NY S02420

Requires the temporary president of the Senate and speaker of the Assembly to appoint a standing committee on conference by January 5th each year, composed of majority and minority members in the same proportion as each chamber's membership.

Allows bills or resolutions passed by both houses that contain substantially similar provisions to be referred to the standing committee on conference by request of legislative leaders, prime sponsors, or committee chairs.

Enables any legislature member to request that a nonpartisan counsel appointed by the legislative bill drafting commission examine passed bills to identify similar legislation across both houses and refer them to the standing committee.

Requires the standing committee to meet within ten calendar days of referral and issue a conference report within fifteen days, either with an agreed-upon bill text or an explanation of why agreement could not be reached.

Directs the nonpartisan counsel to consider factors including whether bills amend the same statutory sections, contain similar language, include comparable appropriations or impacts, or originated in similar committees when determining bill similarity.