The Monroe County Charter became effective in 1967, creating the 29 member County Legislature which replaced the Board of Supervisors. In 1980, the Charter was amended to provide for the direct election of a County Executive for a four-year term beginning in 1984.
The Legislative Process
- A Monroe County Legislator or the County Executive gets an idea based on local needs, countywide needs or information from constituents. These ideas or matters are put in writing over the signature of the Legislator or County Executive. These communications can seek to:
a) create new laws;
b) amend or repeal existing laws;
c) provide authorization or funding for county projects or programs; or,
d) simply request information.
- The communication is submitted to the Clerk of the Legislature for processing. The President of the Legislature refers the communication to one or more of the nine standing committees of the Legislature. The communication becomes known as a Referral and is given a number and is printed.
- The Referral is placed on the agenda of the standing committee(s) to which it has been assigned. The Referral must be moved and seconded in committee in order to be considered. The Referral is discussed and then either
a) voted on;
b) referred to the County Administration for more information;
c) tabled; or,
d) filed.
- If the Referral receives a majority of votes in committee, it is then sent to the full Legislature for consideration. Again the Referral must first be moved and seconded. Once it is introduced, the 29 members of the Legislature have an opportunity to discuss the Referral. Legislators may offer amendments at this time. The Referral is then either approved or denied by the Legislature; tabled; or, sent back to committee for more information. Most Referrals require a simple majority of 15 votes in order to be adopted; however, if the Referral requires bonding authority, then a two-thirds majority (20 votes) is required.
- If the Referral is passed by the full Legislature, it is henceforth known as a Resolution of the Legislation or Local Law and receives a number. Resolutions and Local Laws are sent to the County Executive for approval. If the County Executive votes a Resolution or Local Law, it may still go into effect provided that three-fifths (18) of the Legislators vote to override the veto. A veto override of a Resolution or Local Law which requires a two-thirds majority to be adopted demands a vote of three-fourths (22) of the entire Legislature.
