What's happening
This bill requires the governor's annual State of the State message to be delivered orally in the Assembly Chamber during the first week of the legislative session with both Assembly and Senate quorums present.
Why it matters
In-person delivery with both legislative chambers present increases transparency and public accountability. the governor must address both the Assembly and Senate together, ensuring that all lawmakers and the public hear the same message at the same time.
Requires greater coordination and ceremony at the start of the legislative session. , potentially elevating the importance and visibility of the State of the State address, and fostering a sense of shared responsibility among lawmakers.
Prevents the governor from delivering the message in writing or in a less formal setting. , which could have limited scrutiny or engagement; this amendment ensures a more participatory and visible process.
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Who cares
Governor’s office
The proposed constitutional amendment would require the governor to deliver the state-of-the-state message orally in the Assembly Chamber during the first week of the legislative session.
Assembly members
The proposal would require a quorum of the Assembly to be present for the governor’s message in their chamber.
State senators
The proposal would require a quorum of the Senate to attend the governor’s message in the Assembly Chamber.
Headline styles
Set Governor Speech Procedure
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to judiciary
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to judiciary
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.
Standardize Governor's Annual Address
In Assembly Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Phil Steck
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
552
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sens. TEDISCO, COMRIE -- 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 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 Assembly 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 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.
LBD89033-01-9
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 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
Purpose
This legislation would require that the Governor's annual State of the State address be delivered orally in the Assembly Chamber, during the first week of session, with a quorum of the Senate and the Assembly present.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 requires that the Governor's annual State of the State address be delivered orally in the Assembly Chamber, during the first week of session, with a quorum of the Senate and the Assembly present.
Section 2 provides for the effective date.
Justification
Our public officials have a responsibility to ensure that any process undertaken using taxpayer dollars is evident, open and transparent. This openness sends a message to taxpayers that their government is continuing to operate in the interest of the people it serves. For exam- ple, the federal State of the Union is held annually, in the House of Representatives, in the same format, and the information being relayed is easily discernable by the entire Country at the same time. As the peoples' representatives, we should be a primary conduit between the Chief Executive recommendations and the citizens.
The NY State Constitution envisioned lawmakers as the target audience for an annual message from the Governor on the overall well-being of the State. Prior to 1923 when Governor Alfred E Smith used this authority to create a State of the State address, governors traditionally delivered a written message to the Legislature. Yet, Article 4, Section 3 requires that the Governor "communicate by message to the Legislature at each Session the condition of the state, and recommend such matters to it as he or she shall judge expedient". This leaves too much room for gover- nors to inconsistently change the venue and method by which the message is delivered, lessening the opportunity for citizens to remain aware of the overall well-being of their home State.
The Assembly Chamber, having served as the venue for the State of the State address for most of the time since Governor Smith's address, is adequately equipped and recognizable by our citizens as the location for the event, and has served to keep our citizens informed our Legislators working together.
Legislative history
01/10/17 S.1639 Referred to Judiciary 01/13/17 S.1639 To Attorney - General for Opinion 02/10/17 S.1639 Opinion Referred to Judiciary 01/03/18 S.1639 Referred to Judiciary 01/12/18 S.1639 To Attrney - General for Opinion 02/15/18 S.1639 Referred to Judiciary
Fiscal implications
None.
Local fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Resolved (if the HOUSE concurs), 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.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.