BILL NUMBER: S3923
SPONSOR: PALUMBO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment
to section 14 of article 3 of the constitution, in relation to limiting
the use of messages of necessity
 
PURPOSE:
This bill would limit the use of messages of necessity to respond to a
state disaster.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Amends section 14 of the state constitution to limit the use of a
message of necessity to respond to a state disaster emergency.
 
EXISTING LAW:
Section 14 of the State Constitution requires that before a bill is
passed or becomes a law, it shall have been printed and upon the desks
of members, in its final form at least three calendar days prior to its
final passage, unless the Governor or the acting Governor certify the
facts which in his or her opinion necessitate an immediate vote and
allows a bill to be voted upon before it has aged three days.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The state constitution clearly states that members should have three
days to review a bill before the final passage and make an exception to
the three-day, requirement only when a governor certifies the facts
which in his or her opinion necessitates an immediate vote.
While there are certainly occasions that would require an immediate vote
of a bill before it has aged three days, this exception should be limit-
ed to circumstances that constitute an emergency. The three-day aging
process is in place to give members of the State Legislature ample time
to review bills under consideration. In addition, the three days allow
the public the opportunity to voice their own concerns and comments on
legislation before the Senate and the Assembly.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024 S.4584; 2021-22 S.2943; 2019-20 S.1249; 2017-18 S.2174; 2015-16
S.5041
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
If the Senate and the Assembly Concur, the foregoing shall be referred
to the first regular legislative session convening after the next
succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conform-
ity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for
three months previous to the time of the election.