About the Westchester County Board of Legislators

The Westchester County Board of Legislators is the County’s legislative and policy-making body. It has served Westchester residents - under various forms of government - for more than 300 years.

The Board plays a role similar to that of the U.S. Congress at the federal level, creating laws, approving the County budget, and providing oversight of county government operations.

Board Composition

Unlike the U.S. Congress, which has two chambers, Westchester County has a unicameral legislature, meaning it operates with one legislative body.

Legislators must reside in the district they represent.

17

Legislators

Elected countywide to represent Westchester residents

2

Year Terms

Each legislator serves a two-year elected term

1

Legislative Body

Westchester County has a unicameral legislature

≈59K

Residents per District

Each legislator represents approximately 59,000 residents

Powers & Responsibilities

The Board’s authority is defined by the Westchester County Charter. Key responsibilities include:

Financial Oversight
- Appropriating county funds
- Approving the annual budget
- Levying taxes
Legislative Authority
- Passing local laws, acts, and resolutions
- Approving appointments made by the County Executive

Most legislation requires nine votes to pass

Bond acts require twelve votes

Once approved by the Board, laws and acts are sent to the County Executive for signature or disapproval

A veto may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of the Board

Learn More

Role of the County Government

Read the full informational PDF for historical background, budget details, and service breakdowns.

Download the PDF

The Committee System

The Board of Legislators carries out much of its work through a committee system. Each committee focuses on a specific policy area and reviews legislation before it is considered by the full Board.

For example, legislation involving bond acts must first be reviewed by the Committee on Budget & Appropriations before advancing to a full Board vote.

How Committees Are Formed

Committee members and chairs are appointed by the Chair of the Board
Every legislator serves on at least one committee

Why Committees Matter

Committees play a critical role in shaping legislation and ensuring informed decision-making before proposals reach the full Board.

Resident proposals and concerns are referred to the appropriate committee
Committees may invite subject-matter experts, County officials, and members of the public to participate
County department officials regularly attend to provide background, data, and technical insight
Committees collaborate with County departments to address complex issues and enhance quality of life in Westchester County

Public Access

All committee meetings are open to the public, offering residents the opportunity to observe discussions and stay informed about legislative issues under consideration.

Checks and Balances

Board Approval

Legislature Acts

Legislation is approved by the Board of Legislators and sent to the County Executive.

10-Day Review Period

Executive Review

Within 10 days, the County Executive may:

Sign the legislation into law
Return it with a written veto explanation

No Action Taken

Automatic Law

If no action is taken within 10 days, the legislation automatically becomes law.

Legislative Override

Veto Override

A vetoed proposal may still become law if overridden by a two-thirds vote of the Board.

How a Proposal Becomes a Law

1. Idea Introduced

Ideas may come from residents, legislators, or the County Executive.

(Only legislators or the County Executive may sponsor legislation)

2. Committee Referral

The proposal is placed on the Board agenda and referred to the appropriate committee(s)

3. Committee Review

Committees meet publicly to:

Discuss benefits and costs
Question county officials
Hear public input

4. Legal Review

The County Law Department reviews the proposal and may revise it

5. Full Board Action

The Board may:

Approve the proposal and send it to the County Executive
Reject it
Refer it back to committee for revision

Infographic listing steps for a proposal becoming law.

Get Involved with the Board of Legislators

Your voice matters. There are several ways to participate in County government, share your perspective, and stay informed about the Board’s work.

Contact Your Legislator

Sharing your ideas or concerns is an important way to influence county policy. Many laws begin with resident input.

Call (914) 995-2800 for assistance.

Find your Legislator

Attend Board Meetings

Board meetings are open to the public and provide an opportunity to observe the legislative process in action.

Full Board Meetings: Typically every other Monday at 7:00 PM
Committee Meetings: Typically held Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays during the day

View meeting calendar

Speak at a Public Hearing

Public hearings allow residents to address the Board directly on items under consideration.

Hearings take place during the first 30 minutes of each Full Board meeting
Each speaker is given 3 minutes
Speakers must sign up in advance

Meetings & Public Access

All Board of Legislators meetings are open to the public:

Schedule: Full Board meetings are generally held every other Monday evening (with limited exceptions)
Location: Legislative Chambers
8th Floor, Michaelian Office Building