Frequently Asked Questions

Top 4 Questions Asked

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1. How can I find the Session Calendar and the Public Hearings Calendar?
A. The "Calendars" link at the top of the Senate home page (and this page, too) will show a listing of NY Senate calendars, including the Live Video calendar, Session calendar, Committee Meetings calendar, Public Hearings calendar, and the Floor calendar.

2. How do I determine which Senators are on a particular committee?
A. Clicking the "Committees" link at the top of the Senate home page (and this page, too) will open a listing of NY Senate committees, task forces, and other entities. Each name is linked to its respective home page, on which lists its members.

3. How do I determine who is my Senator?
A. Near the top of the Senate home page (and this page, too), there's a "Find My Senator" section. Enter your street address & zip code in the appropriate boxes, and then click Submit.

4. How can I obtain a copy of a Senate bill?
A. At the top of the Senate home page (and this page, too), there's a "Legislation" link, which will take you to a page where you can browse, search, and share legislative information from the New York State Senate.  If your having trouble finding a bill be sure to check out the advanced search.

Who's Who

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1. How many members are there in the New York State Senate and Assembly?
The State Senate has 62 members. The State Assembly has 150 members.

2. Who are the "Legislative Leaders?"
The Legislative Leaders are the Temporary President of the Senate (the Senate Majority Leader), Assembly Speaker, Assembly Majority Leader, Senate and Assembly Minority Leaders, Senate Finance Committee Chairperson, and Assembly Ways and Means Committee Chairperson.

3. Who are the presiding officers in the Senate and Assembly?
The Lieutenant Governor is the President of the Senate and its presiding officer and has a casting vote only. The Speaker is the presiding officer in the Assembly and the leader of that house.

4. Who is the Temporary President and Majority Leader of the Senate?
Dean G. Skelos, Republican representing the 9th District (Parts of Nassau County), in November 2010 Senator Skelos was re-elected to serve his fourteenth term in the New York State Senate, and was elected Majority Leader in 2011.

5. What are the major duties of the Temporary President of the Senate?
In addition to being Majority Leader, the Temporary President is first in line after the Lieutenant Governor to succeed to the governorship. The Temporary President is also chairperson of the Rules Committee, appoints Senate committee chairpersons and members and is an ex-officio member of all committees and temporary state commissions.

6. Who is the Minority Leader of the Senate?
John L. Sampson, Democrat representing the 19th District , which encompasses Canarsie, East Flatbush, Parts of Brownsville, Crown Heights, East New York, portions of Old Mill Basin, Spring Creek Towers, and parts of Midwood and Kensington in Brooklyn..

7. Who is the Speaker of the Assembly?
Sheldon Silver, Democrat representing the 62nd District (Part of New York County), was elected to the Assembly in 1976 and was elected Speaker in 1994.

8. What are the major duties of the Speaker of the Assembly?
In addition to presiding, the Speaker of the Assembly appoints Assembly committee chairpersons and members and is chairperson of the Rules Committee. The Speaker is an ex-officio member of all legislative committees and temporary state commissions. The Speaker is third in line to the governorship.

9. How are the principal leaders of the two houses chosen?
The Majority Leader in the Senate is elected by the members in the Senate. The Speaker of the Assembly is elected by the members of that house. Normally, their elections are by "party votes."

10. Who is the Majority Leader of the Assembly?
Ron Canestrari, Democrat representing the 106th District (Parts of Albany, Rensselaer, and Saratoga Counties), was first elected to the Assembly in 1988 and appointed Majority Leader in 2007 by the Speaker of the Assembly. The Majority Leader's principal duties include being the floor leader, overseeing debates and setting the daily agenda.

11. Who is the Minority Leader of the Assembly?
Brian Kolb, Republican representing the 129th District (Cayuga, Onondaga, Ontario and Seneca counties), was first elected to the Assembly in 2000. He succeeded James Tedisco and became Minority Leader in April 2009.

12. How are the Minority Leaders chosen?
The Minority Leaders are chosen by the members of their respective parties in each house.

13. What are the major duties of the Minority Leaders?
The Minority Leaders are ex-officio members of all legislative committees and temporary state commissions. They have the right to make the last speech for their parties in debate. They recommend minority appointments to all standing committees and joint legislative committees.

14. What basic qualifications for Legislators are required by the State Constitution?
The State Constitution requires that Legislators are citizens of the United States, at least 18 years of age, residents of New York State for five years, and residents for 12 months of the Assembly or Senate district which they represent, except immediately after a reapportionment.

15. What are the occupational backgrounds of the State Legislators?
Occupations of Legislators include, but are not limited to: the military, law, secretary, teacher, businessperson, attorney, union representative, journalist, farmer, public agency administrator, geoscientist, court reporter, mortician, youth counselor, photographer, real estate developer, printer and city clerk.

16. How many State Legislatures have convened up to the present time?
2009 is the 232nd session of the Legislature.

How It Works

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1. How often does the New York State Legislature meet?
The Legislature meets every year, typically for several days a week from January through mid-June and at the call of the Legislative leaders at other times during the year.

2. Does the Legislature ever meet at any time other than in regular session?
The Governor may call the Legislature into extraordinary session for a limited agenda which is identified by the Governor.

3. How long do State Legislators serve?
Both Senators and Assembly members are elected on even numbered years for two-year terms. In a 1964 federal court order, issued pursuant to a reapportionment case, legislators elected in 1964 and 1965 were limited to one-year terms, but two-year terms commenced again with the 1966 election.

4. What types of committees exist in the State Legislature?
The types of committees used in New York include:
1) Joint Legislative Committees which operate year-round and have members from both houses; and
2) Standing Committees organized in each house to operate during the session. Some Senate and Assembly Standing Committees operate year-round as well.

5. How many Standing Committees are there in each house?
There are presently 32 Standing Committees in the Senate and 41 in the Assembly. The size of a Standing Committee and the total number of these committees are determined by the rules of each house. All bills must be referred to a committee.

6. In what areas are Standing Committees organized?
The Standing Committees in both houses are organized by topic. They include, but are not limited to: Aging; Agriculture; Banks, Cities; Codes; Education; Health; Insurance; Judiciary; Labor; and Transportation.

7. How are assignments to committees made?
Appointments to committees are made by the Temporary President in the Senate and by the Speaker in the Assembly. An appointment of a chairperson is usually based on seniority, experience and special knowledge.

8. Can Standing Committees hold public hearings on bills referred to them?
All Standing Committees may hold public hearings. Assembly rules require that not less than two days notice of such hearings be given, and the Senate rules require five days notice.

9. How are Joint Legislative Committees created?
Joint Legislative Committees are set up by a concurrent resolution approved by both houses. The resolution specifies the specific areas for committee study.

Passing Laws

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1. How does an idea become a law?
Click this link to learn how laws are made...

2. Is it necessary for a bill to be introduced in both houses?
No, a bill does not have to be introduced in both houses before it can become law. However, many bills are simultaneously introduced in both houses using a special "uni-bill" process so that committees of each house may begin work on them and provide informed support in each house. Bills do have to be voted on by both houses and signed by the Governor before becoming law.

3. How many votes are needed to pass a bill in New York State?
According to the State Constitution, a bill cannot become law "except by the assent of a majority of the members elected to each branch of the Legislature."

4. Must the Governor act on all bills passed by the Legislature?
Bills passed before the last 10 days of the legislative session automatically become law if not signed or vetoed by the Governor within 10 days after receiving them. After that, bills become law only if signed by the Governor within 30 days of adjournment.

5. How many votes are necessary to repass a vetoed bill?
A bill vetoed by the Governor cannot become law unless it is repassed by two-thirds of the members elected to each house.

6. Does the Legislature prepare the State Budget?
No. The Governor must present it to the Legislature annually in the middle of January.

Did You Know

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1. How many State Legislators have served as Governor of New York?
31 New York State Legislators became governors, including David Paterson, George E. Pataki, George Clinton and John Jay.

2. How many State Legislators have served as United States Senator from New York?
Since 1900, five U.S. Senators from New York have previously served in the State Legislature. James Wadsworth, Jr., James Mead, Irving Ives and Charles E. Schumer served in the Assembly; Robert Wagner, Sr. was elected to both the State Senate and Assembly.

3. How many New York State Legislators have become President of the United States?
Four New York Legislators subsequently became President: Martin Van Buren, Millard Fillmore, Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Text Source: Mary Ann Ryan-Germani, The New York Red Book, (New York: New York Legal Publishing Corp., 2001); New York State Legislature, 100 Questions and Answers About the New York State Legislature, (Albany, New York State Legislature, 1976).

Branches of Government in New York State

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Legislative Branch

The Legislature is the lawmaking branch of state government. It is a bicameral, or two-house, body composed of the Senate and the Assembly. The Constitution authorizes a Senate of varying number, currently 62 members, and an Assembly of 150 members, who are elected from districts throughout the State for two-year terms. Each member of the Legislature must be a United States citizen, a resident of the State for five years and, in most cases, of the Senate or Assembly district for one year preceding the election.

The Lieutenant Governor is the Senate's President. In this largely ceremonial capacity,the Lieutenant Governor presides over the Senate during the legislative session and has a rarely used casting vote to break ties in measures before the house.

After each election, the Senate elects from among its members a Temporary President who serves a two-year term. Traditionally, the Temporary President is the ranking Senator of the majority political party in the house -- the Majority Leader. It is the duty of the Temporary President to direct and guide the business of the Senate, appoint Senate committees, name Senate employees and perform or delegate to another Senator the duties of the President during the Lieutenant Governor's absence from the Senate Chamber.

The Assembly is presided over by the Speaker, who is elected from and by the Assembly membership for a two-year term. In addition to his/her duties as presiding officer, the Speaker possesses general powers similar to those of the Temporary President of the Senate.

The Temporary President and then the Speaker are next in line to the Lieutenant Governor in succession to the governorship.

The powers that the Constitution reserves for the Legislature are varied and extensive. The most important is that which permits the Senate and Assembly to propose laws, within the limits of the Federal Constitution and certain Federal statutes and treaties. These laws first take the form of bills, which may be introduced in either house. A bill passed by one house must be passed in the same form by the other before it can be sent to the Governor for his signature or veto.

The lawmaking powers of the Legislature include: the appropriation of funds for the operation of state government and its agencies and for aid to local governments; the definition of acts or omissions that constitute crimes and the setting of penalties; the promotion of the public welfare, including that of the State's indigent, mentally ill and unemployed; and the correction, clarification, amendment or repeal of laws that are outdated or confusing.

The Senate and Assembly have several additional powers that are reserved solely for them in the Constitution. An important weapon in legislative battle is the override of a Governor's veto. The Legislature can approve a law despite a veto by the Governor with the support of two-thirds of the membership in each house. However, the most common lawmaking procedure is the result of compromise among the Senate, the Assembly and the Governor.

The Senate alone has the power to confirm the Governor's appointment on non-elected state officials and court judges. The Constitution provides that such appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate, which approves or disapproves them, after hearings on the candidate's qualifications.

The Legislature, through its varied functions, serves as a check upon the executive authority of the Governor and helps ensure that the best interests of the State's citizens are legislatively represented.

Executive Branch

The Executive Branch is headed by the Governor, who is elected for a term of four years. The Governor, who must be at least 30 years old, a citizen of the United States and a resident of New York for five years, serves as the State's chief executive and Commander-in-Chief of its military and naval forces. He is required by the Constitution to submit a yearly State Budget to the Legislature, in which he makes recommendations for legislation and proposes funding appropriations for departments and programs. The Governor also is empowered to: veto legislative bills with which he disagrees; convene the Legislature for special sessions; appoint and, under certain conditions, remove non-elected state officers; and grant reprieves, commutations and pardons.

The Lieutenant Governor is elected for the same term and must possess the same qualifications for office as the Governor. The Lieutenant Governor's main function is to serve as President of the State Senate, but he/she assumes the governorship in case of impeachment, resignation, absence or death of the Governor. The Lieutenant Governor's executive duties are designated by the Governor and may include the chairing of state councils.

The State Comptroller and the Attorney General are the other two elected officials who serve in the Executive Branch. The Comptroller is the chief fiscal officer of the State and serves as the administrative head of the Department of Audit and Control. The Attorney General, as the State's chief legal officer, is responsible for the prosecution of all actions for or against the State, has control of the legal affairs of state officers and departments and serves as the head of the Department of Law.

New York State's governmental activities are run by several departments of the Executive Branch. Three of the departments are supervised by elected officials -- the Governor, the Comptroller and the Attorney General. The heads of the remaining departments, who each coordinate policy and activities for a specific concern, are generally appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The principal exception is the Commissioner of Education, who is selected by the Regents of the University of the State of New York.

The Executive Branch is characterized by a strong Governor, with certain powers over appointments and the budget. However, executive authority is restricted by the independently appointed and elected officials.

Judicial Branch

The State Constitution defines the organization and jurisdiction of New York State's unified court system, which has grown to become one of the busiest and most complex in the world. The judicial system approximately consists of full-time judges, part-time judges and non-judicial employees.

The Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals is the chief judicial officer of the State. The Chief Judge serves as the chairman of the Administrative Board of the Courts, which consists of the Presiding Justices of the four Appellate Divisions of the Supreme Court. The Administrative Board, under the leadership of the Chief Judge, establishes statewide administrative standards and policies for the court system.

The structure of the State's court system is based upon the cases each court is empowered to adjudicate. The three main classifications of courts in the State are the Appellate Courts, Trial Courts of Superior Jurisdiction and Trial Courts of Lesser Jurisdiction. The trial courts are those with original jurisdiction. They are empowered to hear the initial case in most court proceedings. The appellate courts hear appeals of the decisions from other tribunals in the state.

The Court of Appeals is the State's highest court. It comprises the Chief Judge and six associate judges who are appointed by the Governor for 14-year terms from recommendations by the Commission on Judicial Nomination and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Court hears cases on appeal from the other appellate courts and, in some instances, from the courts of original jurisdiction. Its review is generally limited to questions of law.

There are four Appellate Divisions of the Supreme Court, one in each of the State's four judicial departments. These departments include all of the eleven judicial districts that divide the State. There are seven appellate justices in both the First and Second Departments, and five in both the Third and Fourth, who are designated by the Governor from among Supreme Court justices to serve five-year terms. In the first two departments, appellate courts hear appeals in criminal and civil cases originating in the Criminal and Civil Courts of the City of New York and in county, district, city, town and village courts. In the Third and Fourth Departments, appeals from city, town and village courts are heard in the appropriate county court.

The Supreme Court, which functions in each of the eleven judicial districts, is a court of unlimited jurisdiction. However, it usually hears only cases outside the authority of other courts, such as civil cases over $10,000. It generally limits its civil jurisdiction to statewide cases while, in New York City and certain other parts of the State, it also adjudicates felony cases.

The Court of Claims, whose judges are appointed by the Governor to serve nine-year terms, is a statewide court whose main jurisdiction is over claims for money damages involving the State and a claimant, or two conflicting claimants. Certain judges serving the Court of Claims also are empowered to adjudicate other civil and criminal matters that would normally come before the Supreme Court.

There are four courts of lesser jurisdiction outside New York City -- District, City, Town and Village Courts -- that handle minor civil and criminal matters.

The complex structure of the State's court system is a reflection of the varied objectives that the Judiciary strives to realize. The Judicial Branch is empowered to: provide a forum for the peaceful, fair and prompt resolution of civil claims, family disputes, criminal charges, juvenile delinquency charges, disputes between citizens and their government and challenges to government actions; determine the legality of wills, adoptions, divorces and other disputed matters; provide legal protection for children, the mentally ill and others entitled to the special protection of the court; regulate the admission of lawyers to the bar and their legal conduct, and review administrative determinations to admonish, censure or remove judges or justices.

The Judicial Branch serves as the enforcement body for the bills that are passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor. It is the duty of the court to determine the practical application and to decide the constitutionality of laws that are already in effect. This is often a complex and challenging task, but the court system is organized to best meet the varied legal needs of all the State's citizens.

Sources: New York State Senate, A Guide to New York State's Government (Albany, New York State Senate, 1988)

RSS (Real Simple Syndication) Feeds

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There are two pieces to using RSS Feeds, the Feed and the Reader. RSS Feeds are like online magazine subscriptions and your RSS reader is like your mailbox. Whenever you click the RSS button (the orange box with the white waves) you will be asked to tell it which RSS reader you are using (more on this below). Once you tell it where to find your reader, that RSS Feed will send an email to the reader everytime the blog, e-magazine or website of your choice is updated. The email will contain the full content of whatever was written. This is why RSS Feeds are like online magazine subscriptions, you get the full content of whatever you subscribe to sent to a single place.

RSS readers are just services that accept your RSS subscriptions. You can use something like Google Reader or search around for the Reader that you like best.