BILL NUMBER: S1582
SPONSOR: GRIFFO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public officers law, in relation to vacancies in the
office of comptroller or attorney-general
 
PURPOSE:
To provide for special elections to be held to fill vacancies in the
offices of the Comptroller and Attorney General.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
The bill amends the public officers law to provide that when a vacancy
occurs during the term of the comptroller or attorney general or United
States senator, the governor may make a proclamation calling for a
special election to fill such office. The special election shall be held
not less than 45 nor more than 60 days from the date of the proclama-
tion.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The State Comptroller oversees the state's $233.2 billion pension fund
and is responsible for hundreds of yearly audits of cities, towns,
school districts and other government agencies. He or she is responsible
for ensuring that tax dollars are spent prudently and productively. The
Attorney General is the state's chief legal officer. The State Comp-
troller, Attorney General and United States Senator are all represen-
tatives of the people of the state and as such should always be elected
by the people even in cases of vacancies. Enactment of this measure will
ensure these officers are chosen by the people of the state and not the
Legislature.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24-S.1514 - Judiciary Committee
2021-22-S.3781-Investigations Committee/A.708-Governmental Operations
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the same date as a concurrent resolution
entitled "Concurrent Resolution of the Senate and Assembly proposing an
amendment to section 1 of article S of the constitution, in relation to
providing for special elections to fill the offices of comptroller and
attorney general", takes effect.

Statutes affected:
S1582: 41 public officers law, 42 public officers law, 42(4-a) public officers law