O’Mara appointed ranking member on Senate Judiciary Committee: Key legislative committee oversees state’s court system, including appointment of judges

Elmira, N.Y., January 3—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) has been appointed to serve as the ranking Senate Republican member on the Senate Judiciary Committee for the 2019 legislative session, which begins next week.

The Judiciary Committee is one of the Legislature’s most powerful committees responsible for overseeing the Senate confirmation process for judges nominated by the executive to serve across New York’s broad court system including the state’s highest court, the Court of Appeals, as well as general oversight of the state’s judicial system.

O’Mara, an attorney and a former Chemung County district attorney, as well an assistant district attorney in Chemung County and Manhattan, has long served on the Judiciary Committee in both the state Senate and Assembly. 

O’Mara said, “It is a committee assignment that I have always requested and valued, and I look forward to this new opportunity to have an even stronger voice on the committee’s actions moving forward.  The Judiciary Committee makes key decisions in the appointment of judges in New York State, the overall operation of our court system, and proposed Constitutional amendments and, consequently, influences areas of law relating to the fundamental rights of all New Yorkers.”

The appointment was made earlier today by Senate Minority Leader John Flanagan.