What's happening
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the governor to appoint a new lieutenant governor, confirmed by the legislature, within 30 days of a vacancy.
Why it matters
Creates a clear and time-limited process for filling the lieutenant governor’s office. , ensuring there is minimal disruption to state executive leadership in the event of a vacancy. This can help maintain government continuity during political or personal transitions.
Requires legislative confirmation of the governor's appointee. , adding a layer of checks and balances. This means the appointee must have support from both chambers, potentially increasing legitimacy and reducing the risk of partisan or controversial selections.
Specifies a 30-day deadline for both appointment and confirmation. , which could prevent prolonged vacancies and associated uncertainty, especially if the governor is incapacitated or leaves office, since the lieutenant governor is next in the line of succession.
Addresses a gap in the state constitution regarding unexpected vacancies. , providing clarity and a standardized method for succession, which may be especially important in times of political instability or crisis.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Governor Picks New Lieutenant
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to judiciary
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to judiciary
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2015
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 18, 2019
Introduced by Sens. GRIFFO, RANZENHOFER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to article 4 of the constitution, in relation to the filling of vacancies in the office of lieutenant-governor
Section 1. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That section 6 of article 4 of the constitution be amended by adding a new fourth undesignated paragraph to read as follows:
In case of vacancy in the office of lieutenant-governor alone, due to death, resignation, removal from office, or ascension to governor, the office of lieutenant-governor shall be filled for the remainder of the term by appointment of the governor within thirty days of such vacancy, death, resignation, removal from office, or ascension, subject to confirmation by a majority vote in the senate and a majority vote in the assembly to be held within thirty days of such appointment.
§ 2. Resolved (if the Assembly 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.
LBD89073-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to article 4 of the constitution, in relation to the filling of vacan- cies in the office of lieutenant-governor
Purpose
Provides a method of filling vacancies in the office of the Lieutenant- Governor.
Summary of provisions
This bill would provide that in the case of a vacancy in the office of Lieutenant-Governor alone, the Governor shall nominate a new Lieuten- ant-Governor within 30 days of the vacancy, subject to confirmation by majority votes of both Houses of the Legislature independently. Such confirmation votes shall be held by each House within 30 days of the Governor's nomination.
Justification
A few years ago, a vacancy in the office of Lieutenant-Governor called attention to the fact that under current law, there is no method avail- able to appoint a new Lieutenant-Governor. This bill would enact a system identical to the one used under the Federal Constitution to fill a vacancy in the office of the Vice-President. Requiring separate votes from each House of the Legislature, rather than a single vote in joint session, ensures that no single House has enough votes to confirm the nomination by itself.
Legislative history
2013-14 - S. 2234/A. 2713 - Judiciary Committee. 2015-2016 - S. 2726/A. 5496 -Judiciary Committee. 2017-18 - S. 1233/A. 2049 - Judiciary/Governmental Operations Committee.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Upon passage of two separately elected Legislatures and approval by the voters after such passage.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.