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Legislation - The NYS Legislature

From the League of Women Voters of New York State
Preface to: A Guide to New York State Government; Seventh Edition, 1995

New York has a bicameral Legislature: 150 members of the Assembly and 61 members of the Senate; all elected in even-numbered years; members of both houses serving two-year terms. The State Legislature begins its session the first week in January, following the Governor's State of the State address, which outlines the gubernatorial legislative priorities for that year. By the end of January, the Governor submits a proposed budget to the Legislature. The fiscal year begins April 1st, and no bills can be paid unless the budget is passed or special appropriations are authorized by the Legislature. During the intervening months, the legislative leaders focus on budget matters, hold hearings, and conduct negitiations with the Governor.

After the budget is approved, the Legislature is then ready to consider other issues. The session traditionally ends by July 4th, with special sessions held later in the year if urgent business must be addressed. Special sessions can be called by the Governor, at which times the Legislature may act only on matters that the Governor has put before it. However, is there has been no formal adjournment, the Legislature can return to regular session and its own agenda at any time. This is the practice in order to allow the legislative leaders to control the agenda.

Legislators usually spend only two days each week in Albany at the beginning of the session, gradually increasing to three, four or five days toward the end of March and the end of session. The remaining time is spent in home districts or traveling for hearings or other legislative business. (Not all are full-time legislators.)