The New York State Senate

R8

SENATE RESOLUTION providing for a Temporary Senate Committee on Rules
and Administration Reform

WHEREAS, The Senate finds that there is a need for a thorough review of
the legislative process in the Senate and of the administration of the
Senate; and
WHEREAS, The Senate is committed to reforming the rules of the Senate,
as well as the administration of the Senate generally, to create a more
participatory and transparent legislative process; and
WHEREAS, The effort to change the legislative process in order to
ensure a more open, effective and responsive Senate should be undertaken
openly, and with the input of the public and interested organizations;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Temporary Senate Committee on Rules and Adminis-
tration Reform is hereby established, to consist of nine Senators
appointed by the Temporary President of the Senate, two of whom shall be
designated by the Temporary President to serve as Co-Chairs; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Temporary Committee is hereby directed to make
recommendations relating to revising the Senate Rules to ensure a parti-
cipatory and transparent legislative process in which each member of the
house has the opportunity to influence the legislative process; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the Temporary Committee is hereby directed to make
recommendations relating to improving the administration of the Senate,
including greater use of the Internet and other electronic media to
provide more legislative information to the public, such as live and
archived coverage of Senate floor sessions, committee hearings, press
conferences and special events; and be it further
RESOLVED, That all hearings and meetings of the Temporary Committee
shall be subject to the provisions of article 7 of the public officers
law; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Temporary Committee is hereby directed to make a
written report to the Temporary President of the Senate and the Minority
Leader of the Senate no later than April 13, 2009.