New York Constitution

Adopted by Constitutional Convention September 29, 1894

Ratified by Vote of the People November 6, 1894

Became Effective January 1, 1895

As Revised, with Amendments adopted by the Constitutional Convention of 1938 and Approved by Vote of the People on

November 8, 1938.

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Table of Contents

Article III. Legislature

Senate districts

Readjustments and reapportionments; when federal census to control

Apportionment of assemblymen; creation of assembly districts

Definition of inhabitants

Compensation, allowances and traveling expenses of members

Qualifications of members; prohibitions on certain civil appointments; acceptance to vacate seat

Time of elections of members

Powers of each house

Journals; open sessions; adjournments

Members not to be questioned for speeches

Bills may originate in either house; may be amended by the other

Enacting clause of bills; no law to be enacted except by bill

Manner of passing bills; message of necessity for immediate vote

Private or local bills to embrace only one subject, expressed in title

Existing law not to be made applicable by reference

Cases in which private or local bills shall not be passed

Extraordinary sessions of the legislature; power to convene on legislative initiative

Private claims not to be audited by legislature; claims barred by lapse of time

Two-thirds bills

Certain sections not to apply to bills recommended by certain commissioners or public agencies

Tax laws to state tax and object distinctly; definition of income for income tax purposes by reference to federal laws authorized

When yeas and nays necessary; three-fifths to constitute quorum

Prison labor; contract system abolished

Emergency governmental operations; legislature to provide for

Article IV. Executive

Executive power; election and terms of governor and lieutenantgovernor

Qualifications of governor and lieutenant-governor

Powers and duties of governor; compensation

Reprieves, commutations and pardons; powers and duties of governor relating to grants of

When lieutenant-governor to act as governor

Duties and compensation of lieutenant-governor; succession to the governorship