BILL NUMBER: S1589
SPONSOR: GRIFFO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment
to section 1 of article 5 of the constitution, in relation to providing
for special elections to fill the offices of comptroller and 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 section 1, article 5 of the constitution to establish
that when a vacancy occurs during the term of the comptroller or attor-
ney general, a special election shall be conducted to fill such office.
 
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 and the Attorney General are both representatives 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.1597/A.3699 - Judiciary Committee/Governmental Operations
Committee
2021-22-S. 3876-Judiciary Committee/A.596 - Judiciary Committee
2019-20 - S. 2012 -Judiciary Committee/A. 394 - Judiciary Committee
2017-18 - S. 1230 - Judiciary Committee/A. 1329 - Judiciary Committee
2015-16 - S. 2271 -Judiciary Committee/A. 1705 - Judiciary Committee
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Costs associated with conducting a statewide election.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
RESOLVED (if the Assembly concur), That the foregoing amendment be
referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the
next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in
conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be
published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.