S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   5416
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              April 30, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  ORTT  --  read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
 
             CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY
 
 proposing the addition of a new  article  20  to  the  constitution,  in
   relation  to  dividing  New  York state into three autonomous regions;
   proposing an amendment to article 8 of the constitution,  in  relation
   to  local, school and special district budgets; proposing an amendment
   to article 19 of the constitution in  relation  to  formation  of  new
   towns;  proposing  an  amendment  to  section  2  of article 19 of the
   constitution, in relation to the constitutional convention;  proposing
   an  amendment to article 11 of the constitution, in relation to public
   education; proposing an amendment to article 19 of  the  constitution,
   in  relation  to  limiting  voting on a new constitution; proposing an
   amendment to article 3 of the constitution, in relation to  the  state
   legislature;  proposing an amendment to article 5 of the constitution,
   relating to officers and civil departments; repealing  article  11  of
   the constitution relating to education; repealing section 6 of article
   3 of the constitution relating to the state legislature; and repealing
   section  1  of  article 5 of the constitution relating to officers and
   civil departments
 
   Section 1. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That article 20  of  the
 constitution  be  renumbered article 21 and a new article 20 be added to
 read as follows:
                                ARTICLE XX
                                  REGIONS
 
   SECTION 1. THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL BE DIVIDED INTO THREE  REGIONS:
 THE NEW AMSTERDAM REGION, THE NEW YORK REGION AND THE MONTAUK REGION.
   (A) THE NEW YORK REGION SHALL CONSIST OF THE COUNTIES OF BRONX, KINGS,
 NEW YORK, QUEENS AND RICHMOND.
   (B)  THE NEW AMSTERDAM REGION SHALL CONSIST OF THE COUNTIES OF ALBANY,
 ALLEGANY, BROOME, CATTARAUGUS, CAYUGA,  CHAUTAUQUA,  CHEMUNG,  CHENANGO,
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
              

                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD89094-02-9

 S. 5416                             2
 
 CLINTON,  COLUMBIA, CORTLAND, DELAWARE, DUTCHESS, ERIE, ESSEX, FRANKLIN,
 FULTON, GENESEE, GREENE, HAMILTON, HERKIMER, JEFFERSON,  LEWIS,  LIVING-
 STON,  MADISON,  MONROE, MONTGOMERY, NIAGARA, ONEIDA, ONONDAGA, ONTARIO,
 ORANGE,  ORLEANS, OSWEGO, OTSEGO, PUTNAM, RENSSELAER, SARATOGA, SCHENEC-
 TADY, SCHOHARIE, SCHUYLER,  SENECA,  ST.  LAWRENCE,  STEUBEN,  SULLIVAN,
 TIOGA, TOMPKINS, ULSTER, WARREN, WASHINGTON, WAYNE, WYOMING, AND YATES.
   (C)  THE  MONTAUK  REGION  SHALL  CONSIST  OF  THE COUNTIES OF NASSAU,
 SUFFOLK, ROCKLAND, AND WESTCHESTER.
   (D) ANY NEW COUNTIES NOT LISTED SHALL BE ASSIGNED BY STATE LAW TO  THE
 CORRECT REGION.
   (E)  THE  NEW AMSTERDAM REGIONAL CAPITAL SHALL BE WITHIN ALBANY COUNTY
 UNLESS THE NEW AMSTERDAM  REGION  BY  REGIONAL  LAW  PICKS  A  DIFFERENT
 LOCATION.  THE NEW YORK REGIONAL CAPITAL SHALL BE WITHIN RICHMOND COUNTY
 UNLESS THE NEW YORK REGION BY REGIONAL LAW PICKS A  DIFFERENT  LOCATION.
 THE  MONTAUK  REGIONAL CAPITAL SHALL BE WITHIN WESTCHESTER COUNTY UNLESS
 THE MONTAUK REGION BY REGIONAL LAW PICKS A DIFFERENT LOCATION.
   § 2. (A) THE LEGISLATIVE POWER OF EACH REGION SHALL BE VESTED  IN  TWO
 HOUSES;  A  REGIONAL SENATE AND A REGIONAL ASSEMBLY, WHOSE MEMBERS SHALL
 BE ELECTED BY THE UNITED STATES CITIZENS WHO ARE  18  YEARS  OF  AGE  OR
 OLDER  AND  RESIDE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS.  REGIONAL ASSEMBLYPER-
 SONS AND REGIONAL SENATORS MUST BE A UNITED  STATES  CITIZEN  AND  BE  A
 RESIDENT  OF  THE  RESPECTIVE  DISTRICT  OR RESIDE WITHIN SEVEN MILES OF
 THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICT.
   (B) REGIONAL SENATORS WILL ALSO SERVE IN THE NEW  YORK  STATE  SENATE;
 REGIONAL ASSEMBLYPERSONS ALSO WILL SERVE IN THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY.
   (C)  NEW AMSTERDAM REGIONAL SENATE SHALL HAVE 24 SENATORS, THE MONTAUK
 REGION SHALL HAVE 12 SENATORS, AND THE NEW YORK  REGIONAL  SENATE  SHALL
 HAVE 34 SENATORS.
   (D) (I) THE NUMBER OF NEW AMSTERDAM REGIONAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS SHALL BE
 CALCULATED  BY  DIVIDING  THE  POPULATION OF THE NEW AMSTERDAM REGION BY
 125,000 AND ROUNDED UPWARD TO THE NEAREST ODD WHOLE NUMBER.
   (II) THE NUMBER OF NEW YORK REGIONAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS SHALL BE  CALCU-
 LATED  BY  DIVIDING THE POPULATION OF THE NEW YORK REGION BY 125,000 AND
 ROUNDED UPWARD TO THE NEAREST ODD WHOLE NUMBER.
   (III) THE NUMBER OF MONTAUK REGIONAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS SHALL BE  CALCU-
 LATED BY DIVIDING THE POPULATION OF MONTAUK REGION BY 125,000 AND ROUND-
 ED UPWARD TO THE NEAREST ODD WHOLE NUMBER.
   (E)  EACH  FEDERAL CENSUS TAKEN DECENNIALLY SHALL BE CONTROLLING AS TO
 THE NUMBER OF INHABITANTS IN THE STATE  OR  ANY  PART  THEREOF  FOR  THE
 PURPOSES  OF  THE APPORTIONMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY AND READJUST-
 MENT OR ALTERATION OF REGIONAL SENATE AND ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS NEXT OCCUR-
 RING IN SO FAR AS SUCH CENSUS AND THE TABULATION THEREOF PURPORT TO GIVE
 THE INFORMATION NECESSARY THEREFOR. THE FIRST YEAR  AFTER  THIS  ARTICLE
 TAKES  EFFECT  THE  COURT  OF APPEALS SHALL DRAW THE REGIONAL SENATE AND
 ASSEMBLY  DISTRICTS;  THEREAFTER  EACH  REGIONAL  LEGISLATURE  SHALL  BY
 REGIONAL  LAW  DRAW  CONTIGUOUS SENATE AND ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS OF ROUGHLY
 EQUAL POPULATION FOR THAT REGION; HOWEVER ONE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT AND  ONE
 SENATE  DISTRICT MAY INCLUDE PARTS OF WESTCHESTER AND NASSAU COUNTIES IF
 NEEDED TO KEEP DISTRICTS ROUGHLY EQUAL IN POPULATION. REGIONAL ASSEMBLY-
 PERSONS AND REGIONAL SENATORS TERMS WILL BE TWO YEARS.  THE  TERM  SHALL
 START AT NOON ON DECEMBER 1ST FOLLOWING THEIR ELECTION AND END TWO YEARS
 LATER  AT  NOON ON DECEMBER 1ST. NO TOWN SHALL HAVE MORE THAN ONE ASSEM-
 BLYPERSON UNLESS ITS POPULATION EXCEEDS THE POPULATION  REQUIRED  FOR  A
 REGIONAL ASSEMBLY DISTRICT.
   (F) EACH REGIONAL LEGISLATURE SHALL HOLD ITS REGULAR SESSION IN MONTHS
 OF  JANUARY,  FEBRUARY,  AND MARCH OF EACH YEAR ADJOURNING NO LATER THAN

 S. 5416                             3
 
 MARCH 20TH. EACH REGIONAL SENATOR SHALL HAVE ONE VOTE IN THEIR  REGIONAL
 SENATE.  EACH  REGIONAL  ASSEMBLYPERSON  SHALL  HAVE  ONE  VOTE IN THEIR
 REGIONAL ASSEMBLY.
   (G) THE FISCAL YEAR OF EACH REGION WILL BE FROM MARCH 1 TO LAST DAY OF
 FEBRUARY  OF  THE  FOLLOWING YEAR.   IF AT NOON ON THE DATE A NEW FISCAL
 YEAR STARTS ALL THE APPROPRIATE REGION'S BUDGET APPROPRIATION BILLS  AND
 REVENUE  BILLS HAVE NOT BEEN ENACTED INTO LAW, THEN THAT REGION'S PREVI-
 OUS FISCAL YEAR'S BUDGET SHALL BECOME THAT REGION'S DEFAULT BUDGET. ONCE
 A REGIONAL DEFAULT BUDGET TAKES  EFFECT,  NO  PART  OF  THE  APPROPRIATE
 PROPOSED REGIONAL EXECUTIVE BUDGET SHALL BE ENACTED INTO LAW. THE APPRO-
 PRIATIONS  SHALL REMAIN THE SAME AS THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR'S APPROPRI-
 ATION LAWS. THE APPROPRIATIONS GIVEN TO EACH COUNTY, CITY, TOWN, VILLAGE
 OR SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL ALSO REMAIN THE SAME AS THAT REGION'S  PREVIOUS
 FISCAL  YEAR. NO MONEYS MAY BE TRANSFERRED BETWEEN APPROPRIATION LAWS OR
 OTHER CHANGES TO DEFAULT BUDGET MAY BE ENACTED, UNLESS APPROVED  BY  NEW
 SUPPLEMENTAL  REGIONAL APPROPRIATION BILL(S) WHICH ARE ENACTED INTO LAW.
 ANY APPROPRIATIONS THAT WERE DESIGNED TO BE NON-RECURRING APPROPRIATIONS
 SHALL BE DROPPED FROM THE DEFAULT REGIONAL BUDGET. SUPPLEMENTAL REGIONAL
 APPROPRIATION BILL(S) VOTED ON BETWEEN APRIL 1ST AND  DECEMBER  31ST  OF
 ANY CALENDAR YEAR SHALL REQUIRE AT LEAST THREE-FIFTHS (3/5) VOTE OF BOTH
 OF  THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL LEGISLATURE'S HOUSES WITH THE AYES AND NAYS
 ENTERED ON THE JOURNAL, TO BE ENACTED. THE DEFAULT REGIONAL BUDGET SHALL
 BE TREATED AS A REGULAR REGIONAL BUDGET AND EXPIRE AT  THE  END  OF  THE
 FISCAL  YEAR. SUPPLEMENTAL REGIONAL APPROPRIATION BILL(S) ARE ANY APPRO-
 PRIATION BILL CREATED BY THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL LEGISLATURE.
   (H) THE FOLLOWING CONSOLIDATED CHAPTERS OF NEW YORK  STATE  LAW  SHALL
 BECOME THE REGIONAL LAWS OF EACH REGION: ABANDONED PROPERTY, AGRICULTURE
 AND  MARKETS, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL, ALTERNATIVE COUNTY GOVERNMENT,
 ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS, BANKING, BENEVOLENT ORDERS,  BOXING  SPARRING
 AND  WRESTLING,  BUSINESS  CORPORATION,  CANAL,  CIVIL  PRACTICE LAW AND
 RULES, CIVIL RIGHTS, CIVIL SERVICE  (REGIONAL  AND  LOCAL),  COOPERATIVE
 CORPORATIONS,  CORRECTION, COUNTY, CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, DEBTOR AND CREDI-
 TOR, DOMESTIC RELATIONS, ECONOMIC  DEVELOPMENT  LAW,  EDUCATION,  ELDER,
 ELECTION  (REGIONAL  AND  LOCAL),  EMINENT  DOMAIN PROCEDURE, EMPLOYER'S
 LIABILITY,  ENERGY,  ENVIRONMENTAL  CONSERVATION,  ESTATES  POWERS   AND
 TRUSTS, EXECUTIVE, FINANCIAL SERVICES LAW, GENERAL ASSOCIATIONS, GENERAL
 BUSINESS, GENERAL CITY, GENERAL CONSTRUCTION, GENERAL MUNICIPAL, GENERAL
 OBLIGATIONS,   HIGHWAY,   INSURANCE,   JUDICIARY  (SUPERIOR,  APPELLATE,
 SUPREME, COUNTY AND LOCAL)  LABOR,  LEGISLATIVE  (REGIONAL  AND  LOCAL),
 LIEN,  LIMITED  LIABILITY  COMPANY  LAW,  LOCAL FINANCE, MENTAL HYGIENE,
 MILITARY, MULTIPLE DWELLING, MULTIPLE RESIDENCE,  MUNICIPAL  HOME  RULE,
 NAVIGATION, NEW YORK STATE PRINTING AND PUBLIC DOCUMENTS, NOT-FOR-PROFIT
 CORPORATION,  PARKS,  RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION, PARTNERSHIP,
 PENAL, PERSONAL PROPERTY, PRIVATE HOUSING FINANCE,  PUBLIC  AUTHORITIES,
 PUBLIC  BUILDINGS,  PUBLIC  HEALTH, PUBLIC HOUSING, PUBLIC LANDS, PUBLIC
 OFFICERS, PUBLIC SERVICE, RACING, PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING AND BREEDING LAW,
 RAILROAD, RAPID  TRANSIT,  REAL  PROPERTY,  REAL  PROPERTY  ACTIONS  AND
 PROCEEDINGS,  REAL  PROPERTY TAX, RELIGIOUS CORPORATIONS, RURAL ELECTRIC
 COOPERATIVE, SECOND  CLASS  CITIES,  SOCIAL  SERVICES,  SOIL  AND  WATER
 CONSERVATION DISTRICTS, STATE, STATE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT, STATE
 FINANCE,  STATE TECHNOLOGY, STATUTE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, TAX (EXCEPT IT
 MAY NOT ENACT OR COLLECT ANY REGIONAL SALES  TAXES),  TOWN,  TRANSPORTA-
 TION,  TRANSPORTATION CORPORATIONS, UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE, VEHICLE AND
 TRAFFIC, VILLAGE, VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE WORKERS' BENEFIT, VOLUNTEER  FIRE-
 FIGHTERS'  BENEFIT,  WORKERS'  COMPENSATION,  FAMILY  COURT, SURROGATE'S
 COURT PROCEDURE, UNIFORM CITY COURT,  UNIFORM  DISTRICT  COURT,  UNIFORM

 S. 5416                             4
 
 JUSTICE  COURT, AND ANY OTHER TYPES OF LAWS NOT LISTED IN STATE LEGISLA-
 TURE'S LIST IN SECTION 3 OF THIS ARTICLE. REGIONAL LAWS FOR THESE  TYPES
 OF  LAWS  SHALL  BE  SUPREME  OVER  STATE  AND LOCAL LAWS. ANY STATE LAW
 CHANGED  BY THIS SECTION TO A REGIONAL LAW SHALL HAVE ANY MENTION OF THE
 COURT OF APPEALS CHANGED TO THAT REGION'S SUPERIOR COURT. NO PERSON  CAN
 BE  IMPRISONED FOR ANY NUMBER OF CIVIL OFFENSES FOR MORE THAN SIX MONTHS
 IN ANY CALENDAR YEAR. NEW YORK CITY CIVIL COURT, NEW YORK CITY  CRIMINAL
 COURT  LAW  WILL BECOME NEW YORK REGIONAL LAW. EACH REGIONAL LEGISLATURE
 MAY AMEND, REPEAL, OR CREATE NEW LAWS, BUT ANY CHANGES WILL  ONLY  APPLY
 TO  THAT  REGION.  NO  OFFENSE GREATER THAN A MISDEMEANOR WITH A MAXIMUM
 PENALTY LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO ONE YEAR IN JAIL MAY BE ENACTED  BY  LOCAL
 GOVERNMENTS.  FELONIES  WITH  A MAXIMUM PENALTY GREATER THAN ONE YEAR IN
 JAIL CAN ONLY BE ENACTED UNDER REGIONAL LAW.  MISDEMEANORS MAY  ALSO  BE
 ENACTED  UNDER  REGIONAL  LAW. ASSET FORFEITURE SHALL BE ALLOWED ONLY IF
 THE PERSON(S) WHO OWN THE ASSET IS/ARE CONVICTED OF A FELONY  AND  ASSET
 WAS  USED  IN  THE CRIME AND/OR WAS OBTAINED AS RESULT OF THE CRIME. THE
 ELECTION LAW REQUIREMENTS FOR GETTING ON THE BALLOT, FOR REGIONAL ASSEM-
 BLYPERSON SHALL BE THE SAME OR LESS STRICT THAN THEY WERE  FOR  A  STATE
 ASSEMBLYMAN;  FOR REGIONAL SENATOR SHALL BE THE SAME OR LESS STRICT THAN
 THEY WERE FOR STATE SENATOR. ANY OTHER LAWS THAT ARE NOT LISTED IN  THIS
 PARAGRAPH OR IN SECTION 3 OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL EXPIRE ON JULY 1ST, FIVE
 YEARS AFTER THE REGIONAL GOVERNORS TAKE OFFICE FOR THE FIRST TIME UNLESS
 REENACTED  AS  A  REGIONAL  LAW.   ALL LOCAL LAWS, RULES, ORDINANCES AND
 REGULATIONS MUST BE FILED WITH THE  APPROPRIATE  REGIONAL  SECRETARY  OF
 STATE  BEFORE  THEY CAN TAKE EFFECT OR BE ENFORCED. IN THE NEW AMSTERDAM
 REGION; EXCEPT FOR LOCAL LAND USE  ZONING  LAWS  ALL  SUCH  LOCAL  LAWS,
 RULES,  ORDINANCES  AND/OR REGULATIONS SHALL EXPIRE TEN YEARS AFTER THEY
 ARE FILED. THOSE THAT WERE PRE-EXISTING TO THIS ARTICLE WILL  EXPIRE  ON
 JANUARY  1, THREE YEARS AFTER THE REGIONAL GOVERNORS TAKE OFFICE FOR THE
 FIRST TIME, UNLESS REENACTED AND REFILED.
   (I) ALL REGIONAL SENATORS AND REGIONAL ASSEMBLYPERSONS  SHALL  RECEIVE
 THE  SAME  SALARY  SET BY THEIR REGIONAL LAW. THEY SHALL NOT RECEIVE ANY
 ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FROM THE REGION  OTHER  THAN  REIMBURSEMENT  FOR
 TRAVELING  AND LODGING EXPENSES IF THEY LIVE MORE THAN 20 MILES FROM THE
 REGIONAL CAPITAL. HOWEVER, THE REGIONAL SPEAKERS AND THE REGIONAL SENATE
 TEMPORARY SENATE PRESIDENTS SHALL  RECEIVE  THE  SAME  SALARY  AS  THEIR
 REGIONAL  LIEUTENANT  GOVERNOR.  AFTER THE SALARY IS SET, NO LAW VARYING
 THE COMPENSATION OF REGIONAL SENATORS OR REGIONAL ASSEMBLYPERSONS  SHALL
 TAKE  EFFECT  UNTIL  AN  ELECTION OF REGIONAL ASSEMBLYPERSONS SHALL HAVE
 INTERVENED. EACH REGIONAL ASSEMBLYPERSON SHALL BE  PROVIDED  A  DISTRICT
 OFFICE  OF  APPROXIMATELY THE SAME SQUARE FOOTAGE IN HIS OR HER DISTRICT
 AND AN OFFICE AT THE REGIONAL CAPITAL. THE SAME AMOUNT SHALL BE GIVEN TO
 EACH ASSEMBLYPERSON TO PAY FOR  STAFF.  SUCH  AMOUNT  SHALL  BE  SET  BY
 REGIONAL  LAW.  EACH  REGIONAL  SENATOR  SHALL  BE PROVIDED TWO DISTRICT
 OFFICES TOTALING APPROXIMATELY THE SAME SQUARE FOOTAGE, IN  HIS  OR  HER
 DISTRICT AND AN OFFICE AT THE REGIONAL CAPITAL. THE SAME AMOUNT SHALL BE
 GIVEN  TO  EACH  REGIONAL SENATOR TO PAY FOR STAFF. SUCH AMOUNT SHALL BE
 SET BY REGIONAL LAW.
   (J) THE REGIONAL LEGISLATURE MAY IMPEACH FOR CRIMES  AND  REMOVE  FROM
 OFFICE  A  REGIONAL  GOVERNOR,  REGIONAL  LIEUTENANT  GOVERNOR, REGIONAL
 SECRETARY OF STATE, LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS OR APPOINTED REGIONAL  OFFI-
 CERS  IN  ITS  REGION BY A TWO-THIRDS (2/3) VOTE OF EACH REGIONAL HOUSE.
 THE STATE OR REGIONAL GOVERNOR OR ANY OTHER OFFICIAL MAY NOT REMOVE FROM
 OFFICE ANY ELECTIVE SHERIFF, COUNTY CLERK, DISTRICT  ATTORNEY  OR  OTHER
 ELECTIVE  LOCAL  OFFICIAL; THEY MAY ONLY BE REMOVED MID-TERM BY IMPEACH-
 MENT OR CONVICTION OF A FELONY. A  REGIONAL  GOVERNOR  MAY  SUPERSEDE  A

 S. 5416                             5
 
 DISTRICT ATTORNEY IN HIS/HER REGION FOR SPECIFIC CASE(S) BY APPOINTING A
 SPECIAL  PROSECUTOR  IN A MANNER DEFINED BY REGIONAL LAW. THE REGION MAY
 BY REGIONAL LAW REASSIGN TYPES  OF  CASES  WHERE  THERE  MIGHT  EXIST  A
 CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH THEIR REGIONAL ATTORNEY GENERAL.
   (K)  A MAJORITY OF EACH REGIONAL HOUSE SHALL CONSTITUTE A QUORUM TO DO
 BUSINESS. EACH REGIONAL HOUSE SHALL  DETERMINE  THE  RULES  OF  ITS  OWN
 PROCEEDINGS  AND  IS  THE JUDGE OF THE ELECTIONS, RETURNS AND QUALIFICA-
 TIONS OF ITS OWN MEMBERS;  SHALL  CHOOSE  ITS  OWN  OFFICERS;  AND  EACH
 REGIONAL  SENATE  SHALL  CHOOSE  A TEMPORARY PRESIDENT AND EACH REGIONAL
 ASSEMBLY SHALL CHOOSE A SPEAKER. NO PERSON SHALL SERVE AS BOTH  A  STATE
 AND  REGIONAL  TEMPORARY  SENATE  PRESIDENT,  NOR ANYONE SERVE AS BOTH A
 STATE AND REGIONAL SPEAKER. EACH REGIONAL HOUSE OF EACH REGIONAL  LEGIS-
 LATURE  SHALL KEEP A JOURNAL OF ITS PROCEEDINGS, AND PUBLISH THE SAME ON
 THE INTERNET, EXCEPT SUCH PARTS AS TWO-THIRDS (2/3) OF ITS MEMBERS AGREE
 REQUIRE SECRECY. AT REQUEST OF ONE FIFTH (1/5) OF ITS MEMBERS, THE  AYES
 AND  NAYS  SHALL  BE  ENTERED ON THE JOURNAL. THE DOORS OF EACH REGIONAL
 HOUSE SHALL BE KEPT OPEN, EXCEPT WHEN THE PUBLIC WELFARE  SHALL  REQUIRE
 SECRECY.  NEITHER  HOUSE  IN  A  REGIONAL LEGISLATURE SHALL, WITHOUT THE
 CONSENT OF THE OTHER, ADJOURN FOR MORE THAN TWO DAYS. ANY BILL MAY ORIG-
 INATE IN EITHER HOUSE OF THE REGIONAL LEGISLATURE, AND ALL BILLS  PASSED
 BY  ONE  HOUSE  MAY BE AMENDED BY THE OTHER.  NO BILL SHALL BE PASSED OR
 BECOME A LAW UNLESS IT SHALL HAVE BEEN PRINTED AND PLACED ON THE  INTER-
 NET,  IN ITS FINAL FORM, AT LEAST SEVEN CALENDAR DAYS PRIOR TO ITS FINAL
 PASSAGE, UNLESS THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL GOVERNOR,  OR  THE  APPROPRIATE
 ACTING  REGIONAL  GOVERNOR,  SHALL HAVE CERTIFIED, UNDER HIS OR HER HAND
 AND THE SEAL OF THE STATE OR REGION, THE FACTS WHICH IN HIS OR HER OPIN-
 ION NECESSITATE AN IMMEDIATE VOTE THEREON, IN WHICH CASE  THE  LAW  MUST
 EXPIRE  TEN CALENDAR DAYS AFTER PASSAGE, UNLESS IT IS RE-PASSED A SECOND
 TIME AFTER IT HAS BEEN ON THE INTERNET FOR SEVEN  DAYS;  NOR  SHALL  ANY
 BILL  BE  PASSED  OR BECOME A LAW, EXCEPT BY THE ASSENT OF A MAJORITY OF
 THE MEMBERS ELECTED TO EACH BRANCH OF A REGIONAL LEGISLATURE;  AND  UPON
 THE  LAST  READING OF A BILL, NO AMENDMENT THEREOF SHALL BE ALLOWED, AND
 THE QUESTION UPON ITS FINAL PASSAGE SHALL BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY THEREAFT-
 ER, AND THE AYES AND NAYS ENTERED ON THE JOURNAL.  PRE-EXISTING  TAX  OR
 REVENUE  LAWS  SHALL  EXPIRE  ON  JULY 1ST FIVE YEARS AFTER THIS ARTICLE
 TAKES EFFECT.  EVERY LAW OR BILL WHICH IMPOSES, CONTINUES OR  REVIVES  A
 TAX  OR RAISES REVENUE SHALL REQUIRE AT LEAST THREE FIFTHS (3/5) VOTE OF
 BOTH REGIONAL HOUSES TO PASS, THE AYES AND NAYS ENTERED ON THE JOURNALS,
 AND MUST DISTINCTLY STATE THE TAX AND THE OBJECT TO WHICH IT  IS  TO  BE
 APPLIED.  IT  SHALL  NOT  BE SUFFICIENT TO REFER TO ANY OTHER LAW TO FIX
 SUCH TAX OR OBJECT; ALL SUCH LAWS MUST EXPIRE ON  JULY  1ST  FIVE  YEARS
 AFTER  BEING  PASSED. ANY LAW OR BILL THAT WILL MANDATE THAT ANY COUNTY,
 DISTRICT, OR OTHER MUNICIPALITY MUST SPEND ITS OWN FUNDS TO COMPLY  WITH
 SUCH LAW SHALL REQUIRE AT LEAST THREE FIFTHS (3/5) VOTE OF BOTH REGIONAL
 HOUSES TO PASS, THE AYES AND NAYS ENTERED ON THE JOURNALS, ALL SUCH LAWS
 MUST  EXPIRE  ON JULY 1ST TEN YEARS AFTER BEING PASSED. ANY POLICY, RULE
 OR REGULATION THAT WILL MANDATE THAT  ANY  COUNTY,  DISTRICT,  OR  OTHER
 MUNICIPALITY MUST SPEND ITS OWN FUNDS TO COMPLY WITH IT MUST BE RATIFIED
 BY  AT  LEAST  THREE FIFTHS (3/5) VOTE OF BOTH REGIONAL HOUSES, THE AYES
 AND NAYS ENTERED ON THE JOURNAL, BEFORE IT TAKES EFFECT AND MUST  EXPIRE
 ON  JULY 1ST TEN YEARS AFTER BEING RATIFIED.  PRE-EXISTING MANDATES THAT
 REQUIRE A COUNTY OR OTHER MUNICIPALITY TO SPEND ITS OWN FUNDS TO  COMPLY
 WITH  SHALL  EXPIRE ON JULY 1ST ONE YEAR AND 7 MONTHS AFTER THE REGIONAL
 GOVERNORS TAKE OFFICE FOR THE FIRST TIME. MEDICAL COSTS  FOR  THE  NEEDY
 SHALL  NOT BE DELEGATED BY THE STATE OR BY A REGION TO COUNTIES OR OTHER
 MUNICIPALITIES, AND SHALL BE PAID BY THE REGION  UP  TO  LIMITS  SET  BY

 S. 5416                             6
 
 REGIONAL  LAW.  A  REGION  MAY  BY REGIONAL LAW CONTRACT DEBTS IN ANTIC-
 IPATION OF THE RECEIPT OF TAXES AND REVENUES, DIRECT  OR  INDIRECT,  FOR
 THE  PURPOSES AND WITHIN THE AMOUNTS OF APPROPRIATIONS THERETOFORE MADE.
 NOTES OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS FOR THE MONEYS SO BORROWED SHALL BE ISSUED AS
 MAY BE PROVIDED BY LAW, AND SHALL WITH THE INTEREST THEREON BE PAID FROM
 SUCH  TAXES AND REVENUES WITHIN ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE.  EXCEPT
 FOR ANTICIPATION DEBT LISTED ABOVE NO REGIONAL DEBT SHALL  BE  HEREAFTER
 CONTRACTED  BY  OR  ON  BEHALF  OF THE REGION, UNLESS SUCH DEBT SHALL BE
 AUTHORIZED BY LAW, FOR SOME SINGLE WORK OR  PURPOSE,  TO  BE  DISTINCTLY
 SPECIFIED THEREIN. NO SUCH DEBT LAW SHALL TAKE EFFECT UNTIL IT SHALL, AT
 A  NOVEMBER  GENERAL ELECTION, HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE PEOPLE OF THAT
 REGION, AND HAVE RECEIVED A MAJORITY OF  ALL  THE  VOTES  CAST  FOR  AND
 AGAINST  IT  AT  SUCH  ELECTION. ANY SUCH REGIONAL DEBT VOTED ON MUST BE
 PAID OFF WITHIN TWENTY YEARS.   THE REGIONAL LEGISLATURE  SHALL  PROVIDE
 FOR  THE  MAINTENANCE  AND  SUPPORT  OF A SYSTEM OF FREE COMMON SCHOOLS,
 WHEREIN ALL THE CHILDREN OF ITS REGION MAY BE EDUCATED.
   § 3. (A) THE OFFICE OF STATE SENATOR IS ABOLISHED;  REGIONAL  SENATORS
 SHALL  REPLACE  STATE  SENATORS.  WHEN  MEETING AS THE STATE SENATE EACH
 REGIONAL SENATOR'S VOTE SHALL BE WEIGHED BY THE  POPULATION  OF  HIS/HER
 REGIONAL SENATE DISTRICT.
   (B)  THE  OFFICE OF STATE ASSEMBLYMAN IS ABOLISHED; REGIONAL ASSEMBLY-
 PERSONS SHALL REPLACE STATE  ASSEMBLYMEN.  WHEN  MEETING  AS  THE  STATE
 ASSEMBLY  EACH  REGIONAL  ASSEMBLYPERSON'S  VOTE SHALL BE WEIGHED BY THE
 POPULATION OF HIS/HER REGIONAL ASSEMBLY DISTRICT.
   (C) THE STATE LEGISLATURE SHALL HOLD ITS REGULAR SESSION IN THE MONTHS
 OF APRIL AND MAY OF EACH YEAR AND ADJOURN ITS REGULAR SESSION  NO  LATER
 THAN  MAY  31ST. MEMBERS OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE SHALL NOT RECEIVE MORE
 THAN FIFTY DOLLARS A DAY IN COMPENSATION FROM THE  STATE  FOR  EACH  DAY
 THEY  ATTEND  DURING  THE  REGULAR  SESSION AND NO COMPENSATION FROM THE
 STATE DURING EXTRAORDINARY SESSIONS. THE STATE  LEGISLATIVE  MEMBER  MAY
 RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT WHEN RECEIPTS ARE PROVIDED FOR TRAVELING AND LODG-
 ING  EXPENSES  IF  THEY  LIVE  MORE THAN 30 MILES FROM A STATE MEETING'S
 LOCATION. NO ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION SHALL BE PROVIDED BY THE STATE  FOR
 SERVICE IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
   (D)  THE  FISCAL  YEAR  OF STATE WILL BE FROM MAY 1 TO APRIL 30 OF THE
 FOLLOWING YEAR.
   (E) STATE LEGISLATURE'S POWER TO ENACT LAWS SHALL BE LIMITED  ONLY  TO
 THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF LAWS: ELECTION (FOR STATE WIDE OFFICES/ISSUES AND
 UNITED  STATES  OFFICES  ONLY),  EXECUTIVE (FOR THE STATE ONLY), INDIAN,
 JUDICIARY (COURT OF APPEALS, COURT OF CLAIMS,  JUDICIAL  CONDUCT  ONLY),
 LEGISLATIVE  (FOR  THE  STATE  ONLY), MILITARY (NATIONAL GUARD AND NAVAL
 ONLY), RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY,  STATE  ADMINISTRATIVE  PROCEDURE
 ACT  (FOR  THE STATE ONLY), STATE FINANCE (FOR THE STATE ONLY), TAX, BUT
 LIMITED TO SALES TAXES ONLY,  COURT  OF  CLAIMS,  CIVIL  SERVICE  (STATE
 EMPLOYEES  ONLY),  RELATIONS WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, RELATIONS WITH
 OTHER STATES OR CANADA FOR CONNECTING ROADS, BRIDGES AND OTHER  REASONS,
 AND  CONNECTING ROADS AND BRIDGES BETWEEN REGIONS. NO CRIMINAL PENALTIES
 GREATER THAN A MISDEMEANOR WITH A  MAXIMUM  ONE  YEAR  IN  JAIL  MAY  BE
 ENACTED BY THE STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.  FELONIES CAN ONLY BE ENACTED
 UNDER  REGIONAL  LAW;  NATIONAL  GUARD FELONIES WILL BE PROSECUTED UNDER
 REGIONAL MILITARY LAW. ANY OTHER  TYPES  OF  LAWS  NOT  LISTED  IN  THIS
 SECTION  SHALL  BECOME REGIONAL LAWS FOR EACH REGION AND BE DELETED FROM
 STATE CODE ON JULY 1ST FOLLOWING THE DATE THE  REGIONAL  GOVERNORS  TAKE
 OFFICE FOR THE FIRST TIME.
   (F)  TAXES  AND REVENUE FOR THE STATE SHALL BE LIMITED ONLY TO A SALES
 TAX WHICH MAY NOT EXCEED A MAXIMUM OF FOUR (4) PERCENT. AFTER JANUARY 1,

 S. 5416                             7
 
 TEN YEARS AFTER THE REGIONAL GOVERNORS TAKE OFFICE FOR THE FIRST TIME IT
 MAY NOT EXCEED A MAXIMUM OF THREE (3) PERCENT.   THE SALES TAX  FOR  THE
 STATE  AND  LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SHALL BE DEFINED AS A TAX ON SALES, ON THE
 RECEIPTS FROM SALES AND/OR RECEIPTS FROM HOTEL/MOTEL ROOM RENTALS, LEAS-
 ES  OR RENTALS OF MOVEABLE GOODS, AND/OR ANY TAXABLE SERVICES; INCLUDING
 A USE TAX ON ITEMS OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS  IN  VALUE  THAT  ARE  USED
 WITHIN  THE  STATE  BY  A PERMANENT RESIDENT BUT WHICH WERE BOUGHT ELSE-
 WHERE, AND WHICH ARE THUS NOT ORIGINALLY SUBJECT TO THE SALES  TAX.  THE
 SALES TAXES SHALL NEVER BE APPLIED TO MEDICINES, FOOD UNLESS SERVED IN A
 RESTAURANT,  FUEL, REAL PROPERTY, SALE OF BUILDINGS, AND/OR NONALCOHOLIC
 BEVERAGES.  THE STATE SHALL GIVE 25 PERCENT OF ITS SALES TAX REVENUE  TO
 THE  REGIONS  DIVIDED  IN  PROPORTION TO EACH REGION'S POPULATION, UNTIL
 JANUARY 1, TEN YEARS AFTER THE REGIONAL GOVERNORS TAKE  OFFICE  FOR  THE
 FIRST  TIME, WHICH SHALL BE PAID ON THE 15TH OF EVERY MONTH FOR PREVIOUS
 MONTH'S REVENUE. THE MAXIMUM COMBINED STATE AND LOCAL  SALES  TAXES  MAY
 NOT  EXCEED  8  PERCENT.  AFTER  JANUARY 1, TEN YEARS AFTER THE REGIONAL
 GOVERNORS TAKE OFFICE FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE MAXIMUM COMBINED SALES TAX
 MAY NOT EXCEED 7 PERCENT.
   (G) THE STATE MAY NO LONGER CONTRACT ANY DEBT  OTHER  THAN  IN  ANTIC-
 IPATION  OF  THE  RECEIPT  OF TAXES AND REVENUES WHICH MUST BE PAID BACK
 WITHIN ONE YEAR.
   § 4. REGIONAL EXECUTIVE. (A) THE EXECUTIVE POWER IN EACH REGION  SHALL
 BE VESTED IN THE REGIONAL GOVERNOR, WHO SHALL HOLD OFFICE FOR FOUR YEARS
 STARTING  AT  NOON  ON DECEMBER 1ST AFTER HIS/HER ELECTION. THE REGIONAL
 LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SHALL BE CHOSEN AT THE SAME TIME, AND FOR  THE  SAME
 TERM.   THE  REGIONAL  GOVERNORS,  REGIONAL  LIEUTENANT  GOVERNORS,  AND
 REGIONAL SECRETARY OF STATES SHALL BE ELECTED BY  THE  PEOPLE  OF  THEIR
 RESPECTIVE REGIONS. THEY MUST BE A UNITED STATES CITIZEN AND HAVE BEEN A
 RESIDENT  OF  THEIR RESPECTIVE REGION FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS OR A RESI-
 DENT OF THEIR RESPECTIVE REGION AT TIME OF ITS CREATION.  EACH  REGIONAL
 GOVERNOR  SHALL  HAVE  POWER TO CONVENE HIS/HER REGION'S LEGISLATURE, OR
 HIS/HER REGION'S SENATE ONLY, ON EXTRAORDINARY OCCASIONS; FOR A  SPECIAL
 SESSION WHICH MAY LAST NO LONGER THAN TWO WEEKS. NO SUCH SPECIAL SESSION
 MAY BE CALLED WITHIN SIX WEEKS OF THE END OF ANOTHER SPECIAL SESSION. IN
 CASE  OF  THE  REMOVAL OF THE REGIONAL GOVERNOR FROM OFFICE OR OF HIS OR
 HER DEATH OR RESIGNATION,  THE  REGIONAL  LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR  FOR  THAT
 REGION SHALL BECOME REGIONAL GOVERNOR FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TERM.  IN
 CASE  THE  REGIONAL GOVERNOR IS OTHERWISE UNABLE TO DISCHARGE THE POWERS
 AND DUTIES OF HIS/HER OFFICE THE REGIONAL LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR  FOR  THAT
 REGION SHALL ACT AS REGIONAL GOVERNOR UNTIL THE INABILITY SHALL CEASE OR
 UNTIL  THE  TERM  OF  THE  REGIONAL  GOVERNOR  SHALL EXPIRE. IF BOTH THE
 REGIONAL GOVERNOR AND REGIONAL LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OFFICES FOR A  REGION
 ARE  VACANT  OR  OTHERWISE  UNABLE TO DISCHARGE THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF
 THEIR OFFICES, THAT REGION'S REGIONAL SECRETARY OF  STATE  SHALL  BECOME
 GOVERNOR,  AUTOMATICALLY RESIGNING AS A REGIONAL SECRETARY OF STATE UPON
 TAKING THE OATH AS REGIONAL GOVERNOR.  IF ALL THREE OFFICES  ARE  VACANT
 THAT  REGION'S  TEMPORARY SENATE PRESIDENT WILL BECOME GOVERNOR AUTOMAT-
 ICALLY RESIGNING AS A SENATOR AND TEMPORARY SENATE PRESIDENT UPON TAKING
 THE OATH AS REGIONAL GOVERNOR. EACH REGION SHALL BY REGIONAL LAW  DETER-
 MINE  HOW  AND WHO SHALL BECOME ACTING REGIONAL GOVERNOR IF THE REGIONAL
 GOVERNOR, REGIONAL LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, REGIONAL SECRETARY OF STATE  AND
 TEMPORARY  SENATE  PRESIDENT OFFICES ALL ARE VACANT OR ALL ARE OTHERWISE
 UNABLE TO DISCHARGE THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THEIR OFFICES. THE REGIONAL
 LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR SHALL BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE  REGIONAL  SENATE  FOR
 HIS/HER  REGION  BUT  SHALL HAVE ONLY A VOTE IF THEY BE EQUALLY DIVIDED.
 THE ELECTION LAW PETITION REQUIREMENTS FOR GETTING  ON  THE  BALLOT  FOR

 S. 5416                             8
 
 REGIONAL GOVERNOR, REGIONAL LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OR REGIONAL SECRETARY OF
 STATE  SHALL  BE THE SAME OR LESS STRICT THAN ARE FOR STATE COMPTROLLER.
 ANY PARTY CONVENTIONS  SHALL  BE  HELD  BY  REGION  FOR  THESE  REGIONAL
 OFFICES. THE SALARIES OF REGIONAL GOVERNOR, REGIONAL LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
 AND  REGIONAL  SECRETARY  OF  STATE  SHALL BE BY REGIONAL LAW. AFTER THE
 SALARY IS SET NO LAW VARYING THEIR COMPENSATION SHALL TAKE EFFECT  UNTIL
 AN ELECTION OF REGIONAL GOVERNOR SHALL HAVE INTERVENED.
   (B)  EVERY BILL WHICH SHALL HAVE PASSED THE REGIONAL SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY SHALL, BEFORE IT BECOMES A LAW, BE PRESENTED TO THE REGIONAL  GOVER-
 NOR  FOR  THAT REGION.  IF THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL GOVERNOR APPROVE, HE
 OR SHE SHALL SIGN IT; BUT IF NOT, HE OR SHE SHALL RETURN IT WITH HIS  OR
 HER  OBJECTIONS TO THE REGIONAL HOUSE IN WHICH IT SHALL HAVE ORIGINATED,
 WHICH SHALL ENTER THE OBJECTIONS AT LARGE ON THE JOURNAL, AND PROCEED TO
 RECONSIDER IT. IN EITHER CASE HE/SHE  SHALL  PLACE  A  COPY  OF  HIS/HER
 ACTIONS  ON  THE  INTERNET. IF AFTER SUCH RECONSIDERATION, TWO-THIRDS OF
 THE MEMBERS VOTING IN THAT REGIONAL HOUSE SHALL AGREE TO PASS THE  BILL,
 IT  SHALL  BE  SENT  TOGETHER WITH THE OBJECTIONS, TO THE OTHER REGIONAL
 HOUSE, BY WHICH IT SHALL LIKEWISE BE RECONSIDERED; AND  IF  APPROVED  BY
 TWO-THIRDS  OF  THE  MEMBERS  VOTING  IN  THAT  HOUSE, IT SHALL BECOME A
 REGIONAL LAW NOTWITHSTANDING THE OBJECTIONS OF THE APPROPRIATE  REGIONAL
 GOVERNOR.  IN  ALL SUCH CASES THE VOTES IN BOTH REGIONAL HOUSES SHALL BE
 DETERMINED BY YEAS AND NAYS, AND THE NAMES OF THE MEMBERS  VOTING  SHALL
 BE  ENTERED  ON  THE JOURNAL OF EACH REGIONAL HOUSE RESPECTIVELY. IF ANY
 BILL SHALL NOT BE RETURNED BY THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL  GOVERNOR  WITHIN
 TEN DAYS (SUNDAYS EXCEPTED) AFTER IT SHALL HAVE BEEN PRESENTED TO HIM OR
 HER,  THE  SAME SHALL BE A LAW IN LIKE MANNER AS IF HE OR SHE HAD SIGNED
 IT, UNLESS THE LEGISLATURE SHALL,  BY  THEIR  ADJOURNMENT,  PREVENT  ITS
 RETURN,  IN WHICH CASE IT SHALL NOT BECOME A LAW WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF
 THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL GOVERNOR. NO BILL SHALL BECOME A LAW AFTER  THE
 FINAL  ADJOURNMENT  OF  THE REGIONAL LEGISLATURE, UNLESS APPROVED BY THE
 GOVERNOR  WITHIN  THIRTY  DAYS  AFTER  SUCH  ADJOURNMENT.  IF  ANY  BILL
 PRESENTED TO THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL GOVERNOR CONTAINS SEVERAL ITEMS OF
 APPROPRIATION  OF MONEY, THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL GOVERNOR MAY OBJECT TO
 ONE OR MORE OF SUCH ITEMS WHILE APPROVING OF THE OTHER  PORTION  OF  THE
 BILL. IF A SINGLE ITEM OF APPROPRIATION SHALL EXCEED $250,000 THE APPRO-
 PRIATE REGIONAL GOVERNOR MAY REDUCE THE AMOUNT APPROPRIATED WITH HIS/HER
 OBJECTIONS. IN SUCH CASES THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL GOVERNOR SHALL APPEND
 TO  THE  BILL,  AT  THE  TIME OF SIGNING IT, A STATEMENT OF THE ITEMS TO
 WHICH HE OR SHE OBJECTS; AND THE APPROPRIATION SO OBJECTED TO SHALL  NOT
 TAKE  EFFECT. IF THE REGIONAL LEGISLATURE BE IN SESSION, HE OR SHE SHALL
 TRANSMIT TO THE REGIONAL HOUSE IN WHICH THE BILL ORIGINATED  A  COPY  OF
 SUCH  STATEMENT, AND THE ITEMS OBJECTED TO SHALL BE SEPARATELY RECONSID-
 ERED. IF ON RECONSIDERATION ONE OR MORE OF SUCH  ITEMS  BE  APPROVED  BY
 TWO-THIRDS OF THE MEMBERS VOTING IN EACH APPROPRIATE REGIONAL HOUSE, THE
 SAME  SHALL  BE  PART  OF THE LAW, NOTWITHSTANDING THE OBJECTIONS OF THE
 APPROPRIATE REGIONAL GOVERNOR.  ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH, IN
 RELATION TO BILLS NOT APPROVED BY  THE  APPROPRIATE  REGIONAL  GOVERNOR,
 SHALL APPLY IN CASES IN WHICH HE OR SHE SHALL WITHHOLD APPROVAL FROM ANY
 ITEM OR ITEMS CONTAINED IN A BILL APPROPRIATING MONEY.
   (C)  EACH REGIONAL GOVERNOR SHALL NOMINATE, AND BY AND WITH THE ADVICE
 AND CONSENT OF THE REGIONAL SENATE FOR  HIS/HER  REGION,  SHALL  APPOINT
 REGIONAL COMMISSIONERS, OTHER PUBLIC MINISTERS AND CONSULS, AUTHORITIES,
 AND  OTHER  GOVERNMENT  CONTROLLED  PUBLIC  CORPORATIONS  BOARD MEMBERS,
 REGIONAL EDUCATION COMMISSIONER, JUSTICES OF THE APPELLATE DIVISIONS  IN
 HIS  OR  HER  REGION FROM ELECTED SUPREME COURT JUSTICES IN THEIR REGION
 FOR THE REMAINDER OF THEIR ELECTED TERM, AND ALL  OTHER  REGIONAL  OFFI-

 S. 5416                             9
 
 CERS,  WHOSE  APPOINTMENTS  ARE  NOT  HEREIN OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, AND
 WHICH SHALL BE ESTABLISHED BY LAW. THOSE APPOINTED BY REGIONAL  GOVERNOR
 WITHOUT  A  FIXED TERM MAY BE REMOVED BY THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL GOVER-
 NOR;  BUT THE REGIONAL LEGISLATURE MAY BY REGIONAL LAW VEST THE APPOINT-
 MENT OF SUCH INFERIOR OFFICERS, AS THEY THINK PROPER, IN THEIR  REGIONAL
 GOVERNOR  ALONE,  IN  THE COURTS OF LAW, OR IN THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS.
 THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL GOVERNOR SHALL BE EMPOWERED TO SEEK  A  WARRANT
 IN A REGIONAL SUPREME COURT TO HAND OVER A CRIMINAL FUGITIVE FROM ANOTH-
 ER  STATE  OR  REGION  TO THE AGENTS OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW
 YORK TO ALLOW FOR THE FUGITIVE'S RETURN TO  THE  LOCATION  THE  FUGITIVE
 COMMITTED  THE  ALLEGED  CRIME.  THIS POWER CAN BE REGULATED BY REGIONAL
 LAW. EACH REGIONAL GOVERNOR SHALL BE EMPOWERED TO PARDON FOR  CIVIL  AND
 CRIMINAL  OFFENSES  OF  STATE,  REGIONAL  LAW OR LOCAL LAW THAT OCCURRED
 WITHIN HIS/HER REGION.
   (D) ANNUALLY, ON OR BEFORE THE FIRST MONDAY OF JANUARY  EACH  REGIONAL
 GOVERNOR  SHALL  PLACE  ON  THE  INTERNET AND SUBMIT TO HIS/HER REGIONAL
 LEGISLATURE A BUDGET CONTAINING A COMPLETE PLAN OF EXPENDITURES PROPOSED
 TO BE MADE BEFORE THE CLOSE OF THE ENSUING FISCAL YEAR  AND  ALL  MONEYS
 AND REVENUES ESTIMATED TO BE AVAILABLE THEREFOR, TOGETHER WITH AN EXPLA-
 NATION OF THE BASIS OF SUCH ESTIMATES AND RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO PROPOSED
 REGIONAL  LEGISLATION,  IF  ANY, WHICH THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL GOVERNOR
 MAY DEEM NECESSARY TO PROVIDE MONEYS AND  REVENUES  SUFFICIENT  TO  MEET
 SUCH PROPOSED EXPENDITURES. IT SHALL ALSO CONTAIN SUCH OTHER RECOMMENDA-
 TIONS  AND  INFORMATION  AS  THE  APPROPRIATE REGIONAL GOVERNOR MAY DEEM
 PROPER AND SUCH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW. AT THE
 TIME OF SUBMITTING THE BUDGET TO HIS/HER REGIONAL LEGISLATURE THE APPRO-
 PRIATE REGIONAL GOVERNOR SHALL SUBMIT A BILL OR BILLS CONTAINING ALL THE
 PROPOSED APPROPRIATIONS AND RE-APPROPRIATIONS INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET AND
 THE PROPOSED REGIONAL LEGISLATION, IF ANY, RECOMMENDED THEREIN. NO MONEY
 SHALL EVER BE PAID OUT OF A REGIONAL TREASURY OR ANY OF  ITS  FUNDS,  OR
 ANY  OF THE FUNDS UNDER ITS MANAGEMENT, EXCEPT IN PURSUANCE OF AN APPRO-
 PRIATION BY LAW; NOR UNLESS SUCH PAYMENT BE MADE WITHIN TWO  YEARS  NEXT
 AFTER THE PASSAGE OF SUCH APPROPRIATION ACT; AND EVERY SUCH LAW MAKING A
 NEW  APPROPRIATION  OR  CONTINUING  OR  REVIVING AN APPROPRIATION, SHALL
 DISTINCTLY SPECIFY THE SUM APPROPRIATED, AND THE OBJECT  OR  PURPOSE  TO
 WHICH  IT  IS TO BE APPLIED; AND IT SHALL NOT BE SUFFICIENT FOR SUCH LAW
 TO REFER TO ANY OTHER LAW TO FIX SUCH SUM.
   (E) THE REGIONAL SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EACH REGION SHALL  BE  ELECTED
 AT  THE  SAME  GENERAL ELECTION AS THE REGIONAL GOVERNOR AND HOLD OFFICE
 FOR THE SAME TERM.  THE REGIONAL SECRETARY OF STATE  SHALL  RUN  HIS/HER
 REGION'S  DEPARTMENT  OF  STATE  AND  SHALL  APPOINT WITH THE ADVICE AND
 CONSENT OF APPROPRIATE REGIONAL SENATE FOR HIS/HER REGION  THE  REGIONAL
 COMMISSIONER  OF  MOTOR  VEHICLES AND THE REGIONAL ATTORNEY-GENERAL, AND
 MAY REMOVE THEM. SHOULD THE OFFICE OF REGIONAL  SECRETARY  OF  STATE  BE
 VACANT  OR  HE/SHE BECOME REGIONAL GOVERNOR OR ACTING REGIONAL GOVERNOR,
 THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL SENATE WILL ELECT A REGIONAL SECRETARY OF STATE
 TO SERVE THE REMAINDER OF THE TERM.
   (F) THE REGIONAL BOARD OF ELECTIONS FOR EACH REGION SHALL REGULATE ALL
 ELECTIONS WITH THE LOCAL BOARDS OF ELECTIONS IN ITS  REGION.  THE  STATE
 BOARD  OF  ELECTIONS  SHALL COORDINATE AND FUND ELECTIONS FOR STATE WIDE
 OFFICES/ISSUES  AND  UNITED  STATES  OFFICES  WITH  REGIONAL  BOARDS  OF
 ELECTIONS.  BALLOTS  FOR  STATE  WIDE  OFFICES/ISSUES  AND UNITED STATES
 OFFICES SHALL BE A SEPARATE BALLOT SHEET  FROM  REGIONAL  OFFICES/ISSUES
 AND  LOCAL OFFICES/ISSUES. IN THE NEW AMSTERDAM AND MONTAUK REGIONS EACH
 COUNTY SHALL CONTINUE TO FUND A COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS.  STARTING  ON
 JULY  1ST,  AFTER THE REGIONAL GOVERNORS TAKE OFFICE FOR THE FIRST TIME,

 S. 5416                            10
 
 THE NEW AMSTERDAM AND MONTAUK REGIONAL BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND THE COUNTY
 BOARDS OF ELECTIONS SHALL CONDUCT ALL REGIONAL, LOCAL, SCHOOL  DISTRICT,
 VILLAGE,  FIRE  DISTRICT  AND OTHER LOCAL DISTRICT ELECTIONS IN A MANNER
 SET BY NEW AMSTERDAM OR MONTAUK REGIONAL LAW.
   §  5. AFTER THE REGIONAL GOVERNORS TAKE OFFICE FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE
 GOVERNORS' PANEL SHALL CONSIST OF THE STATE GOVERNOR  AND  THE  REGIONAL
 GOVERNORS. THE GOVERNORS' PANEL SHALL MEET WEEKLY TO DIVIDE DEPARTMENTS,
 TRANSFER  EMPLOYEES,  PROPERTY,  ASSETS  AS  DEFINED  IN THIS ARTICLE BY
 MAJORITY VOTE, AND DEBTS AS DEFINED IN THIS ARTICLE. AFTER AUGUST 1ST OF
 THE YEAR THE REGIONAL GOVERNORS TAKE OFFICE  FOR  THE  FIRST  TIME,  THE
 GOVERNORS'  PANEL  SHALL CONTINUE TO MEET AT LEAST ONCE A CALENDAR YEAR.
 THE COURT OF APPEALS SHALL HAVE  ORIGINAL  JURISDICTION  IF  A  REGIONAL
 GOVERNOR  APPEALS  A DECISION OF THIS GOVERNORS' PANEL OR TO BREAK A TIE
 VOTE OF THIS GOVERNORS' PANEL. WHEN A DEPARTMENT, OFFICE  OR  AGENCY  IS
 DIVIDED, ITS EMPLOYEES WILL BECOME EMPLOYEES OF THE REGION THEY PRIMARI-
 LY  WORK  IN,  OR  WHOSE ISSUES THEY PRIMARILY WORK ON. IF A DEPARTMENT,
 OFFICE OR AGENCY ONLY WORKS ON THE ISSUES OF A SINGLE REGION ITS EMPLOY-
 EES SHALL ALL BECOME EMPLOYEES OF THAT REGION.    EQUIPMENT,  MEDIA  AND
 VEHICLES  SHALL  BE  DIVIDED EQUITABLY. EACH MEMBER OF A STATE BOARD, OR
 COMMISSION WHICH IS DIVIDED SHALL REMAIN ON THE BOARDS, REGIONAL AUTHOR-
 ITY BOARDS, OR REGIONAL COMMISSIONS FOR THE REMAINDER  OF  HIS/HER  TERM
 ONLY  FOR THE REGION WHERE HE/SHE IS REGISTERED TO VOTE (IF THEY ARE NOT
 REGISTERED TO VOTE IN NEW YORK STATE THEIR SEAT SHALL BE VACANT  IN  ALL
 REGIONS). ANY VACANT SEATS WILL BE FILLED ACCORDING TO REGIONAL LAW. ANY
 DEPARTMENT/  OPERATIONS AND AGENCY/OFFICE WHOSE EMPLOYEES' PAY AND BENE-
 FITS ARE FULLY FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAY BE LEFT UNDER  STATE
 BY  THIS  GOVERNORS'  PANEL  AND  CONTINUE TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES WHILE
 UNDER THE STATE GOVERNOR'S CHAIN OF COMMAND. THE GOVERNORS' PANEL  SHALL
 CONTINUE  TO REVIEW WHETHER ANY CHANGES IN FEDERAL FUNDING HAVE OCCURRED
 THAT WOULD REQUIRE IT TO BE DIVIDED AT A LATER  DATE.  UNLESS  OTHERWISE
 STATED  IN  THIS  ARTICLE SUCH DIVISIONS SHALL BE COMPLETED BY APRIL 1ST
 AFTER THE REGIONAL GOVERNORS TAKE OFFICE FOR THE FIRST TIME.
   (A) THE OFFICE OF STATE ATTORNEY-GENERAL  IS  ABOLISHED  AND  ALL  ITS
 POWERS AND DUTIES GIVEN TO THE REGIONAL ATTORNEY-GENERALS. DEPARTMENT OF
 LAW  AND  OFFICE OF STATE ATTORNEY-GENERAL EMPLOYEES AND DUTIES SHALL BE
 DIVIDED BETWEEN THE REGIONAL ATTORNEY-GENERALS' DEPARTMENTS OF LAW.  FOR
 THE  PURPOSES  OF  THIS  CONSTITUTION, THE TERM "ATTORNEY-GENERAL" SHALL
 MEAN "APPROPRIATE REGIONAL ATTORNEY-GENERAL" WHEREVER IT APPEARS.
   (B) THE STATE COMPTROLLER SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO  AUDIT  EACH  REGION
 AND  CHARGE  THE  REGIONS THE REASONABLE COSTS RELATED TO PERFORMING THE
 AUDITS. THE STATE COMPTROLLER'S OTHER POWERS AND DUTIES OF  HIS  OR  HER
 OFFICE SHALL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE.
   (C)  THE  BOARD  OF REGENTS IS ABOLISHED AND ALL ITS POWERS AND DUTIES
 TRANSFERRED TO THE REGIONAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS. DEPARTMENT OF  EDUCA-
 TION  EMPLOYEES  SHALL BE DIVIDED BETWEEN THE REGIONAL EDUCATION DEPART-
 MENTS.
   (D) THE OFFICE OF GENERAL SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL  SERVICE,  AND
 STATE  BOARD OF ELECTIONS EMPLOYEES SHALL BE DIVIDED INTO FOUR SECTIONS,
 SOME REMAINING UNDER THE STATE AND THE REST BEING  TRANSFERRED  TO  EACH
 REGION.  DEPARTMENT  OF  TAX AND FINANCE EMPLOYEES SHALL ALSO BE DIVIDED
 INTO FOUR SECTIONS; PROVIDED THAT THOSE EMPLOYEES WHOSE  DUTIES  INVOLVE
 SALES  TAXES  SHALL  REMAIN  UNDER  THE  GOVERNOR  AND THE REST SHALL BE
 DIVIDED BETWEEN THE REGIONAL DEPARTMENTS OF TAX AND FINANCE.
   (E) THE DIVISION OF STATE POLICE IS ABOLISHED AND ITS EMPLOYEES  SHALL
 BE  DIVIDED  BETWEEN THE CAPITAL POLICE UNDER THE STATE (WHICH SHALL NOT

 S. 5416                            11
 
 HAVE MORE 50 OFFICERS), THE  NEW  AMSTERDAM  REGIONAL  POLICE  DIVISION,
 MONTAUK REGIONAL POLICE DIVISION, AND NEW YORK REGIONAL POLICE DIVISION.
   (F)  THE  FOLLOWING  DEPARTMENTS,  CORPORATIONS  OR  AUTHORITIES SHALL
 REMAIN PART OF NEW YORK STATE GOVERNMENT: COURT  OF  APPEALS,  COURT  OF
 CLAIMS,  OFFICE  OF  STATE COMPTROLLER (DEPARTMENT OF AUDIT AND CONTROL,
 NYS AND LOCAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM), GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, METRO-NORTH  COMMU-
 TER RAILROAD COMPANY AND LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD COMPANY WHOSE BOARDS WILL
 BE  NOMINATED  BY  STATE  GOVERNOR  AND CONFIRMED BY STATE SENATE, STATE
 COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL CONDUCT, AND  TEACHERS'  RETIREMENT  SYSTEM.  ALL
 OTHER  EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENTS,  OFFICES,  OR  AGENCIES NOT OTHERWISE SET
 FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE ABOLISHED AND THEIR DUTIES AND  EMPLOYEES
 SHALL  BE DIVIDED BETWEEN THE NEW REGIONAL DEPARTMENTS OR OFFICES OF THE
 SAME NAME.
   (G) UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED IN THIS ARTICLE, APPOINTMENTS FOR  DEPART-
 MENTS,  OFFICES  AND  AGENCIES SHALL BE MADE BY THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL
 GOVERNORS.  APPOINTMENTS FOR VACANT LOCAL OFFICES SHALL BE MADE  BY  THE
 APPROPRIATE REGIONAL GOVERNOR.
   (H)  (I)  AUTHORITIES, AND OTHER PUBLIC CORPORATIONS, WHO HAVE SOME OF
 THEIR BOARD MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR OR OTHER  NEW  YORK  STATE
 OFFICIALS,  AND  EXIST IN ONLY ONE REGION SHALL HAVE THEIR BOARD MEMBERS
 APPOINTED BY THAT REGION'S REGIONAL GOVERNOR.    AUTHORITIES  AND  OTHER
 GOVERNMENT  CONTROLLED  PUBLIC CORPORATIONS WHO HAVE SOME OF THEIR BOARD
 MEMBERS APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR OR OTHER  NEW  YORK  STATE  OFFICIALS  AND
 EXIST  IN  MORE  THAN ONE REGION SHALL BE DIVIDED INTO REGIONAL AUTHORI-
 TIES, OR REGIONAL GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED PUBLIC CORPORATIONS, BY JULY 1ST
 AFTER FIRST TIME  THE  REGIONAL  GOVERNORS  TAKE  OFFICE.  EACH  OF  NEW
 REGIONAL  AUTHORITIES  OR  REGIONAL  GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED PUBLIC CORPO-
 RATIONS SHALL TAKE OVER THE OWNERSHIP OF THE ASSETS, PROPERTY, AND LEAS-
 ES IN THEIR REGION. EQUIPMENT, MEDIA,  AND  VEHICLES  SHALL  BE  DIVIDED
 EQUITABLY,  WHILE DEBTS ARE DIVIDED IN PROPORTION TO EACH REGION'S POPU-
 LATION. THEY SHALL HAVE THEIR BOARD MEMBERS APPOINTED BY  THAT  REGION'S
 REGIONAL  GOVERNOR. IF SOME OR ALL OF THE BOARD MEMBERS OF THESE DIVIDED
 AUTHORITIES AND OTHER  GOVERNMENT  CONTROLLED  PUBLIC  CORPORATIONS  ARE
 APPOINTED BY LOCAL OFFICIALS, EACH LOCAL OFFICIAL MAY ONLY APPOINT BOARD
 MEMBERS  OF  NEW  REGIONAL AUTHORITIES OR REGIONAL GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED
 PUBLIC CORPORATIONS IN THE REGION THAT OFFICIAL SERVES.
   (II) SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, FIRE DISTRICTS OR VILLAGES THAT EXIST IN MORE
 THAN ONE REGION SHALL BE DIVIDED  ALONG  THE  REGIONAL  BOUNDARY  WITHIN
 THREE YEARS AFTER THE FIRST TIME THE REGIONAL GOVERNORS TAKE OFFICE. THE
 DIVIDED  DISTRICTS SHALL TAKE OVER THE OWNERSHIP OF THE ASSETS, PROPERTY
 AND LEASES IN THEIR REGION.  EQUIPMENT,  MEDIA  AND  VEHICLES  SHALL  BE
 DIVIDED  EQUITABLY,  WHILE  DEBTS SHALL BE DIVIDED IN PROPORTION TO EACH
 NEW DISTRICT'S/VILLAGE'S ASSESSED VALUE.  THE  STATE  COMPTROLLER  SHALL
 ASSIGN  EMPLOYEE(S)  TO  HELP  THE  DISTRICTS/VILLAGES DIVIDE ASSETS AND
 DEBTS.
   (I) THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK SHALL  BE  DIVIDED  BY  JULY  1ST
 AFTER  FIRST  ELECTION OF REGIONAL GOVERNORS. ALL CAMPUS, LOCATIONS, AND
 EMPLOYEES IN THE NEW AMSTERDAM REGION SHALL BE PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
 NEW AMSTERDAM AND ITS  BOARD(S)  APPOINTED  BY  NEW  AMSTERDAM  REGIONAL
 GOVERNOR  WITH  ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE NEW AMSTERDAM REGIONAL SENATE.
 THE NEW YORK AND MONTAUK REGIONS SHALL PAY AT  LEAST  $8,000  EVERY  SIX
 MONTHS  FOR  EACH  REGIONAL  RESIDENT ENROLLED FULL TIME IN A BACHELOR'S
 DEGREE PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW  AMSTERDAM,  FOR  A  MAXIMUM  OF
 EIGHT  PAYMENTS,  UNLESS  THEY SHALL BY NEW YORK OR MONTAUK REGIONAL LAW
 SET A HIGHER AMOUNT. ALL CAMPUS, LOCATIONS, AND EMPLOYEES IN THE MONTAUK
 REGION SHALL BE PART OF THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  MONTAUK  AND  ITS  BOARD(S)

 S. 5416                            12
 
 APPOINTED  BY  THE  MONTAUK REGIONAL GOVERNOR WITH ADVICE AND CONSENT OF
 THE MONTAUK REGIONAL SENATE. THE NEW  YORK  AND  NEW  AMSTERDAM  REGIONS
 SHALL  PAY  AT  LEAST $8,000 EVERY SIX MONTHS FOR EACH REGIONAL RESIDENT
 ENROLLED  FULL  TIME IN A BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
 MONTAUK, FOR A MAXIMUM OF EIGHT PAYMENTS, UNLESS THEY SHALL BY NEW  YORK
 OR  NEW  AMSTERDAM  REGIONAL  LAW  SET  A  HIGHER  AMOUNT.  ALL  CAMPUS,
 LOCATIONS, AND EMPLOYEES IN THE  NEW  YORK  REGION  INCLUDING  THE  CITY
 UNIVERSITY  OF  NEW YORK SHALL BE PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AND
 ITS BOARD(S) APPOINTED BY THE NEW YORK REGIONAL GOVERNOR WITH ADVICE AND
 CONSENT OF THE NEW YORK REGIONAL SENATE. THE NEW AMSTERDAM  AND  MONTAUK
 REGIONS  SHALL  PAY  AT  LEAST $8,000 EVERY SIX MONTHS FOR EACH REGIONAL
 RESIDENT ENROLLED FULL TIME  IN  A  BACHELOR'S  DEGREE  PROGRAM  AT  THE
 UNIVERSITY  OF  NEW  YORK,  FOR A MAXIMUM OF EIGHT PAYMENTS, UNLESS THEY
 SHALL BY NEW AMSTERDAM REGIONAL LAW SET A HIGHER AMOUNT.
   (J) (I) NEW YORK STATE OWNED  ASSETS,  ROADS  AND  BRIDGES,  PROPERTY,
 REVENUE,  TAXES  (OTHER  THAN  STATE  SALES TAXES), AND LEASES SHALL, BY
 APRIL 1 AFTER THE FIRST  ELECTION  OF  REGIONAL  GOVERNORS,  BECOME  THE
 ASSETS,  ROADS  AND BRIDGES, PROPERTY, REVENUE, TAXES, AND LEASES OF THE
 REGION OF WHICH THEY ARE LOCATED, EARNED, OR OF PERSONS FROM WHICH  THEY
 ARE  COLLECTED  RESIDE;  EXCEPT  THAT  IN THE CASE OF INCOME TAXES, IF A
 PERSON EARNS INCOME IN ONE REGION AND RESIDES  IN  ANOTHER  REGION,  THE
 REGION HE OR SHE EARNS THE INCOME IN SHALL GIVE HIM A TAX CREDIT FOR THE
 AMOUNT  OF  INCOME  TAXES  PAID IN THEIR HOME REGION ON THAT INCOME. THE
 FOLLOWING BUILDINGS AND ASSOCIATED LAND WILL  REMAIN  STATE  OWNED:  THE
 STATE  CAPITOL  BUILDING,  THE LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING, THE GOVERNOR
 ALFRED E SMITH BUILDING, STATE COMPTROLLER'S BUILDING AT 110  STATE  ST,
 STATE  COMPTROLLER'S  BUILDING  PARKING  GARAGE, SHERIDAN HOLLOW PARKING
 GARAGE, AND THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE MANSION, ALL LOCATED IN ALBANY, AND
 THE ADAM CLAYTON POWELL JR. STATE OFFICE BUILDING IN HARLEM.
   (II) ONE HALF OF STATE DEBT, INCURRED PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE  DATE  OF
 THIS  ARTICLE  SHALL  REMAIN  A  STATE  OBLIGATION; THE REST WILL BECOME
 REGIONAL DEBT AND SHALL BE DIVIDED IN  PROPORTION  EACH  REGION'S  POPU-
 LATION.  ANY  PAYMENTS  FOR  RETIREES  OF  THE  NEW YORK STATE AND LOCAL
 RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM SHALL REMAIN  A  STATE
 OBLIGATION. THE GOVERNORS' PANEL SHALL DESIGNATE TWO CORRECTIONAL FACIL-
 ITIES FOR MALES AND ONE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY FOR FEMALES LOCATED IN THE
 NEW  AMSTERDAM  REGION  TO  BE OWNED, RENTED, OR LEASED BY NEW AMSTERDAM
 REGION. THE REMAINING CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES LOCATED IN THE NEW AMSTER-
 DAM REGION SHALL BE DESIGNATED TO BE OWNED, RENTED, OR LEASED BY THE NEW
 YORK REGION OR THE MONTAUK REGION. THE EMPLOYEES IN  THESE  CORRECTIONAL
 FACILITIES  SHALL  BECOME  NEW  YORK  REGION EMPLOYEES OR MONTAUK REGION
 EMPLOYEES.  INMATES IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES SHALL BE DIVIDED SO  THAT
 THOSE  WHO  COMMITTED  THEIR  CRIMES  IN THE NEW YORK REGION SHALL SERVE
 THEIR TIME IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES OWNED, RENTED, OR  LEASED  BY  THE
 NEW YORK REGION; WHILE THOSE WHO COMMITTED THEIR CRIMES IN THE NEW AMST-
 ERDAM  REGION  SHALL  SERVE THEIR TIME IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES OWNED,
 RENTED, OR LEASED BY THE  NEW  AMSTERDAM  REGION  AND  WHILE  THOSE  WHO
 COMMITTED  THEIR  CRIMES IN THE MONTAUK REGION SHALL SERVE THEIR TIME IN
 CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES OWNED, RENTED, OR LEASED BY THE MONTAUK  REGION.
 INMATES  SHALL  BE TRANSFERRED TO APPROPRIATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES BY
 FEBRUARY 1, TWO YEARS AFTER THE REGIONAL GOVERNORS TAKE OFFICE  FOR  THE
 FIRST  TIME.  AFTER  THAT DATE A REGION HOLDING INMATE(S) THAT SHOULD BE
 TRANSFERRED MAY CHARGE THE APPROPRIATE REGION FOR COSTS OF  HOLDING  THE
 INMATE(S)  IN  THEIR  CORRECTIONAL  FACILITY.  PATIENTS  OR RESIDENTS IN
 MENTAL HOSPITALS, DEVELOPMENTAL CENTERS OR GROUP HOMES WHO ARE CURRENTLY
 PAID FOR BY THE STATE AND WHOSE ORIGINAL HOME ADDRESS IS IN A  DIFFERENT

 S. 5416                            13
 
 REGION  THAN SUCH MENTAL HOSPITAL, DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER OR GROUP HOME IS
 LOCATED SHALL HAVE THEIR COSTS PAID BY THEIR ORIGINAL HOME REGION.
   (K)  THE  OFFICE  OF  COURT  ADMINISTRATION SHALL BE DIVIDED INTO FOUR
 SECTIONS; SOME EMPLOYEES REMAINING UNDER THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE COURT OF
 APPEALS AND THE REST BEING TRANSFERRED TO EACH REGION.  THE DIVISION  OF
 MILITARY  AND  NAVAL AFFAIRS' NEW YORK NATIONAL GUARD AND EMPLOYEES WILL
 REMAIN UNDER THE NEW YORK STATE GOVERNOR  AS  COMMANDER  IN  CHIEF;  THE
 DIVISION  OF  MILITARY  AND  NAVAL AFFAIRS' NEW YORK GUARD AND EMPLOYEES
 SHALL BE DIVIDED INTO REGIONAL GUARDS WITH  EACH  REGIONAL  GOVERNOR  AS
 COMMANDER  IN  CHIEF.  EMPLOYEES AND PROPERTY OWNED OR LEASED FOR USE OF
 THE DIVISION OF MILITARY AND NAVAL AFFAIRS WILL BE DIVIDED  APPROPRIATE-
 LY.
   §  6.  REGIONAL  JUDICIARY.  (A)  THE NEW YORK REGIONAL GOVERNOR SHALL
 APPOINT, WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE NEW  YORK  REGIONAL  SENATE,
 COUNTY  JUDGES  AND/OR  SUPREME COURT JUSTICES IN THE NEW YORK REGION TO
 SERVE THE REMAINDER OF THEIR TERM OF OFFICE AS CHIEF JUSTICE OR  ASSOCI-
 ATE  JUSTICE ON NEW YORK REGIONAL SUPERIOR COURT. THERE SHALL BE A CHIEF
 JUSTICE AND FOUR ASSOCIATE JUSTICES ON THE NEW  YORK  REGIONAL  SUPERIOR
 COURT.  THE  NEW  YORK  REGIONAL SUPERIOR COURT SHALL HEAR APPEALS, IN A
 MANNER DEFINED BY NEW YORK REGIONAL LAW, FROM THE FIRST AND SECOND JUDI-
 CIAL DEPARTMENTS, ON REGIONAL LAWS OR LOCAL LAWS WITHIN THE  REGION  AND
 SHALL  HAVE  THE  FINAL  DETERMINATION IN INTERPRETING NEW YORK REGIONAL
 LAWS OR LOCAL LAWS AND WHETHER SUCH LAWS  ARE  CONSTITUTIONAL.  SALARIES
 AND  EXPENSES OF ALL COURTS IN THE FIRST AND SECOND JUDICIAL DEPARTMENTS
 SHALL BE SET AND PAID IN A MANNER DEFINED BY NEW YORK REGION LAW. WHEN A
 VACANCY OCCURS IN THE NEW YORK REGIONAL SUPERIOR COURT  OR  A  NEW  YORK
 REGIONAL  SUPREME  COURT  AND THE REGIONAL SENATE IS NOT IN SESSION, THE
 NEW YORK REGIONAL GOVERNOR SHALL CALL IT BACK IN A  SPECIAL  SESSION  TO
 FILL THE VACANCY.
   (B) THE NEW AMSTERDAM REGIONAL GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT, WITH THE ADVICE
 AND  CONSENT  OF THE NEW AMSTERDAM REGIONAL SENATE, COUNTY JUDGES AND/OR
 SUPREME COURT JUSTICES IN THE NEW AMSTERDAM REGION, TO SERVE THE REMAIN-
 DER OF THEIR TERM OF OFFICE AS CHIEF JUSTICE OR ASSOCIATE JUSTICE ON THE
 NEW AMSTERDAM REGIONAL SUPERIOR COURT. THERE SHALL BE  A  CHIEF  JUSTICE
 AND  FOUR  ASSOCIATE  JUSTICES  ON  THE  NEW AMSTERDAM REGIONAL SUPERIOR
 COURT. THE NEW AMSTERDAM REGIONAL SUPERIOR COURT SHALL HEAR APPEALS,  IN
 A  MANNER  DEFINED  BY  NEW  AMSTERDAM  REGIONAL LAW, FROM THE THIRD AND
 FOURTH JUDICIAL DEPARTMENTS ON REGIONAL LAWS AND SHALL  HAVE  THE  FINAL
 DETERMINATION  IN INTERPRETING NEW AMSTERDAM REGIONAL LAWS OR LOCAL LAWS
 AND WHETHER SUCH LAWS ARE CONSTITUTIONAL.  SALARIES AND EXPENSES OF  ALL
 COURTS  IN  THE  THIRD  AND FOURTH JUDICIAL DEPARTMENTS SHALL BE SET AND
 PAID IN A MANNER DEFINED BY NEW AMSTERDAM REGION  LAW.  WHEN  A  VACANCY
 OCCURS  IN  THE NEW AMSTERDAM REGIONAL SUPERIOR COURT OR A NEW AMSTERDAM
 REGIONAL SUPREME COURT AND THE REGIONAL SENATE IS NOT IN SESSION THE NEW
 AMSTERDAM REGIONAL GOVERNOR SHALL CALL IT BACK IN A SPECIAL  SESSION  TO
 FILL THE VACANCY.
   (C)  THE  MONTAUK REGIONAL GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT, WITH THE ADVICE AND
 CONSENT OF THE MONTAUK REGIONAL SENATE,  COUNTY  JUDGES  AND/OR  SUPREME
 COURT  JUSTICES  IN MONTAUK REGION; TO SERVE THE REMAINDER OF THEIR TERM
 OF OFFICE AS CHIEF JUSTICE OR ASSOCIATE JUSTICE ON THE MONTAUK  REGIONAL
 SUPERIOR  COURT.  THERE  SHALL  BE  A  CHIEF  JUSTICE AND FOUR ASSOCIATE
 JUSTICES ON THE MONTAUK REGIONAL SUPERIOR COURT.  THE  MONTAUK  REGIONAL
 SUPERIOR  COURT  SHALL  HEAR  APPEALS,  IN  A  MANNER DEFINED BY MONTAUK
 REGIONAL LAW, FROM FIFTH AND SIXTH JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT ON REGIONAL  LAWS
 AND  SHALL HAVE THE FINAL DETERMINATION IN INTERPRETING MONTAUK REGIONAL
 LAWS OR LOCAL LAWS AND WHETHER SUCH LAWS  ARE  CONSTITUTIONAL.  SALARIES

 S. 5416                            14

 AND  EXPENSES  OF  ALL COURTS IN THE FIFTH JUDICIAL DEPARTMENTS SHALL BE
 SET AND PAID IN A MANNER DEFINED BY MONTAUK REGIONAL LAW. WHEN A VACANCY
 OCCURS IN THE MONTAUK REGIONAL SUPERIOR  COURT  OR  A  MONTAUK  REGIONAL
 SUPREME  COURT  AND  THE  REGIONAL  SENATE IS NOT IN SESSION THE MONTAUK
 REGIONAL GOVERNOR SHALL CALL IT BACK IN A SPECIAL SESSION  TO  FILL  THE
 VACANCY.
   (D)  JUSTICES  OF  THE  APPELLATE  DIVISION  FIRST AND SECOND JUDICIAL
 DEPARTMENTS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE NEW YORK REGIONAL GOVERNOR.
   (E) JUSTICES OF THE  APPELLATE  DIVISION  THIRD  AND  FOURTH  JUDICIAL
 DEPARTMENTS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE NEW AMSTERDAM REGIONAL GOVERNOR.
   (F)  JUSTICES  OF  THE  APPELLATE  DIVISION  FIFTH  AND SIXTH JUDICIAL
 DEPARTMENTS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE MONTAUK REGIONAL GOVERNOR.
   (G) THE JURISDICTION OF EACH REGIONAL SUPERIOR COURT SHALL BE  LIMITED
 TO  THE  REVIEW OF QUESTIONS OF APPLICABLE UNITED STATES LAW, STATE LAW,
 REGIONAL LAW, LOCAL LAWS, RULES, CHARTERS,  ORDINANCES  OR  REGULATIONS,
 WHEN HEARING APPEALS FROM APPELLATE DIVISIONS; EXCEPT WHERE THE JUDGMENT
 IS  OF  DEATH WHERE APPEAL WILL BE TO THE COURT OF APPEALS, OR WHERE THE
 APPELLATE DIVISION WITHIN ITS REGION, ON REVERSING OR MODIFYING A  FINAL
 OR INTERLOCUTORY JUDGMENT IN AN ACTION OR A FINAL OR INTERLOCUTORY ORDER
 IN A SPECIAL PROCEEDING, FINDS NEW FACTS AND A FINAL JUDGMENT OR A FINAL
 ORDER  PURSUANT THERETO IS ENTERED. THE RIGHT TO APPEAL SHALL NOT DEPEND
 UPON THE AMOUNT INVOLVED. THE APPLICABLE REGIONAL SUPERIOR  COURT  SHALL
 ADOPT  AND  FROM  TIME  TO  TIME MAY AMEND A RULE TO PERMIT THE COURT TO
 ANSWER QUESTIONS OF REGIONAL LAW CERTIFIED TO IT BY THE SUPREME COURT OF
 THE UNITED STATES, A COURT OF APPEALS OF THE UNITED STATES OR AN  APPEL-
 LATE  COURT  OF LAST RESORT OF ANOTHER STATE, WHICH MAY BE DETERMINATIVE
 OF THE CAUSE THEN PENDING IN THE CERTIFYING COURT AND WHICH IN THE OPIN-
 ION OF THE CERTIFYING COURT ARE NOT CONTROLLED BY PRECEDENT IN THE DECI-
 SIONS OF THE COURTS OF THAT REGION. EACH REGION MAY BY REGIONAL LAW  SET
 UP A REGIONAL COURT OF CLAIMS, WHICH SHALL HAVE AT LEAST FIVE JUDGES THE
 ACTUAL  NUMBER  OF  JUDGES  SHALL  BE SET BY REGIONAL LAW.   THE TERM OF
 OFFICE SHALL BE TEN YEARS. THE TERMS SHALL  BE  STAGGERED  SO  AN  EQUAL
 NUMBER  OF  JUDGES  TERMS EXPIRE ON EVERY DECEMBER 31ST OF EVEN NUMBERED
 YEARS. AT LEAST THREE JUDGES MUST HEAR EACH CASE. THE  JUDGES  SHALL  BE
 APPOINTED  BY THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL GOVERNOR BUT MUST BE CONFIRMED BY
 THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL SENATE. THE COURT SHALL  HAVE  JURISDICTION  TO
 HEAR  AND DETERMINE CLAIMS AGAINST THAT REGION OR BY THAT REGION AGAINST
 THE CLAIMANT OR BETWEEN CONFLICTING CLAIMANTS AS THE  REGIONAL  LEGISLA-
 TURE  MAY  BY  REGIONAL  LAW  PROVIDE.  REGIONAL  LAW  MAY ALSO GIVE ITS
 REGIONAL COURT OF CLAIMS THE POWER TO HEAR CLAIMS  AGAINST  ANY  COUNTY,
 DISTRICT,  OR  OTHER  MUNICIPALITY  OVER A DOLLAR AMOUNT SET BY REGIONAL
 LAW.  JURY TRIALS SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED AT A REGIONAL  COURT  OF  CLAIMS.
 ANY  APPEALS MAY BE HEARD BY THE APPLICABLE REGIONAL SUPERIOR COURT. THE
 CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE APPLICABLE REGIONAL SUPERIOR  COURT  SHALL  BE  THE
 CHIEF  JUSTICE  OF  THAT REGION'S COURTS AND SHALL BE THE CHIEF JUDICIAL
 OFFICER OF THAT REGION'S UNIFIED COURT. IN EACH REGION THERE SHALL BE AN
 ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD OF THE COURTS WHICH  SHALL  CONSIST  OF  THE  CHIEF
 JUSTICE OF THE APPLICABLE REGIONAL SUPERIOR COURT AS CHAIRPERSON AND THE
 PRESIDING JUSTICE OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION OF THE SUPREME COURT OF EACH
 JUDICIAL  DEPARTMENT  WITHIN  THAT REGION. THE CHIEF JUSTICE SHALL, WITH
 THE ADVICE AND CONSENT  OF  THE  ADMINISTRATIVE  BOARD  OF  THE  COURTS,
 APPOINT  A  CHIEF  ADMINISTRATOR  OF THE COURTS IN THAT REGION WHO SHALL
 SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THAT REGIONAL CHIEF JUSTICE. THE REGIONAL CHIEF
 ADMINISTRATOR, ON BEHALF OF  THE  CHIEF  JUSTICE,  SHALL  SUPERVISE  THE
 ADMINISTRATION  AND  OPERATION  OF THE UNIFIED REGIONAL COURT SYSTEM. IN
 THE EXERCISE OF SUCH RESPONSIBILITY, THE REGIONAL CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OF

 S. 5416                            15
 
 THE COURTS SHALL HAVE SUCH POWERS AND DUTIES AS MAY BE DELEGATED TO  HIM
 OR  HER  BY  THAT  REGION'S CHIEF JUSTICE AND SUCH ADDITIONAL POWERS AND
 DUTIES AS MAY BE PROVIDED BY REGIONAL  LAW.  THE  CHIEF  JUSTICE,  AFTER
 CONSULTATION  WITH  THAT  REGION'S ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD, SHALL ESTABLISH
 STANDARDS AND ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES FOR GENERAL APPLICATION THROUGHOUT
 THAT REGION, WHICH SHALL BE SUBMITTED  BY  THE  CHIEF  JUSTICE  OF  THAT
 REGION'S  SUPERIOR  COURT, TOGETHER WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS, IF ANY, OF
 THAT REGION'S ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD. SUCH  STANDARDS  AND  ADMINISTRATIVE
 POLICIES  SHALL  BE PROMULGATED AFTER APPROVAL BY THAT REGION'S SUPERIOR
 COURT. WHEN A JUDGE IS APPOINTED TO A REGIONAL SUPERIOR COURT  AN  ADDI-
 TIONAL  NEW  JUDGE  POSITION  SHALL  BE TEMPORARILY CREATED IN THE TRIAL
 COURT FOR THE LENGTH OF THE APPOINTMENT AND FILLED BY ELECTION  TO  TAKE
 OVER  THE  VACANCY  PRODUCED BY THE APPOINTMENT TO THE REGIONAL SUPERIOR
 COURT. EACH REGION SHALL FUND ITS OWN COURTS. AFTER JANUARY 1, TWO YEARS
 AFTER THE REGIONAL GOVERNORS TAKE OFFICE FOR THE FIRST TIME  THE  NUMBER
 OF  JUDGES  ON  EACH  APPELLATE  DIVISION SHALL BE SET BY THE APPLICABLE
 REGION'S LAW.
   (H) A FOURTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT  SHALL  BE  CREATED  CONSISTING  OF
 DUTCHESS, ORANGE, AND PUTNAM COUNTIES. THIS 14TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT SHALL
 BE  PART OF THE THIRD JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT. A FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
 SHALL BE CREATED CONSISTING OF NASSAU COUNTY. A FIFTH  JUDICIAL  DEPART-
 MENT  SHALL  BE  CREATED  CONSISTING OF THE REMAINING PARTS OF THE TENTH
 JUDICIAL DISTRICT AND THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT. A SIXTH  JUDICIAL
 DEPARTMENT  SHALL  BE  CREATED  CONSISTING OF THE REMAINING PARTS OF THE
 NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT.
   (I) THE COURT OF APPEALS SHALL, AFTER EACH  FEDERAL  CENSUS  IS  TAKEN
 DECENNIALLY,  ALSO  DRAW  U.S.    CONGRESSIONAL  DISTRICTS  FOR THE NEXT
 ELECTION, BUT LIMIT THE NUMBER OF DISTRICTS CROSSING REGIONAL BOUNDARIES
 TO MAXIMUM OF THREE.
   (J) (I) THERE SHALL BE A UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM FOR EACH REGION  OF  THE
 STATE.  THE STATE-WIDE COURTS SHALL CONSIST OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, AND
 THE COURT OF CLAIMS.   THE  REGION-WIDE  COURTS  OF  EACH  REGION  SHALL
 CONSIST OF EACH REGION'S REGIONAL SUPERIOR COURT, SUPREME COURTS INCLUD-
 ING  THE  APPELLATE DIVISIONS THEREOF, THE COUNTY COURT, THE SURROGATE'S
 COURT AND THE FAMILY COURT, AS HEREINAFTER PROVIDED. THE  UNIFIED  COURT
 SYSTEM  FOR  EACH REGION SHALL ALSO INCLUDE THE DISTRICT, TOWN, CITY AND
 VILLAGE COURTS, WITHIN EACH REGION AS HEREINAFTER  PROVIDED.    THE  NEW
 YORK  REGIONAL  LEGISLATURE  SHALL  ESTABLISH IN AND FOR THE CITY OF NEW
 YORK, AS PART OF THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM  FOR  ITS  REGION,  A  SINGLE,
 CITY-WIDE  COURT  OF CIVIL JURISDICTION AND A SINGLE, CITY-WIDE COURT OF
 CRIMINAL JURISDICTION, AS HEREINAFTER PROVIDED, AND MAY UPON THE REQUEST
 OF THE MAYOR AND THE LOCAL LEGISLATIVE BODY OF THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK,
 MERGE THE TWO COURTS INTO ONE CITY-WIDE COURT OF BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL
 JURISDICTION.
   (II)  THE  COURT  OF  APPEALS,  THE  REGIONAL SUPERIOR COURTS, SUPREME
 COURTS INCLUDING  THE  APPELLATE  DIVISIONS  THEREOF,  THE  COURT(S)  OF
 CLAIMS,  THE  COUNTY COURT, THE SURROGATE'S COURT, THE FAMILY COURT, THE
 COURTS OR COURT OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL JURISDICTION OF THE  CITY  OF  NEW
 YORK,  AND  SUCH OTHER COURTS AS THE APPLICABLE REGIONAL LEGISLATURE MAY
 DETERMINE SHALL BE COURTS OF RECORD.
   (III) ALL PROCESSES, WARRANTS AND  OTHER  MANDATES  OF  THE  COURT  OF
 APPEALS,  AND THE COURT OF CLAIMS MAY BE SERVED AND EXECUTED IN ANY PART
 OF THE STATE. ALL PROCESSES, WARRANTS AND OTHER MANDATES OF THE REGIONAL
 SUPERIOR COURT, SUPREME COURTS INCLUDING THE APPELLATE DIVISIONS  THERE-
 OF,  THE COUNTY COURT, THE SURROGATE'S COURT, THE FAMILY COURT AND OTHER
 REGIONAL COURTS MAY BE  SERVED  AND  EXECUTED  ONLY  IN  THE  APPLICABLE

 S. 5416                            16
 
 REGION.  ALL  PROCESSES,  WARRANTS  AND  OTHER MANDATES OF THE COURTS OR
 COURT OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL JURISDICTION OF THE CITY OF  NEW  YORK  MAY,
 SUBJECT TO SUCH LIMITATION AS MAY BE PRESCRIBED BY THE NEW YORK REGIONAL
 LEGISLATURE,  BE SERVED AND EXECUTED IN ANY PART OF THE NEW YORK REGION.
 THE APPLICABLE REGIONAL LEGISLATURE MAY PROVIDE THAT PROCESSES, WARRANTS
 AND OTHER MANDATES OF THE DISTRICT COURT MAY BE SERVED AND  EXECUTED  IN
 ANY  PART  OF THE REGION AND THAT PROCESSES, WARRANTS AND OTHER MANDATES
 OF TOWN, VILLAGE AND CITY COURTS OUTSIDE THE CITY OF  NEW  YORK  MAY  BE
 SERVED  AND  EXECUTED IN ANY PART OF THE COUNTY IN WHICH SUCH COURTS ARE
 LOCATED OR IN ANY PART OF ANY ADJOINING COUNTY WITHIN THAT REGION.
   (IV) THE COURT OF APPEALS IS  CONTINUED.  EFFECTIVE  ON  DECEMBER  1ST
 AFTER  THE  REGIONAL  GOVERNORS ARE ELECTED FOR THE FIRST TIME, IT SHALL
 CONSIST OF THE ELEVEN JUDGES.  THOSE IN OFFICE ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE  OF
 THIS  ARTICLE  SHALL CONTINUE TO HOLD THEIR OFFICES UNTIL THE EXPIRATION
 OF THEIR RESPECTIVE TERMS. THE OFFICIAL TERMS OF THE  COURT  OF  APPEALS
 CHIEF JUDGE AND THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES SHALL BE FOURTEEN YEARS.  AFTER THE
 REGIONAL GOVERNORS ARE ELECTED FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE CHIEF JUDGE SHALL
 ASSIGN  EACH  ASSOCIATE JUDGE INTO CLASSES; THE FIRST CLASS SHALL BE THE
 CURRENT CHIEF JUDGE  AND  ONE  ASSOCIATE  JUDGE  WHOSE  SUCCESSORS  WILL
 CONTINUE  TO  BE  NOMINATED BY THE STATE GOVERNOR. THE CHIEF JUDGE SHALL
 ALSO CREATE ONE CLASS FOR EACH REGION WITH THREE (3) JUDGESHIPS IN  EACH
 CLASS; AND ASSIGN THE REMAINING ASSOCIATE JUDGES AND NEW OR VACANT SEATS
 EQUALLY  AMONG  THE  REGIONAL CLASSES; SO THEIR SUCCESSORS OR NEW JUDGES
 CAN BE NOMINATED BY THE REGIONAL GOVERNOR OF THE REGION OF  WHOSE  CLASS
 THEY  WERE  ASSIGNED.    THE  COURT  OF  APPEALS SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO
 APPOINT FROM ITS MEMBERS ITS CHIEF JUDGE WHO WILL SERVE AT THE  PLEASURE
 OF  THE  COURT.  THE COURT OF APPEALS SHALL HAVE POWER TO APPOINT AND TO
 REMOVE ITS CLERK. A MAJORITY OF THE COURT MAY DECIDE TO HEAR  OR  REJECT
 APPEALS  FROM A REGIONAL SUPERIOR COURT. TWO-THIRDS (2/3) MEMBERS OF THE
 COURT SHALL CONSTITUTE A QUORUM, AND THE CONCURRENCE OF AT LEAST  THREE-
 QUARTERS  (3/4)  OF FULL COURT OF APPEALS JUDGES SHALL BE NECESSARY TO A
 DECISION ON AN APPEAL FROM A REGIONAL SUPERIOR COURT; HOWEVER  WHEN  THE
 COURT  OF APPEALS HAS ORIGINAL JURISDICTION ONLY A MAJORITY VOTE WILL BE
 NEEDED FOR A DECISION. WHEN THE COURT OF APPEALS CANNOT REACH A DECISION
 THE LOWER COURT RULING IS UPHELD, EXCEPT WHERE THE JUDGMENT IS OF DEATH,
 WHERE THE COURT OF APPEALS MUST REACH A DECISION OR A LOWER COURT RULING
 ALLOWING DEATH IS OVERTURNED. THE POWERS AND JURISDICTION OF  THE  COURT
 SHALL NOT BE SUSPENDED FOR WANT OF APPOINTMENT WHEN THE NUMBER OF JUDGES
 IS SUFFICIENT TO CONSTITUTE A QUORUM.
   (V)  THE  COMMISSION  ON JUDICIAL NOMINATION MEMBERS SHALL BE REPLACED
 AND SHALL BE CHOSEN AS FOLLOWS: FOUR SHALL BE APPOINTED BY EACH REGIONAL
 GOVERNOR, FOUR BY THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS,  ONE  BY  THE
 REGIONAL  SPEAKER  OF  EACH REGIONAL ASSEMBLY, ONE BY REGIONAL TEMPORARY
 PRESIDENT OF EACH REGIONAL SENATE, ONE BY REGIONAL  MINORITY  LEADER  OF
 EACH  REGIONAL  SENATE,  AND  ONE  BY  REGIONAL  MINORITY LEADER OF EACH
 REGIONAL ASSEMBLY. OF THE FOUR MEMBERS APPOINTED BY EACH OF THE REGIONAL
 GOVERNORS, NO MORE THAN TWO SHALL BE  ENROLLED  IN  THE  SAME  POLITICAL
 PARTY,  TWO  SHALL BE MEMBERS OF THE BAR OF THE STATE OR REGION, AND TWO
 SHALL NOT BE MEMBERS OF THE BAR OF THE STATE  OR  REGION.  OF  THE  FOUR
 MEMBERS  APPOINTED  BY  THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, NO MORE
 THAN TWO SHALL BE ENROLLED IN THE SAME POLITICAL  PARTY,  TWO  SHALL  BE
 MEMBERS  OF THE BAR OF THE STATE OR REGION, AND TWO SHALL NOT BE MEMBERS
 OF THE BAR OF THE STATE OR REGION. NO MEMBER  OF  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL
 HOLD  OR HAVE HELD ANY JUDICIAL OFFICE OR HOLD ANY ELECTED PUBLIC OFFICE
 FOR WHICH HE OR SHE RECEIVES COMPENSATION DURING HIS OR  HER  PERIOD  OF
 SERVICE,  EXCEPT  THAT THE GOVERNOR AND THE CHIEF JUDGE MAY EACH APPOINT

 S. 5416                            17
 
 NO MORE THAN ONE FORMER JUDGE OR JUSTICE OF THE STATE OR REGIONAL  COURT
 SYSTEM  TO  SUCH  COMMISSION. NO MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION SHALL HOLD ANY
 OFFICE IN ANY POLITICAL PARTY. NO  MEMBER  OF  THE  JUDICIAL  NOMINATING
 COMMISSION  SHALL  BE ELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT TO JUDICIAL OFFICE IN ANY
 COURT OF THE STATE DURING THE MEMBER'S PERIOD OF SERVICE OR  WITHIN  ONE
 YEAR THEREAFTER.
   (VI) THE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE STATE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESI-
 DENT  OF THE SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE MINORITY LEADER
 OF THE SENATE SHALL BE REMOVED FROM THE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 1ST AFTER
 THE REGIONAL GOVERNORS ARE ELECTED FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE MEMBERS FIRST
 APPOINTED BY EACH REGIONAL GOVERNOR SHALL HAVE  RESPECTIVELY  ONE,  TWO,
 THREE  AND  FOUR  YEAR  TERMS AS THAT REGIONAL GOVERNOR SHALL DESIGNATE.
 EACH SUBSEQUENT APPOINTMENT BY A REGIONAL GOVERNOR SHALL BE FOR  A  TERM
 OF FOUR YEARS AND THOSE APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF JUDGE SHALL BE FOR A TERM
 OF  FOUR  YEARS.  THE  OTHER  MEMBERS  SHALL  HAVE  A TERM OF TWO YEARS.
 APPOINTMENTS TO FILL A VACANCY SHALL ONLY BE FOR THE  REMAINDER  OF  THE
 TERM.
   (VII)  THE  COMMISSION SHALL CONSIDER THE QUALIFICATIONS OF CANDIDATES
 FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE OFFICES OF JUDGE AND CHIEF JUDGE OF THE COURT  OF
 APPEALS AND, WHENEVER A VACANCY IN THOSE OFFICES OCCURS, SHALL PREPARE A
 WRITTEN  REPORT  AND  RECOMMEND  TO THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL GOVERNOR OR
 STATE GOVERNOR AT LEAST SEVEN PERSONS WHO ARE WELL QUALIFIED  FOR  THOSE
 JUDICIAL OFFICES.
   (VIII)  THE  APPROPRIATE  REGIONAL  GOVERNOR  SHALL  APPOINT, WITH THE
 ADVICE AND CONSENT OF HIS/HER REGIONAL SENATE, FROM AMONG LIST OF  THOSE
 RECOMMENDED  BY THE JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION, A PERSON TO FILL THE
 OFFICE OF COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE, WHENEVER A VACANCY OCCURS IN  A  COURT
 OF APPEALS IN A SEAT IN THE CLASS ASSIGNED TO HIS/HER REGION. THE APPRO-
 PRIATE  REGIONAL  GOVERNOR SHALL TRANSMIT TO HIS/HER REGIONAL SENATE THE
 WRITTEN REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL NOMINATION RELATING TO  THE
 NOMINEE;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, THAT NO PERSON MAY BE APPOINTED A JUDGE OF
 THE COURT OF APPEALS BY A REGIONAL GOVERNOR  UNLESS  SUCH  PERSON  IS  A
 RESIDENT OF THAT GOVERNOR'S REGION AND HAS BEEN ADMITTED TO THE PRACTICE
 OF  LAW  IN  THAT  REGION  OR  IN  THIS  STATE. THE STATE GOVERNOR SHALL
 APPOINT, WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE  STATE  SENATE,  FROM  AMONG
 THOSE  RECOMMENDED  BY  THE  JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION, A PERSON TO
 FILL THE OFFICE OF OF COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE WHENEVER A  VACANCY  OCCURS
 IN  A  COURT  OF  APPEALS  IN  SEAT IN FIRST CLASS ASSIGNED TO THE STATE
 GOVERNOR; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT NO PERSON MAY BE APPOINTED A JUDGE  OF
 THE COURT OF APPEALS BY THE STATE GOVERNOR UNLESS SUCH PERSON IS A RESI-
 DENT  OF  THE STATE AND HAS BEEN ADMITTED TO THE PRACTICE OF LAW IN THIS
 STATE OR A REGION WITHIN THIS STATE FOR AT LEAST TEN YEARS. THE GOVERNOR
 SHALL TRANSMIT TO THE SENATE THE WRITTEN REPORT  OF  THE  COMMISSION  ON
 JUDICIAL NOMINATION RELATING TO THE NOMINEE.
   (IX)  THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE
 REVIEW OF QUESTIONS OF LAW ON APPEAL  FROM  A  REGIONAL  SUPERIOR  COURT
 EXCEPT  WHERE  THE  JUDGMENT IS OF DEATH. THE COURT OF APPEALS WILL ONLY
 HEAR THOSE APPEALS WHERE AT LEAST TWO-THIRDS (2/3) OF COURT  OF  APPEALS
 JUDGES  VOTE  TO  HEAR  THE CASE. THE COURT OF APPEALS SHALL CONTINUE TO
 HAVE THE FINAL SAY IN INTERPRETING NEW YORK STATE LAW  AND  WHETHER  NEW
 YORK  STATE  LAWS  ARE  CONSTITUTIONAL  WHEN HEARING APPEALS ON NEW YORK
 STATE LAW FROM THE APPELLATE DIVISIONS. ALL APPEALS FROM  THE  APPELLATE
 DIVISIONS  ON  REGIONAL LAW, LOCAL LAW, REGIONAL CHARTER, REGIONAL REGU-
 LATION, OR LOCAL REGULATION MUST  FIRST  BE  HEARD  BY  THE  APPROPRIATE
 REGIONAL  SUPERIOR  COURT BEFORE BEING APPEALED TO THE COURT OF APPEALS.
 THE COURT OF APPEALS MAY ONLY REVERSE A REGIONAL SUPERIOR  COURT  RULING

 S. 5416                            18
 
 OR  A LOWER COURT RULING THAT A REGIONAL SUPERIOR COURT HAS LET STAND IF
 AT LEAST THREE-QUARTERS (3/4) OF COURT OF APPEALS JUDGES VOTE TO REVERSE
 THE RULING.  THE COURT OF APPEALS SHALL HAVE  ORIGINAL  JURISDICTION  OF
 ACTIONS OF ONE REGION AGAINST ANOTHER REGION.
   (X)  THE  STATE  SHALL  BE DIVIDED INTO SIX JUDICIAL DEPARTMENTS.  THE
 FIRST DEPARTMENT SHALL CONSIST OF THE  COUNTIES  WITHIN  THE  FIRST  AND
 TWELFTH  JUDICIAL  DISTRICTS  OF  THE STATE. THE SECOND DEPARTMENT SHALL
 CONSIST OF THE COUNTIES WITHIN THE SECOND,  NINTH,  ELEVENTH  AND  THIR-
 TEENTH  JUDICIAL  DISTRICTS  OF  THE  STATE.  THE THIRD DEPARTMENT SHALL
 CONSIST OF THE COUNTIES WITHIN THE THIRD, FOURTH, SIXTH  AND  FOURTEENTH
 JUDICIAL  DISTRICTS OF THE STATE. THE FOURTH DEPARTMENT SHALL CONSIST OF
 THE COUNTIES WITHIN THE FIFTH, SEVENTH AND EIGHTH JUDICIAL DISTRICTS  OF
 THE STATE. THE FIFTH DEPARTMENT SHALL CONSIST OF THE COUNTIES WITHIN THE
 TENTH  AND  FIFTEENTH  JUDICIAL DISTRICTS OF THE STATE. A SIXTH JUDICIAL
 DEPARTMENT SHALL BE CREATED CONSISTING OF REMAINING PARTS OF NINTH JUDI-
 CIAL DISTRICT IN ROCKLAND  AND  WESTCHESTER  COUNTIES.  EACH  DEPARTMENT
 SHALL  BE  BOUNDED  BY  THE  LINES OF JUDICIAL DISTRICTS. ONCE EVERY TEN
 YEARS THE APPLICABLE REGIONAL LEGISLATURE MAY ALTER  THE  BOUNDARIES  OF
 THE  JUDICIAL DEPARTMENTS IN ITS REGION, BUT WITHOUT CHANGING THE NUMBER
 THEREOF AND NO JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT MAY BE DRAWN IN SUCH A  WAY  TO  HAVE
 COUNTIES FROM MORE THAN A SINGLE REGION.
   (XI)  EACH  OF  THE JUSTICES OF THE APPELLATE DIVISIONS OF THE SUPREME
 COURT ARE CONTINUED AS JUSTICES AND SHALL SERVE IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  AND
 REGION THEY RESIDE.  APPELLATE DIVISIONS OF THE SUPREME COURT SHALL HAVE
 NAME  OF  ITS REGION, AND SHALL CONSIST OF AT LEAST FIVE JUSTICES OF THE
 SUPREME COURT BUT THE EXACT NUMBER IN EACH DEPARTMENT SHALL  BE  SET  BY
 APPLICABLE REGION'S LAW. IN EACH APPELLATE DIVISION, FOUR JUSTICES SHALL
 CONSTITUTE  A QUORUM, AND THE CONCURRENCE OF THREE SHALL BE NECESSARY TO
 A DECISION. NO MORE THAN FIVE JUSTICES SHALL SIT IN ANY CASE.
   (XII) THE JUSTICES OF EACH APPELLATE DIVISION SHALL BE  DESIGNATED  BY
 THE  APPROPRIATE REGIONAL GOVERNOR, FROM ALL THE JUSTICES ELECTED TO THE
 SUPREME COURT FOR TERMS OF FIVE YEARS OR THE UNEXPIRED PORTIONS OF THEIR
 RESPECTIVE TERMS OF OFFICE, IF LESS THAN FIVE YEARS,  AND  EACH  JUSTICE
 DURING  HIS OR HER TERM OF OFFICE SHALL BE A RESIDENT OF THE DEPARTMENT.
 THE JUSTICES OF  EACH  APPELLATE  DIVISION  SHALL  ELECT  THE  PRESIDING
 JUSTICE  OF  THEIR  APPELLATE  DIVISION,  FOR  A TWO YEAR TERM. UNTIL AN
 ELECTION IS HELD THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL GOVERNOR  SHALL  DESIGNATE  AN
 ACTING PRESIDING JUSTICE.
   (XIII)  THE  STATE  SHALL  BE DIVIDED INTO JUDICIAL DISTRICTS.  UNLESS
 OTHERWISE STATED IN THIS ARTICLE ALL JUDICIAL DISTRICTS  SHALL  CONTINUE
 TO  KEEP  THE SAME BOUNDARIES THAT EXISTED PRIOR TO THE ADOPTION OF THIS
 ARTICLE UNLESS MODIFIED ACCORDING TO SECTION 6 OF  ARTICLE  VI.  IF  ANY
 JUDICIAL  DISTRICT  EXISTS  IN  MORE THAN ONE REGION IT SHALL BE DIVIDED
 INTO SEPARATE DISTRICTS ALONG THE REGIONAL BOUNDARY.
   (XIV) ONCE EVERY TEN YEARS THE  APPLICABLE  REGIONAL  LEGISLATURE  MAY
 INCREASE  OR  DECREASE  THE  NUMBER  OF  JUDICIAL DISTRICTS OR ALTER THE
 COMPOSITION  OF  JUDICIAL  DISTRICTS  AND  THEREUPON  RE-APPORTION   THE
 JUSTICES  TO  BE THEREAFTER ELECTED IN THE JUDICIAL DISTRICTS SO ALTERED
 AND/OR ASSIGN JUDICIAL DISTRICTS TO  A  DIFFERENT  JUDICIAL  DEPARTMENT.
 EACH  JUDICIAL  DISTRICT  SHALL  BE BOUNDED BY COUNTY LINES. NO JUDICIAL
 DISTRICT MAY BE DRAWN IN SUCH A WAY TO HAVE COUNTIES FROM  MORE  THAN  A
 SINGLE REGION OR BE ASSIGNED TO JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT NOT CONTAINED WITHIN
 ITS REGION.
   (XV) EACH SUPREME COURT SHALL HAVE THE NAME OF ITS REGION ADDED TO THE
 BEGINNING OF ITS TITLE.

 S. 5416                            19
 
   (XVI)  THE  PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL IN NO WAY LIMIT OR IMPAIR
 THE JURISDICTION OF THE REGIONAL SUPREME COURT AS SET FORTH  IN  SECTION
 SEVEN  OF  THIS  ARTICLE.   ALL PROCEEDINGS OF THE FAMILY COURT SHALL BE
 OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, HOWEVER THE COURT MAY REQUIRE THAT  ONLY  THE  FIRST
 NAMES  OF THE MINORS AND THEIR PARENTS OR THEIR RELATIVES BE USED IN ITS
 PROCEEDINGS AND SHALL PROHIBIT VIDEO AND PHOTO(S) OF ITS PROCEEDINGS.
   (XVII) THE STATE LEGISLATURE MAY PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER  OF  TRIAL  OF
 ACTIONS  AND  PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE. THE APPRO-
 PRIATE REGIONAL LEGISLATURE MAY PROVIDE  BY  REGIONAL  LAW  WHAT  CLAIMS
 AGAINST  ITS  REGION  OR  LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MAY BE HEARD BY ITS REGIONAL
 COURT OF CLAIMS AND WHETHER A JURY TRIAL WILL BE ALLOWED.
   (XVIII) EACH COURT SHALL EXERCISE  JURISDICTION  OVER  ANY  ACTION  OR
 PROCEEDING  TRANSFERRED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, BUT NO ACTION OR
 PROCEEDING SHALL EVER BE TRANSFERRED OUT OF ITS ORIGINAL REGION.
   (XIX) THERE SHALL BE A COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL CONDUCT. THE  COMMISSION
 ON  JUDICIAL  CONDUCT  SHALL  RECEIVE,  INITIATE,  INVESTIGATE  AND HEAR
 COMPLAINTS WITH RESPECT  TO  THE  CONDUCT,  QUALIFICATIONS,  FITNESS  TO
 PERFORM OR PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL DUTIES OF ANY JUDGE OR JUSTICE OF THE
 UNIFIED  COURT  SYSTEM, IN THE MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW; AND MAY DETERMINE
 THAT A JUDGE OR JUSTICE BE ADMONISHED, CENSURED OR REMOVED  FROM  OFFICE
 FOR CAUSE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE, PERSIST-
 ENT  FAILURE  TO  PERFORM  HIS OR HER DUTIES, HABITUAL INTEMPERANCE, AND
 CONDUCT, ON OR OFF THE  BENCH,  PREJUDICIAL  TO  THE  ADMINISTRATION  OF
 JUSTICE,  OR  THAT  A JUDGE OR JUSTICE BE RETIRED FOR MENTAL OR PHYSICAL
 DISABILITY PREVENTING THE PROPER PERFORMANCE  OF  HIS  OR  HER  JUDICIAL
 DUTIES.  THE  COMMISSION  SHALL TRANSMIT SUCH DETERMINATION TO THE CHIEF
 JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS WHO SHALL CAUSE  WRITTEN  NOTICE  OF  SUCH
 DETERMINATION  TO  BE GIVEN TO THE JUDGE OR JUSTICE INVOLVED. SUCH JUDGE
 OR JUSTICE MAY EITHER ACCEPT  THE  COMMISSION'S  DETERMINATION  OR  MAKE
 WRITTEN  REQUEST  TO  THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS IF PART OF
 STATE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM OR CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE APPROPRIATE  REGIONAL
 SUPERIOR  COURT  IF PART OF REGIONAL UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM, WITHIN THIRTY
 DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF SUCH NOTICE, FOR A REVIEW OF SUCH DETERMINATION BY
 THE COURT OF APPEALS OR THE APPROPRIATE  REGIONAL  SUPERIOR  COURT.  ANY
 COMPLAINT  ABOUT  A JUSTICE WHO IS A MEMBER OF A REGIONAL SUPERIOR COURT
 SHALL BE REFERRED TO THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  APPLICABLE  REGIONAL  SENATE
 COMMITTEE(S)  FOR  INVESTIGATION  AND  APPROPRIATE ACTION. ANY COMPLAINT
 ABOUT A JUDGE WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE COURT OF APPEALS SHALL BE  REFERRED
 TO  ALL MEMBERS OF THE APPLICABLE STATE SENATE COMMITTEE(S) FOR INVESTI-
 GATION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION, AS THIS COMMISSION  ON  JUDICIAL  CONDUCT
 SHALL HAVE NO JURISDICTION OVER THEM. THE COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL CONDUCT
 MEMBERS  SHALL BE REPLACED AND SHALL BE CHOSEN AS FOLLOWS: FOUR SHALL BE
 APPOINTED BY EACH REGIONAL GOVERNOR,  ONE  BY  EACH  REGIONAL  TEMPORARY
 PRESIDENT OF THE REGIONAL SENATES, ONE BY THE MINORITY LEADER OF EACH OF
 THE  REGIONAL  SENATES,  ONE BY EACH SPEAKER OF THE REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES,
 ONE BY THE MINORITY LEADER OF EACH OF THE REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES AND  THREE
 BY  THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS. OF THE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY
 THE REGIONAL GOVERNORS NONE SHALL BE A MEMBER OF THE BAR OF THE STATE OR
 REGION NOR A JUDGE OR JUSTICE.  OF THE MEMBERS APPOINTED  BY  THE  CHIEF
 JUDGE  ALL  SHALL  BE MEMBERS OF THE BAR OF THE STATE OR REGION. NONE OF
 THE PERSONS TO BE APPOINTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SHALL BE JUSTICES
 OR JUDGES OR RETIRED JUSTICES OR JUDGES. THE CHIEF  JUDGE  OF  COURT  OF
 APPEALS  SHALL  BREAK ANY TIE VOTES OF THE COMMISSION WITHIN THREE DAYS.
 THE PERSONS FIRST APPOINTED BY EACH REGIONAL GOVERNOR SHALL HAVE RESPEC-
 TIVELY ONE, TWO, THREE, AND FOUR-YEAR TERMS AS THE  APPLICABLE  REGIONAL
 GOVERNOR  SHALL DESIGNATE. THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS SHALL

 S. 5416                            20
 
 DESIGNATE REMAINING TERMS OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION  IN  SUCH  A  WAY
 THAT NO MORE THAN ONE QUARTER OF PERSONS APPOINTED SHALL HAVE THEIR TERM
 EXPIRE  IN  ANY  GIVEN  YEAR.  EACH  MEMBER  OF  THE COMMISSION SHALL BE
 APPOINTED  THEREAFTER  FOR  A  TERM  OF FOUR YEARS.   A VACANCY SHALL BE
 FILLED BY THE APPOINTING OFFICER FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TERM.
   (XX) JUDGES OF THE COURT OF APPEALS AND JUDGES OF THE COURT OF  CLAIMS
 MAY  BE  REMOVED  BY  CONCURRENT  RESOLUTION OF BOTH HOUSES OF THE STATE
 LEGISLATURE, IF THREE-FIFTHS OF ALL THE MEMBERS ELECTED  TO  EACH  HOUSE
 CONCUR THEREIN.
   (XXI) JUSTICES OF THE REGIONAL SUPERIOR COURT, JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME
 COURT,  JUDGES  OF  THE  REGIONAL COURT OF CLAIMS, THE COUNTY COURT, THE
 SURROGATE'S COURT, THE FAMILY COURT, THE COURTS FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK
 ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE, THE DISTRICT COURT AND SUCH  OTHER
 COURTS  AS THE LEGISLATURE MAY DETERMINE, MAY BE REMOVED BY THE APPLICA-
 BLE REGIONAL SENATE, ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF  THE  APPLICABLE  REGIONAL
 GOVERNOR,  IF  THREE-FIFTHS  OF  ALL THE MEMBERS ELECTED TO THE REGIONAL
 SENATE CONCUR THEREIN.
   (XXII) TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENTS OF ALL THE FOREGOING JUDGES  OR  JUSTICES
 LISTED  IN THIS SECTION, AND OF JUDGES OF THE CITY COURTS, SHALL BE MADE
 BY THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OF THE COURTS IN ACCORD-
 ANCE WITH ESTABLISHED REGIONAL STANDARDS  AND  ADMINISTRATIVE  POLICIES,
 BUT NO JUDGE OR JUSTICE SHALL BE ASSIGNED OUTSIDE HIS/HER REGION.
   (XXIII) (1) THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS SHALL BE THE CHIEF
 JUDGE  OF  THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND SHALL BE THE CHIEF JUDICIAL OFFICER
 OF THE STATE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM CONSISTING OF THE  COURT  OF  APPEALS,
 THE  COURT OF CLAIMS AND THE STATE COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL CONDUCT. THERE
 SHALL BE AN ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD OF THE COURTS WHICH  SHALL  CONSIST  OF
 THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS AS CHAIRPERSON AND TWO ASSOCIATE
 JUDGES  OF  THE  COURT OF APPEALS SELECTED BY THE COURT. THE CHIEF JUDGE
 SHALL, WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE  BOARD  OF  THE
 COURTS,  APPOINT  A  CHIEF  ADMINISTRATOR  OF THE STATE COURTS WHO SHALL
 SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE CHIEF JUDGE.
   (2) THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OF THE STATE COURTS SHALL KEEP  AN  UP  TO
 DATE  VERSION  OF  THE NEW YORK STATE CONSTITUTION, NEW YORK STATE LAWS,
 CHARTERS, RULES AND REGULATIONS ON THE COURT'S WEBSITE; AND LINKS TO ALL
 REGIONAL CHIEF ADMINISTRATORS  OF  REGIONAL  COURTS'  WEBSITES  AND  ALL
 REGIONAL  SECRETARY  OF STATE WEBSITES. EACH REGION'S SECRETARY OF STATE
 SHALL KEEP ON A REGIONAL DEPARTMENT OF STATE WEBSITE UP TO DATE VERSIONS
 OF THE NEW YORK STATE CONSTITUTION, THAT REGION'S LAWS, CHARTERS,  RULES
 AND  REGULATIONS,  LOCAL  CHARTERS, LAWS, ORDINANCES AND RULES AND REGU-
 LATIONS WITHIN THAT REGION.
   (XXIV) THE STATE LEGISLATURE SHALL PROVIDE FOR THE ALLOCATION  OF  THE
 COST  OF  OPERATING  AND  MAINTAINING THE COURT OF APPEALS, THE COURT OF
 CLAIMS, THE JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION, AND THE STATE COMMISSION  ON
 JUDICIAL  CONDUCT.  EACH  REGION SHALL FUND ITS OWN COURTS; THE REGIONAL
 SUPERIOR COURT, THE APPELLATE DIVISION OF  THE  SUPREME  COURT  IN  EACH
 JUDICIAL  DEPARTMENT,  THE SUPREME COURTS, THE COUNTY COURTS, THE SURRO-
 GATE'S COURTS, THE FAMILY COURTS, THE COURTS FOR THE CITY  OF  NEW  YORK
 AND THE DISTRICT COURTS.
   § 7. FULL FAITH AND CREDIT SHALL BE GIVEN IN EACH REGION TO THE PUBLIC
 ACTS,  RECORDS, LICENSES, PERMITS, AND JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE OTHER
 REGIONS. THE STATE LEGISLATURE MAY BY STATE LAWS PRESCRIBE THE MANNER IN
 WHICH SUCH ACTS, RECORDS, AND  PROCEEDINGS  SHALL  BE  PROVED,  AND  THE
 EFFECT  THEREOF.  LICENSES  AND  PERMITS  PREVIOUSLY ISSUED BY THE STATE
 SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL THEIR EXPIRATION DATE,  WHEN  THEY  MAY  BE
 RENEWED WITH THE REGION.

 S. 5416                            21
 
   §  8.  THIS  NEW  ARTICLE  XX SHALL SUPERSEDE ANY PART OF THE NEW YORK
 STATE CONSTITUTION IT CONFLICTS WITH. IF ANY PART OF THIS  AMENDMENT  IS
 FOUND  TO  BE  UNCONSTITUTIONAL BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION THE
 REMAINDER SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT.
   §  2. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That article 9 of the consti-
 tution be amended by adding a new section 4 to read as follows:
   § 4. OWNERS OF PARCELS OF LAND THAT ARE ADJACENT TO EACH OTHER OR ONLY
 SEPARATED BY A ROAD, HIGHWAY, RAILROAD, BODY OF WATER, AND/OR A  WATERC-
 OURSE  WITHIN A SINGLE COUNTY MAY SEPARATE FROM ANY CITY (CITIES) AND/OR
 TOWN(S) WHOSE JURISDICTION THE LAND IS CURRENTLY UNDER, AND  INCORPORATE
 A  NEW  TOWN. FIRST, THE OWNERS MUST DRAW UP A MAP AND PREPARE A CHARTER
 OF THE PROPOSED TOWN AND HAVE ONE FIFTH (1/5) OF THE OWNERS OF  LAND  IN
 THE  PROPOSED  NEW TOWN SIGN A PETITION AGREEING TO THE MAP AND CHARTER.
 THE PROPOSED TOWN MUST HAVE AT LEAST TWO THOUSAND (2000) PEOPLE RESIDING
 IN IT. THE CHARTER THEY DRAFT SHALL DESCRIBE HOW ANY SPECIAL DISTRICT(S)
 WILL BE AFFECTED AND WHEN THE CHARTER WILL  TAKE  EFFECT  AND  WHEN  THE
 SPECIAL  ELECTION  TO  FILL OFFICES CREATED FOR THE FIRST TIME UNDER THE
 CHARTER WILL BE HELD. SECOND THE MAP, CHARTER AND PETITION MUST BE FILED
 WITH THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS WHERE THE PROPOSED  TOWN  WILL  EXIST
 BEFORE  SEPTEMBER  1ST  OF ANY YEAR. THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS SHALL
 THEN SCHEDULE A VOTE ON THE PROPOSED TOWN ON THE NEXT  ELECTION  DAY  IN
 NOVEMBER.    ONLY VOTERS WHO RESIDE WITHIN THE PROPOSED TOWN MAY VOTE ON
 CREATING IT. IF A MAJORITY OF THOSE VOTING APPROVE IT THE NEW TOWN  WILL
 BE  CREATED  AND  WILL  CEASE  TO BE PART OF THE MUNICIPALITY OR MUNICI-
 PALITIES IT SEPARATES FROM THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE  NEW  TOWN'S  OFFICIALS
 TAKE  OFFICE.  THE  NEW  TOWN  AND THE MUNICIPALITY OR MUNICIPALITIES IT
 SEPARATES FROM SHOULD NEGOTIATE FAIR PRICES FOR WATER,  SEWER  OR  OTHER
 SERVICES  THAT  MUST  CONTINUE  TO  BE SHARED. IF AN AGREEMENT CANNOT BE
 REACHED EITHER MAY PETITION THE APPELLATE DIVISION OF SUPREME  COURT  TO
 SET  THE  PRICES  FOR  UP  TO FOUR YEARS AT A TIME.  SHOULD ANYONE GO TO
 COURT TO BLOCK THE CREATION OF THE NEW TOWN AND NOT PREVAIL  THEY  SHALL
 PAY  THE REASONABLE LEGAL FEES AND COURT COSTS OF THOSE TRYING TO CREATE
 THE NEW TOWN.
   § 3. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That article 8 of the  consti-
 tution  be  amended  by  adding  two new sections 2-b and 2-c to read as
 follows:
   § 2-B. IN THE NEW AMSTERDAM REGION AND MONTAUK REGION THE FISCAL  YEAR
 OF  ANY  COUNTY,  CITY, TOWN, VILLAGE OR OTHER DISTRICT EXCLUDING SCHOOL
 AND LIBRARY DISTRICTS SHALL BE FROM DECEMBER 1ST TO NOVEMBER 30TH OF THE
 FOLLOWING YEAR. WHENEVER A PROPOSED BUDGET  INCREASE  SHALL  EXCEED  TWO
 PERCENT  (2%) FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S BUDGET OR A PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX
 RATE INCREASE SHALL EXCEED TWO PERCENT (2%)  FROM  THE  PREVIOUS  YEAR'S
 PROPERTY  TAX  RATE;  THE  PROPOSED  BUDGET  AND/OR  PROPERTY  TAX  RATE
 INCREASED SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THEIR VOTERS FOR A YES OR  NO  VOTE,  ON
 ELECTION DAY IN NOVEMBER. SIXTY (60) PERCENT OF VOTERS VOTING ON IT MUST
 VOTE YES FOR IT TO BE APPROVED. IF APPROVED THE BUDGET SHALL TAKE EFFECT
 AT  THE  START  OF  FISCAL  YEAR AND PROPERTY TAXES WILL BE COLLECTED AS
 DEFINED BY LAW; HOWEVER IF DEFEATED OR NO BUDGET/PROPERTY TAX RATE  VOTE
 WAS  HELD, THE BUDGET THAT COUNTY, CITY, TOWN, VILLAGE OR OTHER DISTRICT
 EXCLUDING SCHOOL DISTRICTS MUST HAVE A BUDGET INCREASE OF LESS THAN  TWO
 PERCENT  (2%)  AND  THE PROPERTY TAX RATE INCREASE MUST BE LESS THAN TWO
 PERCENT (2%).  REGIONAL LAWS MAY BE ENACTED TO ENFORCE THIS SECTION.
   § 2-C. IN THE NEW AMSTERDAM REGION AND MONTAUK REGION THE FISCAL  YEAR
 OF  ALL SCHOOL AND LIBRARY DISTRICTS SHALL BE FROM JULY 1ST TO JUNE 30TH
 OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR. THE SCHOOL  BUDGET  SHALL  BE  SUBMITTED  TO  THE
 VOTERS,  FOR  A YES OR NO VOTE, ON A DAY IN MAY OR JUNE THAT IS SELECTED

 S. 5416                            22
 
 BY LAW AND ANY PRIMARIES HELD DURING MAY OR JUNE WILL OCCUR ON THE  SAME
 DAY  AT  SAME  ELECTION DISTRICT POLLING PLACES WITH THE SAME POLL HOURS
 STATEWIDE. IF A PROPOSED BUDGET INCREASE SHALL EXCEED TWO  PERCENT  (2%)
 FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S BUDGET OR A PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX RATE INCREASE
 SHALL  EXCEED  TWO  PERCENT  (2%)  FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S PROPERTY TAX
 RATE, SIXTY (60) PERCENT OF VOTERS VOTING MUST VOTE YES  FOR  IT  TO  BE
 APPROVED.  IF  THE  BUDGET IS APPROVED IT WILL TAKE EFFECT AS DEFINED BY
 LAW. IF A SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET IS DEFEATED A CONTINGENCY  BUDGET  WILL
 BE  ADOPTED; THE AMOUNT OF ANY CONTINGENCY BUDGET INCREASE SHALL BE LESS
 THAN TWO PERCENT (2%), PER ENROLLED STUDENT  AS  OF  JULY  1ST.    IF  A
 LIBRARY  DISTRICT  BUDGET  IS  DEFEATED  THE DISTRICT MUST HAVE A BUDGET
 INCREASE OF LESS THAN  TWO  PERCENT  (2%)  AND  THE  PROPERTY  TAX  RATE
 INCREASE  MUST  BE  LESS  THAN  TWO  PERCENT  (2%). REGIONAL LAWS MAY BE
 ENACTED TO ENFORCE THIS SECTION.
   § 4. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That section 2 of  article  19
 of the constitution be amended to read as follows:
   §  2.  At the general election to be held in the year nineteen hundred
 fifty-seven, and every twentieth year thereafter, and also at such times
 as the legislature may by law provide, the question "Shall  there  be  a
 convention  to  revise  the  constitution  and amend the same?" shall be
 submitted to and decided by the electors of the state;  and  in  case  a
 majority  of  the  electors  voting  thereon  shall decide in favor of a
 convention for such purpose, the electors of every [senate  district  of
 the  state,  as  then  organized,  shall elect three delegates] REGIONAL
 SENATE DISTRICT OF THE STATE,  AS  THEN  ORGANIZED,  SHALL  ELECT  THREE
 DELEGATES  AND  THEIR  VOTES  SHALL  BE WEIGHED BY THE POPULATION OF THE
 DELEGATE'S  REGIONAL  SENATE  DISTRICT  at  the  next  ensuing   general
 election[,  and  the  electors  of the state voting at the same election
 shall elect fifteen delegates-at-large]. The delegates so elected  shall
 convene  at the capitol on the first Tuesday of April next ensuing after
 their election, and shall continue their session until the  business  of
 such  convention shall have been completed. Every delegate shall receive
 for his or her services the same compensation as shall then be  annually
 payable  to  the  members  of  the assembly and be reimbursed for actual
 traveling expenses, while the convention is in session,  to  the  extent
 that a member of the assembly would then be entitled thereto in the case
 of  a  session  of  the  legislature. A majority of the convention shall
 constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and no amendment to
 the constitution shall be submitted for  approval  to  the  electors  as
 hereinafter  provided,  unless  by  the  assent of a majority of all the
 delegates elected to the convention, the ayes and noes being entered  on
 the  journal  to be kept. The convention shall have the power to appoint
 such officers, employees and assistants as it may  deem  necessary,  and
 fix their compensation and to provide for the printing of its documents,
 journal,  proceedings and other expenses of said convention. The conven-
 tion shall determine the rules of its own proceedings,  choose  its  own
 officers,  and  be the judge of the election, returns and qualifications
 of its members. In case of a vacancy, by  death,  resignation  or  other
 cause,  of any district delegate elected to the convention, such vacancy
 shall be filled by a vote of the remaining  delegates  representing  the
 district  in  which  such  vacancy occurs. If such vacancy occurs in the
 office of a delegate-at-large, such vacancy shall be filled by a vote of
 the remaining delegates-at-large. Any proposed constitution or constitu-
 tional amendment which shall have been adopted by such convention, shall
 be submitted to a vote of the electors of the state at the time  and  in
 the  manner  provided  by such convention, at an election which shall be

 S. 5416                            23
 
 held not less than six weeks after the adjournment of  such  convention.
 Upon  the approval of such constitution or constitutional amendments, in
 the manner provided in the last preceding section, such constitution  or
 constitutional amendment, shall go into effect on the first day of Janu-
 ary next after such approval.
   § 5. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That article 11 of the consti-
 tution be REPEALED and a new article 11 be added to read as follows:
                                ARTICLE XI
                                 EDUCATION
 
   EACH  REGIONAL  LEGISLATURE  SHALL  PROVIDE  FOR  THE  MAINTENANCE AND
 SUPPORT OF A SYSTEM OF FREE COMMON SCHOOLS, WHEREIN ALL THE CHILDREN  OF
 THIS  STATE  MAY  BE EDUCATED AND SHALL PROVIDE FOR A REGIONAL EDUCATION
 DEPARTMENT. THE LEGISLATURE MAY PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF  CHIL-
 DREN TO AND FROM ANY SCHOOL OR INSTITUTION OF LEARNING.
   § 6. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That article 19 of the consti-
 tution be amended by adding a new section 4 to read as follows:
   §  4.  NO  FUTURE  AMENDMENT OR NEW STATE CONSTITUTION CAN BE APPROVED
 UNLESS AT LEAST 55 PERCENT OF THE VOTERS VOTING ON IT IN THE NEW AMSTER-
 DAM REGION, 55 PERCENT OF THE VOTERS VOTING ON IT IN THE MONTAUK  REGION
 AND  AT  LEAST  55  PERCENT  OF  THE VOTERS VOTING ON IT IN THE NEW YORK
 REGION ALL APPROVE THE CHANGES.
   § 7. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That section 1 of article 5 of
 the constitution be REPEALED and a new section 1 be  added  to  read  as
 follows:
   SECTION  1.  (A)  IN  ELECTIONS HELD AFTER THE REGIONAL GOVERNORS TAKE
 OFFICE FOR THE FIRST TIME THE STATE COMPTROLLER SHALL BE ELECTED  FOR  A
 TERM  OF  OFFICE  OF  FIVE  YEARS,  AND SHALL POSSESS THE QUALIFICATIONS
 PROVIDED IN SECTION 2 OF ARTICLE IV. THE LEGISLATURE SHALL  PROVIDE  FOR
 FILLING VACANCIES IN THE OFFICE OF COMPTROLLER. THE COMPTROLLER SHALL BE
 REQUIRED:  (I)  TO  AUDIT  ALL  VOUCHERS BEFORE PAYMENT AND ALL OFFICIAL
 ACCOUNTS; (II) TO AUDIT THE ACCRUAL AND COLLECTION OF ALL  REVENUES  AND
 RECEIPTS;  AND  (III)  TO  PRESCRIBE  SUCH  METHODS OF ACCOUNTING AS ARE
 NECESSARY FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE FOREGOING DUTIES.   THE PAYMENT  OF
 ANY  MONEYS  OF  THE  STATE,  OR OF ANY MONEYS UNDER ITS CONTROL, OR THE
 REFUND OF ANY MONEYS PAID TO THE STATE, EXCEPT UPON AUDIT BY  THE  COMP-
 TROLLER,  SHALL  BE  VOID,  AND  MAY  BE RESTRAINED UPON THE SUIT OF ANY
 TAXPAYER WITH THE CONSENT OF THE SUPREME COURT IN THE APPELLATE DIVISION
 ON NOTICE TO THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL ATTORNEY-GENERAL.
   (B) IN SUCH RESPECT THE APPROPRIATE REGIONAL  LEGISLATURE  ONLY  SHALL
 DEFINE  THE  POWERS  AND  DUTIES  AND MAY ALSO ASSIGN TO HIM OR HER: (I)
 SUPERVISION OF THE  ACCOUNTS  OF  ANY  POLITICAL  SUBDIVISION  OF  THEIR
 REGION;  AND  (II) POWERS AND DUTIES PERTAINING TO OR CONNECTED WITH THE
 ASSESSMENT AND TAXATION  OF  REAL  ESTATE,  INCLUDING  DETERMINATION  OF
 RATIOS  WHICH  THE  ASSESSED VALUATION OF TAXABLE REAL PROPERTY BEARS TO
 THE FULL VALUATION THEREOF, BUT NOT INCLUDING ANY OF  THOSE  POWERS  AND
 DUTIES RESERVED TO OFFICERS OF A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR VILLAGE BY VIRTUE
 OF  SECTIONS  SEVEN  AND EIGHT OF ARTICLE NINE OF THIS CONSTITUTION. THE
 APPROPRIATE REGIONAL LEGISLATURE SHALL ASSIGN TO HIM OR HER NO  ADMINIS-
 TRATIVE  DUTIES,  EXCEPTING SUCH AS MAY BE INCIDENTAL TO THE PERFORMANCE
 OF THESE FUNCTIONS, ANY OTHER PROVISION  OF  THIS  CONSTITUTION  TO  THE
 CONTRARY NOTWITHSTANDING. THE OFFICE OF COMPTROLLER SHALL ALSO CALCULATE
 ANNUALLY THE MEDIAN ANNUAL INCOME OF INDIVIDUALS IN THE STATE.
   § 8. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That section 6 of article 3 of
 the constitution be REPEALED.

 S. 5416                            24
 
   §  9.  Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That the foregoing 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  constitution, be
 published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.