A new bill limiting local state of emergency declarations has been introduced in the state senate. 

State Senator Patrick Gallivan announced his sponsorship of the bill earlier this week.

Under this proposed legislation, any emergency declaration set by a chief executive would hold for a maximum of 30 days. It could then only be extended once the elected county legislative body or applicable governing board agreed.

Meanwhile, orders issued by local boards of health will remain effective for a period of five days before then also needing to get approval.

Sen. Edward Rath says this legislation will keep local governments in check.

This comes as Erie County Executive Mark Poloncraz declared another state of emergency starting Tuesday.

"That's not good government,” Sen. Rath said. “It's open, it's accountable, it's transparent, it's accessible. What we have seen has been bad government. Exclusive, unilateral and closed. This legislation is a piece of good legislation, a good measure to bring about checks and balances, as well as a two-party system."

Gallivan says he would be sending out a letter to the senate majority leader to convene a special session given the impact of the mask mandate on the Erie County community.