(Albany, NY)- State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/C/I-Mt. Hope) voted in favor of legislation today that would put into law eight-year term limits for leadership positions in the Senate and Assembly. The bill (S1229), which Senator Bonacic co-sponsors, builds upon what is already in place in Senate rules and also limits the number of years a legislator can serve as a leader or committee chair.

The bill limits the tenure of the Temporary President of the Senate, Speaker of the Assembly, and minority leaders of both houses to eight years. Legislative committee chairs would also be limited to serving no more than eight consecutive years.

The Senate first voluntarily implemented leadership term limits in 2009 as part of the rules governing the Senate. Adoption of the measure to be acted on today would make them permanent in law for both the Senate and Assembly.

“The Senate has for years adopted voluntary term limits for committee chairs and legislative leaders,” said Senator Bonacic. “I encourage my colleagues in the Assembly to pass this bill as soon as possible.”

The bill has been sent to the Assembly.