legislation sponsored by the Senator during the current legislative session

---------------------------------
S920 BROWN -- Establishes the police officer and firefighter loan forgiveness program
S921 BROWN -- Authorizes a real property tax credit for police and firefighters in certain counties upon enactment of a local law
S922 BROWN -- Grants additional credit on promotional examinations for police officers and firefighters who are residents of certain cities
S923 BROWN -- Grants additional credit on civil service exams for appointments as police officers and firefighters who are residents of certain cities
S924 BROWN -- Creates the central Buffalo housing district
S944A BROWN -- Provides for the city council of the city of Niagara Falls to adopt a residential permit parking system within certain areas of the city
S945A BROWN -- Authorizes the city of Niagara Falls to convey certain land to the Niagara Falls housing authority
S1098 BROWN -- Bans the retail sale of aerosol spray paint to persons under the age of 18
S1099 BROWN -- Establishes a fire pump and sprinkler system grant program within the office of fire prevention and control
S1100 BROWN -- Eliminates required releases, including required conditional release, of any person convicted of a violent felony
S1101 BROWN -- Creates new crime of unlawfully dealing with fireworks and dangerous fireworks in the first degree, as a class E felony; other provisions regarding fireworks offense
S1102 BROWN -- Requires that voter registration forms be made available at federal, state and local government buildings and at other public places
S1103 BROWN -- Establishes a youth court fund to be used for the purposes of funding the development, implementation and operation of youth court programs
S1104 BROWN -- Regulates dealers in certain second-hand personal property
S1105 BROWN -- Relates to establishing crimes relating to gang violence and the abatement of premises used for gang activity
S1106 BROWN -- Authorizes the establishment of a demonstration program for the imposition of equal tax rates in the city of Buffalo; repeals such program after expiration
S1107 BROWN -- Requires persons using electronic fund transfers be told at the time of the transaction the fee to be charged for such transaction
S1108 BROWN -- Enacts provisions to counter and prohibit money laundering
S1109 BROWN -- Creates property/casualty insurance products with specific values and determines the rates which shall be charged for such products
S1110 BROWN -- Excludes the earned income credit from selection of certain tenants for public housing
S1111 BROWN -- Relates to information regarding veterans benefits
S1112 BROWN -- Requires certain attendance of members of the legislature and the governor if passage of the budget is not timely
S1113 BROWN -- Relates to establishing a statewide gang database
S1114 BROWN -- Prohibits the operation of motor vehicles with an accumulation of ice and/or snow greater than three inches in thickness on any exterior surface thereof
S1115A BROWN -- Relates to procedures for the conditional release of certain inmates
S1116 BROWN -- Directs the New York state thruway authority to discontinue the collection of tolls at the Grand Island bridges in the Niagara section of the thruway
S1117 BROWN -- Provides that once a bill passes one house, it must be considered by the other house within sixty calendar days or by the end of session, whichever occurs first
S1118 BROWN -- Relates to providing that a message of necessity may not be used for any appropriation bill that is part of the budget
S1119 BROWN -- Permits magistrate judges and bankruptcy judges to solemnize marriages
S1120 BROWN -- Requires certain hospitals to provide language interpreters
S1121 BROWN -- Requires labelling of video tapes of motion pictures if content has been altered or colorized; civil penalties
S1122 BROWN -- Relates to eligibility in the elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage program
S1123 BROWN -- Allows smoking in certain bingo facilities
S1124 BROWN -- Grants various rights to foster parents including intervention in certain child abuse or neglect proceedings, service of petitions to end placement, etc.
S1125 BROWN -- Requires at least one member of the water board of the city of Buffalo be a member of the common council of such city
S1126 BROWN -- Relates to authorizing school districts to establish policies prohibiting the wearing of gang-related apparel, markings or symbols
S1127 BROWN -- Imposes a $500 fine or a term of imprisonment not to exceed 15 days for the sale of unstamped or unlawfully stamped packages of cigarettes
S1128 BROWN -- Amends definition of dangerous dog to include dogs which unjustifiably attack and injure a domesticated dog or cat; allows destruction of such an attacking dog
S1723 BROWN -- Authorizes the city of Buffalo to implement a program using photomonitoring devices and imposing monetary liability on vehicle owners for traffic signal violations
S1724 BROWN -- Establishes the crime of financial exploitation of a vulnerable elderly person or a person with a disability and provides for civil liability thereof
S1725 BROWN -- Provides a tax credit to businesses performing services on historic properties
S1726 BROWN -- Prohibits operation of lottery vending machines unless machine is located in specified locations: bars, private clubs, tobacco businesses and certain work places
S1727 BROWN -- Creates an "In Rem Early Warning Prevention and Improvement Demonstration Program" for the city of Buffalo
S1728 BROWN -- Increases the standard deduction for a husband and wife who file a joint personal income tax return
S1729 BROWN -- Provides for a plan of expenditure by the city of Niagara Falls of monies appropriated or received by such city during the operation of a casino in such city
S1730 BROWN -- Relates to the hearing of complaints by the division of human rights and the awarding of certain fees and costs in such complaints; appropriation
S1731 BROWN -- Requires certain documents to be filed with the commissioner of motor vehicles regarding the transfer of ownership of vehicles
S1732 BROWN -- Grants a tax credit to businesses who employ individuals who reside in empire zones
S1733 BROWN -- Transfers certain programs and services to the office for the aging
S1834 BROWN -- Establishes the housing part of the city court of Niagara Falls
S2146 BROWN -- Allows certain tax exemptions within the central Buffalo housing district
S2147 BROWN -- Expands criminal liability of juveniles possessing weapons and for the sale of drugs on school grounds; repealer
S2176 BROWN -- Creates the Buffalo housing development corporation
S2844 BROWN -- Adds two representatives, one upon recommendation of the mayor of Buffalo and one by the Buffalo common council, to the Niagara Frontier TA
S2845 BROWN -- Directs the city of Buffalo to resume adjudication of traffic infractions
S3746 BROWN -- Requires the commission to hold public hearings regarding proposed electric and gas rate changes to maximize participation by customers affected
S4213 BROWN -- Creates the middle income housing program under the jurisdiction of the Buffalo housing development corporation
S4274 BROWN -- Directs the New York state thruway authority to discontinue the Black Rock toll barrier in Erie county
S4275 BROWN -- Authorizes the local enactment of a tax credit for resident police officers and firefighters in certain cities
S4771 BROWN -- Provides that the employees from the General William J. Donovan building be relocated to other buildings located within the downtown corridor of the city of Buffalo
S4776A BROWN -- Provides for the development of a brewery trails program to encourage small business, tourism and history of breweries in New York state
S5797 BROWN -- Authorizes the city of Tonawanda, Erie county, to discontinue parkland no longer needed as such and dedicate the fair market value equivalent for park purposes
----------------------------

Gee, and all during the campaign so many people here, on this message board kept saying "Brown never sponsered any meaningful legislation. " "All He did was a change a few sreet names."
Shows how little some people who claim to be so astute politically actually don't know what they are talking about, or or out and out liars.

How much of that proposed legislation actually made it anywhere? Last I checked there was still a Black Rock toll barrier and I must have missed the brewery trail.

Legislation that doesn't get passed is just a waste of paper, time, and money. Three things the majority of our state representatives are great at.

Isn't going to have much legislation passed. The Republicans have the majority, so when a bill of some good is proposed by a democrat, it is voted down...Then a Republican will change the wording of the bill, minimally, and like magic the bill passes. The same thing happens in the Assembly, though the roles of the partys are reversed.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by SolarEclipse
How much of that proposed legislation actually made it anywhere? Last I checked there was still a Black Rock toll barrier and I must have missed the brewery trail.

Legislation that doesn't get passed is just a waste of paper, time, and money. Three things the majority of our state representatives are great at.

---

So now it goes from "He didn't do anything" to "Nothing he did passed". You criticized the guy for not introducing any thing, now when proof is offered that contradicts you, you just change the complaint and criticize him for introducing it.
Give it up.

Quote:

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Originally posted by citymouse
So now it goes from "He didn't do anything" to "Nothing he did passed". You criticized the guy for not introducing any thing, now when proof is offered that contradicts you, you just change the complaint and criticize him for introducing it.
Give it up.

---

I'm just saying that any legislator can introduce any number of bills that stand no chance of being passed to make it look like they did something. That's not work. That's a CYA.

Honestly, at this point, I'm looking forward to seeing what Brown can do for the city. I'm hoping he really proves all the naysayers wrong.

--------------------------
How a Bill Becomes a Law

And How You Can Help

The job of the Senate is to work with the Assembly and the Governor to enact, amend or repeal statutes which make up the body of laws within which we live. This involves drafting, discussing and approving bills and resolutions.

This document is intended to help you better understand the process, and more significantly, to help you identify those points where your contribution is important -- and sometimes crucial.

The text shows the process in a simplified progression from “Idea” to “Law.” At any step in the process, participation by a citizen or group of citizens is as easy as making a call, writing a letter, or signing a petition being sent to your Senator, any other legislator or the Governor.

Idea This is the starting point in the process, and the first point at which the citizen has a chance to have a say in the writing or rewriting of law.

Subjects of legislation are as varied as the range of human activities. Someone once said that legislation deals with birth and death, and everything in between.

Ideas for legislation come from many sources. A Senator may have an idea. One of his or her constituents may point out a need. A State official may propose a change. An organization may espouse a cause that requires a change in the law. There is no monopoly on ideas for legislation.

Often, one person’s idea on how to solve a problem has resulted in good legislation to help solve the problems of many people.

Bill Drafting Once an idea for a new law has been settled on, it must be put into bill form before it can be considered by the Senate. The actual drafting of legislation requires a specialized type of legal training and is usually done by the staff of the Legislative Bill Drafting Commission.

Sometimes, however, an interest group may have its own attorneys draft a bill, and lawyers working in various state agencies and the executive branch often submit their ideas for legislation in bill form.

Introduction No law may be enacted in New York state unless it has been adopted by the Legislature in bill form. And to be adopted, it must first be introduced. With a single exception, bills can be introduced only by legislators or by standing committees of the Senate and Assembly. That exception is the Executive Budget, which is submitted directly by the Governor.

On introduction in the Senate, a bill goes to the Introduction and Revision Office, where it is examined and corrected, given a number, sent to the appropriate standing committee, entered into the Senate computer, deemed to have had its first and second readings and printed.

(Incidentally, “first reading”, “second reading” and “third reading” are terms which linger in the legislative vocabulary from the days when each bill was read aloud in full in public session three times before final action could be taken.)

Committee Action Just as we engage specialists for specialized problems such as legal or medical advice, so does the Senate engage specialists to study legislation. These specialists are members of Standing Committees who evaluate bills and decide whether to “report” them (send them) to the Senate floor for a final decision by the full membership. A committee agenda is issued each week listing the bills and issues each Senate committee will handle the following week. Committees often hold public hearings on bills to gather the widest possible range of opinion.

The committee stage is the second point at which the citizen’s contribution is important. An expression of opinion on a proposed bill can be sent directly to the committee chairman, or it can be sent to your local Senator for relay to the committee members.

The committee system acts as a funnel through which the large number of bills introduced each session must pass before they can be considered. The system also acts as a sieve to sift out undesirable or unworkable ideas.

After consideration, the committee may report the bill to the full Senate for consideration, it may amend the bill, or it may reject it.

The Calendar The Daily Calendar is the agenda for Senate sessions and contains those measures which have come through the committee process. Bills take their place in order as they are reported from committee, and at this point are referred by their Calendar Number. This process allows additional time for your reaction against or for a bill.

Each bill has to be on the Senators’ desks for three days before it can be voted on, unless the Governor authorizes and the Senate accepts a Message of Necessity for a certain bill. When bills reach the Order of Third Reading, they become ready for a final vote. If the sponsor of a bill realizes at this point that his bill may not have enough support for passage, or has a defect which may require an amendment, he may ask that it be laid aside, returned to committee for further study, or “starred” (placed in an inactive file). The Majority Leader also may ask that a bill be starred. Once starred, it cannot be acted on until one day after removal of the star. When the bill comes up for consideration on the Order of Third Reading, it is subject to debate, discussion or explanation.

By communicating your views on a particular issue to your Senator, you have another opportunity at this point to participate in the lawmaking process.

Floor Amendments Once a bill has been introduced, reported out by a committee and is on the calendar for consideration by the full Senate, it can still be amended. The sponsor of the bill, for example, can submit the changes to the Bill Drafting Commission; the bill, now in its amended form, retains its original number, but amended versions are denoted by a letter suffix A, B, C, D and so on for each time the bill is altered.

However, beyond this, any Senator may amend a given bill by offering amendments to it on the Senate floor, even if he or she is not one of the bill’s sponsors.

This method allows all members access to a bill’s language, opening it to the suggestions and opinions of members who may like the essential ideas of the bill, but disagree with the sponsor on one or more of the legislation’s details. Moreover, since the amendments are offered in open session, all members can ask questions and discuss the merits of the proposed amendments.

Passing a Bill After explanation, discussion or debate, a vote is taken. If a majority of the Senators approves, the bill is sent to the Assembly.

In the Assembly, you again have a chance to influence the bill as it moves through a process basically the same as that in the Senate. It is referred to a committee for discussion, and if approved there it goes to the full membership for a vote.

If the bill is approved in the Assembly without amendment, it goes on to the Governor. However, if it is changed, it is returned to the Senate for concurrence in the amendments.

(The reverse procedure is followed if the Assembly first passes a bill identical to a Senate measure or if the Senate amends an Assembly bill.)

Conference Committees Sometimes the Senate and Assembly pass similar bills, but cannot easily reconcile the differences between them in a reasonable time frame. In such cases, a procedural device called a conference committee can be used to iron out the differences.

The Senate Majority Leader and Assembly Speaker each appoint five members from their respective houses to serve on this committee. After agreement is reached, a bill is printed and processed like any other bill.

The Governor While the Legislature is in session, the Governor has 10 days (not counting Sundays) to sign or veto bills passed by both houses. Signed bills become law; vetoed bills do not. However, the Governor’s failure to sign or veto a bill within the 10-day period means that it becomes law automatically. Vetoed bills are returned to the house that first passed them, together with a statement of the reason for their disapproval. A vetoed bill can become law if two-thirds of the members of each house vote to override the Governor’s veto.

If a bill is sent to the Governor when the Legislature is out of session, the rules are a bit different. At such times, the Governor has 30 days in which to make a decision, and failure to act (“pocket veto”) has the same effect as a veto.

Citizen comment is an important part of the legislative process. Public opinion often affects the shape of a bill as well as its eventual success or failure. Remember, your input can play a crucial role in determining how a bill becomes a law.

This document is your manual to the legislative process as it functions in the New York State Senate. It is intended to help you understand how an idea is transformed into a law, and the part that you as a citizen can play in this process.
-------------------------------

That is a very nice description of how the process "should" work. In reality, virtually all bills are bottled up in Committees and rarely make it to the floor for a vote unless Silver or Bruno give the bill their official blessing. The New York State legislature is one of the most dysfunctional and self-serving institutions ever devised.