NEW YORK, NY January 10, 2009 —Newly elected state Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith says it's only a matter of time before a bill to legalize gay marriage comes up for discussion.

REPORTER: The Queens Democrat says most likely it'll be legislation sponsored by Manhattan Senator Tom Duane.

SMITH: So I imagine at an appropriate time Senator Duane has a bill he may want to bring up in conference and we'll see what the members do.

REPORTER: But some Albany insiders say many state Senators are still reluctant to bring a bill to the floor. A comparable measure has already been introduced in the state Assembly.

Smith spoke Friday at Gracie Mansion, after a meeting with Mayor Bloomberg about the state's $15 billion budget deficit.