S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
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                                  2684

                       2015-2016 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            January 20, 2015
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. PRETLOW -- read once and referred to the Commit-
  tee on Governmental Operations

            CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY

proposing an amendment to section 12 of article 3 of  the  constitution,
  in relation to conference committees

  Section 1. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That section 12 of article
3  of the constitution be amended by adding a new undesignated paragraph
to read as follows:
  UPON THE ENGROSSMENT OF A BILL IN A DIFFERENT FORM BY BOTH  HOUSES,  A
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE SHALL BE FORMED BY APPOINTMENT OF FOUR MEMBERS FROM
EACH  HOUSE  BY  THE PRESIDING OFFICERS THEREOF TO SERVE ON A CONFERENCE
COMMITTEE. THE COMMITTEE SHALL ENDEAVOR TO REACH  A  COMPROMISE  BETWEEN
THE TWO DRAFT BILLS, AND MAY ONLY DELIBERATE ON THOSE ISSUES THAT DIFFER
IN THE DRAFTS ENGROSSED BY THE TWO HOUSES. THE COMMITTEE'S DELIBERATIONS
SHALL  TAKE PLACE IN PUBLIC FORUM, AND IT SHALL REPORT THE RESULT OF ITS
DELIBERATIONS IN THE FORM OF A BILL. A NEW DRAFT BILL RESULTING FROM THE
COMMITTEE'S DELIBERATIONS MAY RECEIVE A NEW BILL NUMBER.  ANY  ITEMS  OF
APPROPRIATION IN A NEW OR AMENDED BILL MAY NOT EXCEED THE HIGHER OF SUCH
ITEMS  FROM  EITHER  OF  THE  SEPARATELY ENGROSSED BILLS.   REPORTS OF A
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE CANNOT BE CHANGED OR AMENDED BY EITHER  HOUSE,  BUT
MUST  BE  ACCEPTED  OR  REJECTED  IN  WHOLE,  IN THE FORM IN WHICH MADE.
REJECTION OF A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT BY BOTH HOUSES  SHALL  RESULT
IN THE CREATION OF A NEW CONFERENCE COMMITTEE COMPOSED IN THE MANNER SET
FORTH ABOVE, WHICH MAY MAKE ANY ALTERATIONS NECESSARY TO REACH AGREEMENT
BETWEEN  THE  TWO  ENGROSSED BILLS, AND REPORT ITS DELIBERATIONS TO BOTH
HOUSES FOR THE QUESTION UPON ITS FINAL PASSAGE.
  S 2. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing amendments 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.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD89053-01-5