Senate Approves Bill Requiring Terms Limits for Senate & Assembly Leadership

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) announces the New York State Senate has passed an important government reform bill that would put into law eight-year term limits for leadership positions in the Senate and Assembly. The bill (S1229), co-sponsored by Senator Gallivan, 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 Senate already voluntarily limits the amount of time its leaders and committee chairs can serve, but it’s time to make these limits mandatory throughout the Legislature,” Gallivan said.  “Term limits will allow more members the opportunity to serve in leadership positions and will foster different perspectives and fresh ideas.  I urge our colleagues in the Assembly to join us in adopting these reform measures.” 

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 bill will be sent to the Assembly, where it is sponsored by Assemblywoman Sandy Galef (A6109).

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