What's happening
This bill amends the New York Constitution to extend legislative terms to four years and imposes a three-term limit for senators and assembly members.
Why it matters
Longer terms could change legislative dynamics. By extending terms from two to four years, legislators may be less focused on constant campaigning and more able to pursue longer-term policy goals, but this could also reduce the frequency at which voters can hold them accountable.
New limits on political careers in Albany. The three-term (12-year) cap for both senators and assembly members is intended to prevent entrenched incumbency, potentially opening up more opportunities for new candidates and fresh perspectives in state government.
Exemptions for partial terms. The bill clarifies that partial terms served prior to a full four-year term do not count toward the term limit, ensuring that legislators who fill vacancies aren’t penalized and can still serve three full terms afterward.
Major change in legislative experience and continuity. Over time, these changes could lead to higher legislative turnover, which may impact institutional memory, expertise, and the power dynamics between lawmakers and other state actors (like the governor or lobbyists).
Albany, before your first meeting.
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Who cares
State senators and Assembly members
The proposed constitutional amendment would give members elected in 2020 and later four-year terms instead of two-year terms and limit them to three consecutive four-year terms in each chamber.
Candidates for the Legislature
A partial legislative term served before election to a consecutive four-year term would not count toward the proposed term limits.
Voters in Senate and Assembly districts
The proposal would shift legislative elections from two-year to four-year terms and cap consecutive service in each chamber.
Headline styles
Legislature Term Limits, Longer Terms
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
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
618
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sens. BOYLE, SERINO -- 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 2 of article 3 of the constitution, in relation to increasing the length of the term of office and imposing term limits for members of the legislature
Section 1. Resolved (if the Assembly 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 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 and in subsequent years shall hold their offices for four years.
No person elected to office in the senate in the year two thousand twenty and in subsequent years shall serve as a member of the senate for more than three consecutive four year terms. No person elected to office in the assembly in the year two thousand twenty and in subsequent years shall serve as a member of the assembly for more than three consecutive four year terms. Any partial term of office held as a member of the legislature prior to the election to a consecutive four year term shall not be used to calculate any term limitation imposed pursuant to this paragraph.
§ 2. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That the foregoing amendments 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 three months previous to the time of such election.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89047-01-9
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 2 of article 3 of the constitution, in relation to increasing the length of the term of office and imposing term limits for members of the legislature
Purpose or general idea of bill
This legislation would increase the length of term of office for members of the legislature from two years to four years and would limit members of the legislature from serving more than three consecutive four year terms.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 2 Article 3 of the constitution is amended to increase the length of term of office for members of the legislature from two years to four years and would limit members of the legislature from serving more than three consecutive four year terms.
Section 2 states that the foregoing amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly and be published three months previous to the time of such election.
Justification
In the past few months there have been arrests and inquiries into several public elected officials. Accordingly New York State needs to undergo drastic election reform to prevent the repetition of such events. This legislation would increase the length of the term of office from four years to two years. Such a term increase would allow legisla- tors to focus more intently on serving the needs of constituents rather than the up- coming election cycle. The second section of this legis- lation would limit the terms of members of the legislators to three consecutive four year terms (to twelve years total). A limit such as this one would benefit the legislature by preventing members from becom- ing "career politicians" - members who serve in the legislature endless- ly and who may become out of touch with their constituents by promoting policies beneficial to their tenure in off ice rather than constituent needs and desires. An overall term limit would also decrease the empha- sis on elections for members of the legislature by maintaining a set number of allowed years, and therefore upcoming elections, to be served.
Prior legislative history
01/04/17 REFERRED TO JUDICIARY 01/13/17 TO ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR OPINION 02/10/17 OPINION REFERRED TO JUDICIARY 01/03/18 REFERRED TO JUDICIARY 01/12/18 TO ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR OPINION 02/15/18 OPINION REFERRED TO JUDICIARY
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.