GUIDE TO THE SUFFOLK COUNTY LEGISLATURE A Message from the

2004 - 2005 GUIDE TO THE SUFFOLK COUNTY LEGISLATURE A Message from the Presiding Officer JOSEPH T. CARACAPPA ELECTED BY HIS PEERS TO THE POSITION OF PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE SUFFOLK COUNTY LEGISLATURE, JOE CARACAPPA HAS ASSUMED THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICE WITH PRIDE AND DEDICATION TO THIS VITALLY IMPORTANT UNDERTAKING: I feel empowered by this vote of confidence not only to perform my duties as Legislator of the 4th Legislative District but to enthusiastically address the additional responsibilities of Presiding Officer an assignment which I take very seriously. You, as the public, are always encouraged to participate in the processes of County government. You are welcome to contact my office at any time should you have questions or concerns relating to the initiation or progression of County legislation or the development of our annual budget, which is an issue of paramount importance in the Presiding Officer’s list of responsibilities. We are here to reflect your needs and we sincerely welcome your input as we move through a difficult and complex time in our history. You are very much part of our decision making since it is you, the people, who inspire our actions. We look forward to your participation as we seek to ensure the highest possible quality of life for the public. Joseph T. Caracappa Presiding Officer Suffolk County Groundbreaking Legislation 1974: Law to buy development rights to protect farmland 1981: Law to require deposit on beverage containers 1984: First ban on smoking in public places 1984: Establishment of Pine Barrens Zone 1984: Law requiring school buses to use safety belts 1985: Open Space Preservation Program Adopted 1986: Drinking Water Protection Program adopted 1987: First anti-sexual harassment statute to protect employees 1988: Law limiting access of minors to cigarette machines 1989: Vehicle seizure law for drunk drivers 1990: Prohibiting occupational licenses for "deadbeat" parents 1998: Greenways Program-open space preservation 1998: Law establishing safe school zones 1998: Law to phase out pesticides on countyowned property 1998: Ban of MTBE in gasoline 2000: Well water testing prior to home purchase 2000: First ban on use of hand-held cell phones by drivers 2001: Prescription drug reimbursement program for seniors 2001: Living Wage law approved 2002: Expand veterans’ property tax exemption 2002: Restriction on placement of convicted sexual predators in County funded housing facility 2002: Site selection procedures for substance abuse houses 2003: Ban on sale of ephedra products in Suffolk 2003: Ban on smoking in work places, restaurants and bars Page 2 History of the Suffolk County Legislature The Suffolk County Legislature was established in January 1970, thus replacing the 200-year-old Board of Supervisors. With the establishment of the Suffolk County Legislature, the county was divided into legislative districts. Every two years, the residents of each of the 18 legislative districts elect a representative to the Legislature. After each U.S. Census is tallied every ten years, the boundaries of the legislative districts may be redrawn according to redistribution of population. How the Legislature Works Suffolk County Legislators 1st LD-Michael J. Caracciolo . . . . 852-3200 2nd LD-Jay H. Schneiderman . . . . 852-8400 3rd LD-Peter O’Leary . . . . . . . . . . 852-1300 4th LD-Joseph T. Caracappa . . . . . 854-2700 5th LD-Vivian Viloria-Fisher . . . . 854-1500 6th LD-Daniel P. Losquadro . . . . . 854-1600 7th LD-Brian Foley . . . . . . . . . . . . 854-1400 8th LD-William J. Lindsay . . . . . . 854-9611 9th LD-Ricardo Montano . . . . . . . 853-3700 10th LD-Cameron Alden . . . . . . . . 854-0940 11th LD-Angie Carpenter . . . . . . . 854-4100 12th LD-Andrew A. Crecca . . . . . . 854-3735 13th LD-Lynne C. Nowick . . . . . . 854-3900 14th LD-David Bishop . . . . . . . . . 854-1100 15th LD-Elie Mystal . . . . . . . . . . . 854-1111 16th LD-Allan Binder . . . . . . . . . . 854-5100 17th LD-Paul J. Tonna . . . . . . . . . 854-1900 18th LD-Jon Cooper . . . . . . . . . . . 854-4500 On the first business day in January of each year, the Suffolk County Legislature holds an Organizational Meeting in Smithtown at the William H. Rogers Legislature Building. At this first meeting, legislators elect a presiding officer, a deputy presiding officer, the clerk of the Legislature and the legislative counsel. Each serves a one-year term. Terms can be consecutive. Additionally, at this meeting the Legislature sets the calendar of regular meetings, designates depositories and picks official county newspapers. New "Rules of the Legislature" are also adopted. Each legislative meeting to follow is called a "general" meeting. This year, there are 14 general meetings. The legislators meet at either the William H. Rogers Building in Smithtown or at the Evans K. Griffing County Center in Riverhead. Of the 14 scheduled meetings, two are night meetings beginning at 4 p.m. and the rest begin at 9:30 a.m. The public has the opportunity to address the Legislature at the beginning of each meeting on any topic. During public hearings, members of the public may address the Legislature on specific resolutions on the agenda. Members of the public are allowed to speak for five minutes during public hearings. Legislative Committees In 2004, there are 10 legislative committees. The chair, vice-chair and members of each committee are appointed by the presiding officer. The two special committees formed by the presiding officers are entitled Ad Hoc on Affordable Housing and Ad Hoc on Mandate Relief. The 2004 committees are: • Ways & Means and Consumer Protection • Veterans & Seniors • Public Safety & Public Information • Public Works and Public Transportation • Economic Development, Higher Education & Energy • Parks & Cultural Affairs • Environment, Planning & Agriculture • Health & Human Services • Budget & Finance • Rules Page 3 Presiding Officer The Legislature, by a majority vote, elects a presiding officer at its Organizational Meeting. The presiding officer presides over and acts as chairperson of all general meetings of the Legislature and is empowered to call special sessions of the Legislature. The presiding officer also assigns each Introductory Resolution to a committee of the Legislature. It is the presiding officer’s exclusive responsibility to name the various committees of the Legislature, define the responsibility of the committee and appoint each of the committee chairpersons and members. The presiding officer is also a member of several boards and commissions and has jurisdiction over the legislature’s operating budget each year. Joseph T. Caracappa Legislative Budget Review Office The Legislature’s Budget Review Office provides analytical and oversight services for the Suffolk County Legislature. The director and his/her staff of professional and technical analysts determine the extent to which legislative polices are being faithfully, efficiently and effectively implemented by administrative officials. The office also reviews the performance of county departments and agencies, analyzes the soundness of departmental budget requests, analyzes the county executive’s proposed capital, operating and community college budgets and determines whether the county has in place adequate plans, facilities and controls for an effective government. The office also conducts various research projects requested by members of the Legislature. James Spero Counsel to the Legislature The legislative counsel to the Suffolk County Legislature performs many different functions. Included among them are: • Drafting legislation and legal opinions for members of the Legislature • Attending committee and general meetings • Managing outside counsel in connection with litigation by or against the County Legislature • Providing legal advice to the clerk of the Legislature and the Office of Budget Review Mea Knapp Clerk of the Legislature The clerk of the Legislature and his/her staff are responsible for: • • • • Maintaining the records of all legislative proceedings Forwarding all approved resolutions to the proper departments Keeping records of all approved Local Laws Maintaining records assigned to the Legislature The clerk of the Legislature, as well as the chief deputy clerk and the deputy clerk, are elected by the Legislature at the annual Organizational Meeting held the first business day in January. Henry Barton HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW Powers of the Legislature According to the Suffolk County Charter, the Suffolk County Legislature has the power to: Introductory Resolution Drafted Legislator or Constituent Idea A) Organize, alter and abolish any unit of county government or transfer any function or duty from one such unit to another. Make appropriations, levy taxes and incur indebtedness for the purpose of carrying out any of the powers and duties conferred or imposed on the county or any officer, board, commission or other authority. Investigate the performance of any of the functions, offices or departments of Suffolk County. Fix the amount of bond to be given to any official or employee of the county. B) Filed with Clerk of the Legislature Laid on the Table at General Meeting C) Assigned to a Committee by Presiding Officer D) Public Hearing Set for General Meeting Public Hearing Closed Public Hearing Recessed Committee Votes on Legislation Public Hearing Continued at Next General Meeting If Tabled, Stays in Committee Until Approved or Failed If Approved, on General Meeting Agenda Legislation Fails Adopted at General Meeting Legislation Goes to County Executive for Signature If Vetoed, Goes Back to Legislature If Signed, Filed with the Secretary of State If Approved by 2/3 Vote, Becomes a Law Becomes a Law