The New York State Senate

R3108

Senate Resolution No. 3108

BY: Senator STEWART-COUSINS

ADOPTING special temporary procedures during a
declared state of national state of emergency; and
providing for the repeal of such provisions upon
expiration thereof

WHEREAS, The current declared state of national emergency relating
to the coronavirus disease require the Senate, in the exercise of its
constitutional power and prerogative, to implement special temporary
procedures permitting the consideration of legislation in an expedited
fashion to meet the urgent needs of the people of the state of New York
while confronting rapidly changing circumstances and public health
concerns and directives; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That notwithstanding paragraph a of section one of Rule IX
of the Senate Rules, the Temporary President may designate a method to
allow for Senators to be in attendance and participate in any proceeding
of the Senate by remote means, including but not limited to
teleconference or video conference, during a declared period of a state
of emergency; and be it further

RESOLVED, That notwithstanding paragraph a of section one of Rule IX
of the Senate Rules, a Senator may vote on a bill on the controversial
calendar if such Senator is in attendance by the remote means designated
by the Temporary President; and be it further

RESOLVED, That notwithstanding section two of Rule III of the Senate
Rules and paragraphs a, b, c, d, e and f of section two, section six,
and section seven of Rule IX of the Senate Rules and any other Rule
involving the presence or absence of a Senator, a Senator in attendance
using the remote means designated by the Temporary President shall be
deemed present for the purposes of establishing a quorum and for any
other purpose; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a Senator in attendance using the remote means
designated by the Temporary President shall be treated as if he or she
were upon the floor of the Senate Chamber for the purposes of paragraph
g of section two of Rule IX of the Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That no technical failure on the part of an individual
Senator or group of Senators that breaks their remote connection to the
proceedings shall invalidate any action taken by a majority of the
Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, This resolution shall expire and be deemed repealed upon
the Temporary President's declaration that a state of emergency no
longer exists, and shall be in effect only for the duration of the
remainder of the 2019-2020 Legislative Session.