Debate on legislation in the state Assembly has long been a mere formality in the Democrat-controlled legislative chamber.

Now, according to Assemblyman Andrew Molitor, R-Westfield, it barely exists at all.

Last week, Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes, D-Buffalo and Assembly majority leader, introduced changes to the Assembly’s rules that split the time for debate, vote and explanation on bills to evenly divide it between Republicans and Democrats. There are exceptions for budget bills, concurrent resolutions that propose amendments to the state Constitution and bills agreed on by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Peoples-Stokes. While it sounds innocuous, several Republicans spoke out against the rules changes before they were approved in a party line vote.

Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, R-Ballston Spa, said the prior rules allowed a maximum of four hours of debate on any bill with an additional hour to explain votes. Debate order was established on a first-come, first-served basis for both Republicans and Democrats. Each party will now have two hours of total debate time allocated to them and a maximum of 30 minutes to explain votes.

“Each member of the Assembly is now limited to one minute and 36 seconds to debate (ask questions of each bill) and even less time (24 seconds) to explain their vote because Albany Democrats voted to reduce debate time,” Molitor said in a news release. “Good and respectful debate reveals the possible ramifications of a bill, and, even if the bill is seemingly a good idea, will often reveal the unintended consequences of the bill draft language.”

The Assembly majority limited debate rules in 2022 by formalizing changes made during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under those changes, no Assembly member was allowed to speak more than once on any bill or amendment. In the past, legislators could speak twice on any bill or amendment. Additionally, the floor leader of each conference or their designee can be given an additional 15 minutes to speak on a bill or amendment. Those 2022 changes also implemented the four-hour time limit Republicans opposed in 2022 but were asking to continue during last week’s floor debate. In 2022, now-retired Assemblyman Andrew Goodell of Jamestown argued that the limits on floor debate would mean that many lawmakers would be cut out of floor debates altogether.

Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, R-Corning, joined Goodell in opposing those rule changes. He spoke again on the floor last week against the new set of debate rules. Many bills pass the Assembly with no debate or discussion. Palmesano said the time not spent on those bills could be spent on bills that do require additional debate, like energy bills that will be on the legislative agenda in 2026.

“I said on the floor at the time that that was — this — that was a sad day in this chamber,” Palmesano said. “Today is even sadder. Because this isn’t about democracy. This is about limiting debate and asking discussions and to have accountability. Listen, you have the Majority. You know you’re gonna win every vote. We don’t believe you win the debates, but you’ll win every vote. Isn’t that enough? Now you want to not have a thorough discussion on so many important issues. Now, we agree there are going to be a number of issues, bills that come before this House we don’t need that much time on. But there are a host of others that we do need that extra time and it’s important. I can think of a host of issues like the Farm Labor Act. Some of the criminal justice policies that have been enacted in this Chamber; HALT, Raise the Age, bail reform, parole. And then of course the energy climate agenda that we’ve been talking about that I talk about on this floor. I know I’ve used a lot of time on numerous occasions. I’m sure you’ll be glad not to hear me say some of these things, but I’ll continue to do so.”

Legislative intent – which is one issue being raised by Molitor and state Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, in a lawsuit over the state DEC’s changes to the Freshwater Wetlands Act – is something traditionally flushed out during floor debates. At times, Republican arguments made during floor debates show themselves in chapter amendments when legislation is approved by Gov. Kathy Hochul with changes that have to be passed during the next legislative session or even influence a veto from the governor’s office.

“Our debate process, however imperfect, at least ensured ideas were tested in public and that every district, large or small, had a fair opportunity to be heard. When the governor, the Senate president and the Assembly speaker are in control of almost every facet in New York state government, this rule change moves the New York State Assembly further away from being the people’s house,” Molitor said. “Many bills are introduced for the direct benefit of New York City and, as a result, directly harm Chautauqua County, but debate allows our voice to be heard and sometimes that results in modified bills, chapter amendments and, rarely, vetoes; limiting who can speak, how long they can speak and when debate ends doesn’t improve government; it shields it from scrutiny.”