The state legislative session can officially begin now that Assembly rules changes proposed by Republicans have been defeated by Democrats.

Assembly Republicans proposed 18 rules changes that were defeated earlier this month. One of the rules changes proposed would have required consideration of legislation if it is co-sponsored by at least half of Assembly members, similar to a federal House of Representatives rules change proposed by the Problem Solvers Caucus that was implemented by Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Other changes would have changed the number of votes necessary for consideration of bills under a Message of Necessity from a majority to two-thirds; require resolutions to be given to Assembly members at least three days before a vote is scheduled; require that at least one piece of legislation from each Assembly member be brought to the floor of the Assembly for a vote every two-year legislative session; limit the terms of the majority leader, minority leader, Assembly Speaker and committee chairpeople to eight years; allow a petition signed by one-third of a committee’s members to call for a public hearing on issues; require a vote to extend the Assembly’s hours of operation late into the night from a majority to two-thirds; require Assembly committee meetings to be broadcast on the Assembly website.

“These are rules that are designed to help all of us operate more efficiently on the floor of the legislature, increase the transparency of our operations, streamline our operations and make it more time effective for each and every one of us,” said Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, R-Jamestown. “I would remind you that granted, often times when we propose a rule change, it’s met with blanket opposition, but if you look back you’ll find that a number of the rules that we eventually adopted had their origins in the minority caucus. We appreciate the fact that over time you might have come to the conclusion that it’s your idea and therefore a good idea, and we would welcome you to continue that process as we review these rules changes.

Ask yourself, privately of course, but publicly if you’re so inclined, whether or not these rules actually make sense, improve your life, streamline our operations, improve transparency and make the New York State Assembly more efficient for each and every one of us.”

Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes, D-Buffalo, said the Assembly has implemented rules changes under the leadership of Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, D-Bronx, including allowing all Assembly members to request committee consideration of legislation and streamlining the way bills proceed through committees during the second year of a legislative session.

“Mr. Speaker, these changes being offered today do not reflect a bipartisan collaboration which has marked our prior advancements in rules changes,” Peoples-Stokes said.

“These rules changes before us shift the balance to the minority rule, a change which I respectfully disagree with. Majority rule is a fundamental way that our government operates.”