Chapter 50 - TERM LIMITS

Section 1137.

Section 1137.

  §  1137.  Public Policy. It is hereby declared to be the public policy
of the city of New York to limit the time elected officials can serve as
mayor, public  advocate,  comptroller,  borough  president  and  council
member  so  that  there is more opportunity for citizen participation in
the legislative and executive branches  and  the  airing  of  a  greater
diversity  of  ideas.  It  is  further declared that this policy is most
appropriately served by limiting the time such officials  can  serve  to
not  more  than  two consecutive full terms. It is further declared that
public confidence in  government  should  be  protected  by  restricting
amendments  that  would  affect  the  application  of term limits to any
elected official then in office.

Section 1138.

Section 1138.

  §  1138. Term Limits. a. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary
contained in this charter, no person shall be eligible to be elected  to
or  serve  in the office of mayor, public advocate, comptroller, borough
president or council member if that  person  had  previously  held  such
office  for  two or more consecutive full terms, unless one full term or
more has elapsed since that person last held such office.
  b. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, no  local  law
may  be  enacted  by  the  city  council,  including  but not limited to
amendment of the provisions of this chapter, if  such  local  law  would
alter  or  permit alteration of the term limit set forth in this section
as such limit applies to any person then serving in the office of mayor,
public advocate, comptroller, borough president or council member.
  c. Severability. If any provision of this section, or any provision of
paragraph one of subdivision  k  of  section  eleven  hundred  fifty-two
relating  to  the  application of this section, shall be held invalid or
ineffective in whole or  in  part  or  inapplicable  to  any  person  or
situation,  such  holding  shall  not  affect,  impair or invalidate the
remainder of this section and such paragraph, and all  other  provisions
thereof  shall  nevertheless  be  separately and fully effective and the
application of any such provision to other persons or  situations  shall
not be affected.