Outline of New York State & the NYS Assembly Seal

New York State Assembly

Speaker Carl E. Heastie

Rules of the Assembly

Rule VI -- Organization of the House



Section 1. Opening Day. Pursuant to section four of Article XIII of the Constitution, the Assembly shall convene on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January at 12:00 noon in the Assembly Chamber, except that during a period of declared state or national state of temporary emergency the Assembly may convene in accordance with any emergency procedures employed by the prior Assembly.

§ 2. First Year Procedure.
  1. In every odd-numbered year, the Clerk of the Assembly during the prior year shall convene the Assembly as Acting Clerk thereof, unless otherwise provided by the Members of Assembly present.
  2. A member of the clergy shall offer prayer.
  3. The Acting Clerk of the Assembly or designee thereof shall administer the ceremonial oath of office to the Members of Assembly en banc.
  4. The Acting Clerk of the Assembly or designee thereof shall lead the Members of Assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
  5. The Acting Clerk of the Assembly shall ascertain the presence of a quorum.
  6. Nominations shall be in order for the office of Speaker of the Assembly for a term of two years, and a vote shall be had thereon.
  7. Nominations shall be in order for the office of the Clerk of the Assembly for a term of two years, and a vote shall be had thereon.
  8. Nominations shall be in order for the office of Official Stenographer of the Assembly for a term of two years, and a vote shall be had thereon.
  9. Nominations shall be in order for the office of Sergeant-at-Arms of the Assembly for a term of two years, and a vote shall be had thereon.
§ 3. Minority Leader. The recognized leader of the Minority shall be the Minority Leader of the Assembly for a term of two years.

§ 4. Continuity and Applicability. Sections one and two of this Rule shall continue and apply on the first Wednesday following the first Monday in January following a general election of the Members of Assembly, notwithstanding that the rules of the House have not yet been adopted by the Members of Assembly, unless otherwise provided by the Members of Assembly present.