New York State Assembly

The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature, the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New York. It is composed of 150 members, each elected to two-year terms without term limits. The Assembly convenes at the New York State Capitol in Albany, New York.

History

The New York State Assembly was established in 1777, following the adoption of the first New York State Constitution. It was modeled after the British House of Commons and was part of the bicameral legislature, which also includes the New York State Senate. The Assembly has played a crucial role in shaping the laws and policies of New York State throughout its history.

Structure and Function

The Assembly is responsible for drafting and passing legislation, which must also be approved by the New York State Senate and signed by the Governor of New York to become law. The Assembly has the power to initiate revenue bills and articles of impeachment.

Leadership

The Assembly is led by the Speaker, who is elected by the members of the Assembly. The Speaker is responsible for presiding over sessions, appointing committee chairs, and guiding the legislative agenda. The current Speaker is Carl E. Heastie.

Other key leadership positions include the Majority Leader, who is responsible for managing the legislative process on the floor, and the Minority Leader, who leads the opposition party.

Committees

The Assembly operates through a system of committees, each focusing on specific areas such as finance, health, education, and transportation. These committees review bills, hold hearings, and make recommendations to the full Assembly.

Legislative Process

The legislative process in the Assembly begins with the introduction of a bill by a member. The bill is then assigned to a committee for review. If approved by the committee, the bill is debated and voted on by the full Assembly. If it passes, it is sent to the New York State Senate for consideration.

Elections

Members of the Assembly are elected every two years in first-past-the-post elections. The elections are held in even-numbered years, with the next election scheduled for November 5, 2024.

Also see

• New York State Senate
• New York State Legislature
• Governor of New York
• Politics of New York (state)
• List of Speakers of the New York State Assembly