Increases the length of the term of office for members of the legislature from two to four years with no member serving more than sixteen years; imposes term limits on the governor, lieutenant-governor, comptroller, and attorney-general.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A10427
SPONSOR: Shrestha 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 for members of the legislature; propos-
ing an amendment to section 1 of article 4 of the constitution, in
relation to term limits for the office of governor and lieutenant-gover-
nor; and proposing an amendment to section 1 of article 5 of the consti-
tution, in relation to term limits for the offices of comptroller and
attorney-general
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation would increase the term of office for members of the
legislature from 2 to 4 years with no member serving more than 16 years.
It would also impose term limits to the governor, lieutenant governor,
attorney general, and comptroller so no person shall be elected to these
offices more than three times.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends section 2 of article 3 of the constitution to limit the
term of office for Senate and Assembly members to 16 years and increases
the length of the term of office for both Senate and Assembly members to
4 years.
Section 2 amends section 1 of article 4 of the constitution, in relation
to term limits for the office of governor and lieutenant governor.
Section 3 amends section 1 of article 5 of the constitution, in relation
to term limits for the offices of comptroller and attorney general.
Section 4 resolves that the 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 State Constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the
time of such election.
JUSTIFICATION:
There is a growing and concerning level of apathy in our democracy,
especially among younger generations who will soon be at the helm of our
democracy. To make our democracy robust, it must be seen as fair,
vibrant, and effective, Currently, two aspects about the terms served by
State legislators are an obstacle to this: first, short 2-year terms
make the prioritization of transformative policies ineffective because
concerns about political attacks and constant fundraising are a major
distraction, Second, there is overwhelming public support for term
limits, and not only would a term limit encourage legislators to focus
on getting specific policies done before their time is up, it would also
encourage younger people to take seriously the prospects of running for
office. It is vital to the security of our future that democracy feels
accessible to those we represent, instead of feeling like a space that
is only available to certain inner circles. Term limits are also more
likely to result in a citizen legislature, where individuals serve for a
period of time before returning to their prior careers or moving on to
another.
By concurrently increasing the legislative term to four years and impos-
ing a 16-year term limit for a legislative seat, this amendment seeks to
increase the quality of elections, and build trust in and effectiveness
of the political process.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2019-2020: A.9119 - Referred to Governmental Operations
2021-2022: A.858 - Referred to Governmental Operations
2023-2024: A.1407 - Referred to Governmental Operations
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This amendment to the State Constitution would be referred to the first
regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general
election of members of the Assembly and Senate. If approved, this amend-
ment would be submitted to voters at the next general election.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
10427
IN ASSEMBLY
March 6, 2026
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SHRESTHA -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Governmental Operations
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 for members of
the legislature; proposing an amendment to section 1 of article 4 of
the constitution, in relation to term limits for the office of gover-
nor and lieutenant-governor; and proposing an amendment to section 1
of article 5 of the constitution, in relation to term limits for the
offices of comptroller and attorney-general
1 Section 1. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That section 2 of article
2 3 of the constitution be amended to read as follows:
3 § 2. The senate shall consist of fifty members, except as hereinafter
4 provided. The senators [elected in the year one thousand eight hundred
5 and ninety-five shall hold their offices for three years, and their
6 successors] shall be [chosen] elected for [two] terms of four years
7 provided, further, no senator shall serve for more than sixteen years.
8 The assembly shall consist of one hundred and fifty members. The assem-
9 bly members [elected in the year one thousand nine hundred and thirty-
10 eight, and their successors,] shall be [chosen] elected for [two] terms
11 of four years; provided, however, no assembly member shall serve for
12 more than sixteen years. Provided, further, any term already served by a
13 sitting senator or assembly member prior to the amendments to this
14 section being approved and ratified by the people and coming into effect
15 shall be excluded from the limits on service set forth by this section.
16 § 2. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That section 1 of article 4 of
17 the constitution be amended to read as follows:
18 Section 1. (a) The executive power shall be vested in the governor,
19 who shall hold office for four years; the lieutenant-governor shall be
20 chosen at the same time, and for the same term. The governor and lieu-
21 tenant-governor shall be chosen at the general election held in the year
22 nineteen hundred thirty-eight, and each fourth year thereafter. They
23 shall be chosen jointly, by the casting by each voter of a single vote
24 applicable to both offices, and the legislature by law shall provide for
25 making such choice in such manner. The respective persons having the
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89125-01-5
A. 10427 2
1 highest number of votes cast jointly for them for governor and lieuten-
2 ant-governor respectively shall be elected.
3 (b) No person shall be elected to the office of the governor more than
4 three times. Provided, however, any term already served by a sitting
5 governor prior to the amendments to this section being approved and
6 ratified by the people and coming into effect shall be excluded from the
7 limits on service set forth by this section. Provided, further, that a
8 person who has been thrice elected to the office of governor and who is
9 in the line of succession to such office, pursuant to section six of
10 this article, shall be passed over in the line of succession and the
11 next person in the line of succession shall act as governor.
12 (c) No person shall be elected to the office of the lieutenant-gover-
13 nor more than three times. Provided, however, any term already served by
14 a sitting lieutenant-governor prior to the amendments to this section
15 being approved and ratified by the people and coming into effect shall
16 be excluded from the limits on service set forth by this section.
17 Provided, further, that a person who has been thrice elected to the
18 office of lieutenant-governor and who is in the line of succession to
19 such office, pursuant to section six of this article, shall be passed
20 over in the line of succession and the next person in the line of
21 succession shall act as lieutenant-governor.
22 § 3. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That section 1 of article 5 of
23 the constitution be amended to read as follows:
24 Section 1. The comptroller and attorney-general shall be chosen at the
25 same general election as the governor and hold office for the same term,
26 and shall possess the qualifications provided in section 2 of article
27 IV. The legislature shall provide for filling vacancies in the office of
28 comptroller and of attorney-general. No election of a comptroller or an
29 attorney-general shall be had except at the time of electing a governor.
30 No person shall be elected to the office of comptroller or attorney-gen-
31 eral who has previously been elected to such office more than three
32 times. Provided, however, any term already served by a sitting comp-
33 troller or attorney-general prior to the amendments to this section
34 being approved and ratified by the people and coming into effect shall
35 be excluded from the limits on service set forth by this section. The
36 comptroller shall be required: (1) to audit all vouchers before payment
37 and all official accounts; (2) to audit the accrual and collection of
38 all revenues and receipts; and (3) to prescribe such methods of account-
39 ing as are necessary for the performance of the foregoing duties. The
40 payment of any money of the state, or of any money under its control, or
41 the refund of any money paid to the state, except upon audit by the
42 comptroller, shall be void, and may be restrained upon the suit of any
43 taxpayer with the consent of the supreme court in appellate division on
44 notice to the attorney-general. In such respect the legislature shall
45 define the powers and duties and may also assign to [him or her] such
46 person: (1) supervision of the accounts of any political subdivision of
47 the state; and (2) powers and duties pertaining to or connected with the
48 assessment and taxation of real estate, including determination of
49 ratios which the assessed valuation of taxable real property bears to
50 the full valuation thereof, but not including any of those powers and
51 duties reserved to officers of a county, city, town or village by virtue
52 of [sections seven and eight] section one of article nine and section
53 thirteen of article thirteen of this constitution. The legislature shall
54 assign to [him or her] such person no administrative duties, excepting
55 such as may be incidental to the performance of these functions, any
56 other provision of this constitution to the contrary notwithstanding.
A. 10427 3
1 § 4. 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 three months previous to the time of such election.
