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1755
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 16, 2019
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the judiciary law, in relation to the number of justices of the supreme court in the second and thirteenth judicial districts
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivisions 2 and 13 of section 140-a of the judiciary law, subdivision 2 as amended by chapter 690 of the laws of 2007 and subdivision 13 as amended by section 7 of part XX of chapter 59 of the laws of 2018, are amended to read as follows:
2. Second district, [forty-nine] fifty-two;
13. Thirteenth district, [four] ten.
§ 2. Justice Thomas P. Aliotta, and his successor in office on the effective date of this act shall for the remainder of the term for which he or she was elected or appointed be a justice of the supreme court in and for the thirteenth judicial district.
§ 3. Two of the additional justices of the supreme court in the thirteenth judicial district and two additional justices of the supreme court in the second judicial district provided for by section one of this act shall first be elected at the general election to be held in November 2020 and shall first take office January 1, 2021. Another three of the additional justices of the supreme court in the thirteenth judicial district and the other justice of the supreme court in the second judicial district provided for by section one of this act shall first be elected at the general election to be held in November 2020 and shall first take office January 1, 2022. The remaining additional justice of the supreme court in the thirteenth judicial district provided for by section one of this act shall first be elected at the general election to be held in November 2022 and shall first take office January 1, 2023.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07377-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the judiciary law, in relation to the number of justices of the supreme court in the second and thirteenth judicial districts
Purpose
To increase the number of Justices in the 13th Judicial District to ten and to increase the number of Justices in the 2nd Judicial District to fifty-two.
Summary of provisions
Section one amends subdivision 2 and 13 of section 140-a of the Judici- ary Law as added by Chapter 690 of the Laws of 2007 to increase the number of Justices in the 13th Judicial District to ten and to increase the number of Justices in the 2nd Judicial District to fifty-two.
Section two allows Justice Thomas P. Aliotta, and his successor in office on the effective date of this act shall for the remainder of the term for which he or she was elected or appointed to be a justice of the Supreme Court in and for the 13th Judicial District.
Section three requires 2 additional justices of the Supreme Court in the 13th District and 2 additional Justices in the 2nd Judicial District provided for in section one of this act shall first be elected at the general election in held in November 2018 and shall first take office January 1, 2019. Another 3 additional Justices of the Supreme Court in the 13th District and two Justices of the Supreme Court in the 2nd District provided for in Section one of this act shall first be elected at the general election in held in November 2019 and shall first take office January 1, 2020. The remaining Justice for the 13th District shall first be elected at the general election in held in November 2020 and shall first take office January 1, 2021.
Section four is an immediate effective date.
Justification
On December 5, 2007, the Governor signed legislation, Chapter 690 of the Laws of 2007 creating the 13th Judicial District. Under this law, Staten Island (Richmond County) was allowed to have to have three Supreme Court Justices. Under the State Constitution, a Supreme Court District must have one Justice for every 50,000 residents. Based on the most recent U.S. Census data, Staten Island is allowed 10 Justices. By increasing the number of Justices authorized by the New York Constitution, Staten Island should receive more judges to handle ever-heavier caseloads. This bill is the final step in the process to give Staten island the required 10 Justice positions for the 13th Judicial District. The bill will also authorize four Supreme Court Justices to the 2nd Judicial District.
Legislative history
2018: S.6201-A - Passed Senate / A.8144-A - Referred to Judiciary
2017: S.6201 - Passed Senate / A.8144 - Referred to Judiciary 2016:S.4657-A- Passed Senate / A.8293-A - Held in Judiciary
2015:S.4657-Passed Senate / A.8293- Referred to Judiciary
2014:S.2478-A- Referred to Judiciary/ A.4962-A - Referred to Judiciary
2013:S.4225 -Referred to Judiciary / A.4962 - Referred to Judiciary
2012:S.4225-Passed Senate / A.7481- Referred to Judiciary
2011:S.7481-Passed Senate / A.7481- Referred to Judiciary
2010:S.615-Referred to Judiciary /A.4049 - Referred to Judiciary
2009:S.615-Referred to Judiciary /A.4049 - Referred to Judiciary
2008:S.6754-Passed Senate / A.11142- Referred to Judiciary
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
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