BILL NUMBER: S1590
SPONSOR: GRIFFO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment
to article 4 of the constitution, in relation to the filling of vacan-
cies in the office of lieutenant-governor
 
PURPOSE:
Provides a method of filling vacancies in the office of the Lieutenant
Governor.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This bill would provide that in the case of a vacancy in the office of
Lieutenant Governor alone, the Governor shall nominate a new Lieutenant
Governor within 30 days of the vacancy, subject to confirmation by
majority votes of both Houses of the Legislature independently. Such
confirmation votes shall be held by each House within 30 days of the
Governor's nomination.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Past vacancies in the office of Lieutenant Governor called attention to
the fact that under current law, there is no method available to appoint
a new Lieutenant Governor. This bill would enact a system identical to
the one used under the Federal Constitution to fill a vacancy in the
office of the Vice-President. Requiring separate votes from each House
of the Legislature, rather than a single vote in joint session, ensures
that no single House has enough votes to confirm the nomination by
itself.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24-S.1598/A.1534 - Judiciary Committee/Governmental Operations
Committee
2021-22 - S. 3774 - Judiciary Committee.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Effective upon passage by two separately elected Legislatures and
approval by the voters after such passage.