Requires that any bill which provides revenue to the state in a non-recurring manner shall pass by a two-thirds majority in order to become law.
Summary
A02067 is a proposed amendment to the New York State Constitution that would change the voting threshold for certain revenue measures. Under the bill, any bill that provides revenue to the state or a political subdivision in a non-recurring manner would need approval by two-thirds of the elected members of each house of the Legislature, voting separately, in order to become law. The proposal leaves the existing general rule in place that most bills pass by a majority, but creates a higher bar for this specific category of revenue legislation.
The amendment also preserves the current constitutional requirements about final form, three-day availability before passage, and the governor’s certification for immediate votes. If approved by the Legislature, the proposed amendment would be referred to the first regular legislative session after the next general election and then published for three months before that election, following the constitutional process for amendments.
Impact
If adopted, this measure would alter Article 3, Section 14 of the New York Constitution by adding a supermajority requirement for non-recurring revenue bills. That would affect the Legislature’s ability to enact one-time or temporary revenue measures, including certain taxes, fees, or other revenue-raising provisions that do not recur on an ongoing basis. It would likely make it harder for the state or local governments to rely on short-term revenue legislation, and would give a minority of legislators the ability to block such measures.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or recorded vote information was provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the materials supplied. Based on the bill’s sponsors and the nature of the proposal, the measure appears to reflect a policy preference for tighter legislative control over non-recurring revenue actions and a higher threshold for passage. The available context suggests the bill was introduced and referred to committee, but not yet acted on further in the record provided.
Contention
The main point of contention is the supermajority requirement itself. Supporters are likely to view it as a safeguard against one-time revenue measures and a way to encourage fiscal restraint, while opponents may see it as making it too difficult to raise needed revenue for state or local government operations. Another likely issue is how broadly “provides revenue ... in a manner that is non-recurring” would be interpreted, since that could affect a range of temporary taxes, fees, settlements, or other one-time funding mechanisms.
Same As
Requires that any bill which provides revenue to the state in a non-recurring manner shall pass by a two-thirds majority in order to become law.
Provides that no bill which increases, extends, imposes or revives any tax, fee, assessment, surcharge or any other such levy or collection, be passed or become a law, except by the assent of two-thirds of the members elected to each branch of the legislature voting separately; makes an exception for any bill which results from the passage of a home rule message.
Proposes constitutional amendment to require two-thirds majority vote by Legislature for bills proposing a new or increased State tax, fee, surcharge or civil penalty.
Prohibits the passage of bills by the legislature between the hours of midnight and eight o'clock a.m. unless 2/3 of the legislature is present; requires two-thirds approval for messages of necessity.
A Constitutional Amendment Providing That A Proposed State-wide Initiated Act Or Constitutional Amendment Shall Become A Law When Approved By A Majority Of The Votes Cast In The Election And A Majority Of The Counties Of The State.