Proposes an amendment to the constitution to require every bill introduced in either house of the legislature shall be accompanied by sponsors' memoranda of support of legislation; describes the contents of such memoranda of support; requires when a bill is amended that the accompanying memorandum of support shall be amended.
STATE OF NEW YORK
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654
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY(Prefiled)
January 7, 2009
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Introduced by M. of A. KAVANAGH -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Governmental Operations
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY
proposing amendments to sections 9 and 12 of article 3 of the constitu-
tion, in relation to requiring every bill to be accompanied by spon-
sors' memoranda of support of legislation
1 Section 1. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That section 9 of article
2 3 of the constitution be amended to read as follows:
3 § 9. A majority of each house shall constitute a quorum to do busi-
4 ness. [Each] Notwithstanding the provisions of this article, each house
5 shall determine the rules of its own proceedings, and be the judge of
6 the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members; shall
7 choose its own officers; and the senate shall choose a temporary presi-
8 dent and the assembly shall choose a speaker.
9 § 2. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That section 12 of article 3 of
10 the constitution be amended to read as follows:
11 § 12. Any bill may originate in either house of the legislature, and
12 all bills passed by one house may be amended by the other.
13 Every bill introduced in either house of the legislature shall be
14 accompanied by an introducer's memorandum, which shall contain a state-
15 ment of the purposes and intent of the bill, how the bill would alter
16 current law, an explanation of each section of the bill, and the legis-
17 lative history of the bill, including prior floor and committee votes.
18 If such member deems it appropriate, such memorandum may set forth such
19 other statements that such member feels necessary including, but not
20 limited to, statements relating to economic impact, environmental impact
21 or the impact on the judicial system of the bill. A legislative commit-
22 tee, where it deems necessary, may require that the introducer's memo-
23 randum be amended to include such appropriate statements. When a bill is
24 amended, the sponsor shall amend the sponsor's memorandum.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89014-01-9
A. 654 2
1 § 3. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing amendments be
2 referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the
3 next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in
4 conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be
5 published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
