S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
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    S. 4398                                                  A. 6391

                       2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                      S E N A T E - A S S E M B L Y

                             March 26, 2013
                               ___________

IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered print-
  ed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Govern-
  ment

IN  ASSEMBLY  -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred
  to the Committee on Governmental Operations

AN ACT in relation to establishing a bi-county commission in  the  coun-
  ties  of  Nassau  and Suffolk to study the feasibility of establishing
  the state of Long Island

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1. Legislative findings: Nassau and Suffolk counties comprise
an area of 2,826 square miles, larger than the states  of  Rhode  Island
and  Delaware.  The  combined  population  of  the two counties is 2.832
million which is greater than the population of 17 states. For the years
2002-2004, Long Island paid 8.124 billion dollars  in  state  taxes  yet
only  5.2  billion  dollars  was  returned  in direct local aid, tuition
assistance, highway aid, pension payments, lottery  money,  metropolitan
transportation authority subsidies and Medicaid payments. For many years
the  question  of forming the state of Long Island has been discussed in
public and academic forums. The issue should be investigated,  a  report
prepared and referendum held in Nassau and Suffolk counties so the citi-
zens may be heard.
  S  2.  There  is  hereby  established  a  Nassau and Suffolk bi-county
commission to study the feasibility of forming the state of Long  Island
to  consist of the counties of Nassau and Suffolk. Such commission shall
be comprised of 24 members, 12 of whom shall reside  in  the  county  of
Nassau  and 12 of whom shall reside in the county of Suffolk. The county
executive of each county shall serve on the commission as co-chairs.  Of
the  remaining 22 members, 5 members from each county shall be appointed
by the county executive of the county in  which  such  county  executive

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD03782-01-3
              

S. 4398                             2                            A. 6391

serves;  3  members  from each county shall be appointed by the majority
leader of the county legislature from the county in which such  majority
leader  serves, and 3 members from each county shall be appointed by the
minority  leader of the county legislature from the county in which such
minority leader serves. Members  of  the  commission  shall  receive  no
compensation  for  their services, but shall be allowed their actual and
necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.  Members
of  the  commission  shall  serve  at  the  pleasure of their appointing
authority. Vacancies on the commission  shall  be  filled  in  the  same
manner as the original appointment.
  S  3.  The  study  authorized  by  section  two  of  this act shall be
completed and submitted to the Nassau county legislature and the Suffolk
county legislature on or before July 1, 2015.
  S 4. At the general election to be held November 2, 2015,  the  county
of  Nassau and the county of Suffolk shall be submitted to the voters of
such counties, a referendum concerning whether or not the state of  Long
Island  shall  be formed. Such referendum shall be deemed approved if it
is approved by a majority of the voters voting  on  such  referendum  in
each county, provided however that the approval of such referendum shall
not be binding upon the county of Nassau or the county of Suffolk.
  S 5. This act shall take effect immediately.