New York State Government - New York - Researching State & City Government

NY State Constitution

NYS Constitution
Historical Society of the New York Courts
The first New York Constitution was adopted by the Convention of Representatives of the State of New-York on April 20, 1777. A second constitution was adopted in 1821, a third in 1846, a fourth in 1894 and a fifth in 1938. Since 1938, the constitution has been amended several times.
Explainer - Amending the NYS Constitution
Ballotpedia - NYS Constitution
Includes the text of the Constitution along with external links explaining its history and amendments.

NY State Assembly

NY State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower chamber of the New York State Legislature. Alongside the New York State Senate, it forms the legislative branch of the New York state government and works alongside the governor of New York to create laws and establish a state budget.
Ballotpedia - NY State Assembly
With links to assembly members, district maps, committees, and info regarding historical party control.
Look Up Your Assembly Member
NY Assembly Bill Search
With links to the legislative calendar, public hearings, assembly reports, committee meetings, and agendas.

NY State Comptroller

NY State Comptroller
As New York’s chief fiscal officer, the State Comptroller's responsibilities include: Protecting taxpayer funds by uncovering waste, fraud and abuse; Managing the State pension fund; Administering the State retirement system; Returning millions in unclaimed fund; Providing independent fiscal oversight on State, New York City and local finances; Providing technical assistance and training to local government officials and school districts; Reviewing State contracts and payments, maintaining the State's accounting system and administering the State payroll.
Ballotpedia - Explanation of Comptroller's Office
With links to previous candidates and provision of NY Constitution that grants the Comptroller authority.

News - NY State Politics

New York Focus
State of Politics
Politico - New York
City & State New York
Covers NY local and state politics and policy.

NY State Open Government

New York State Freedom of Information Law
Provides links to the text of the law, advisory opinions, and case law, as well as F.A.Q. and instructions on how to make a FOIL Request.

New York State Bar Association

While not part of the NY State Government, the New York State Bar Association has public resources such as a Lawyer Referral Service, Free Legal Answers service, and other resources to help litigants navigate the legal system.

NY State Executive Branch

The executive branch of New York State government consists of a maximum of 20 departments, a result of constitutional reforms from the 1920s that were designed to make State government more manageable. Four officials in the executive branch are elected officials: the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Comptroller, and State Attorney General.

With a few exceptions, the Governor appoints the heads of all State departments and agencies of the executive branch. The exceptions include:

The Commissioner of the State Education Department, who is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the State Board of Regents.
The Chancellor of the State University of New York, who is appointed by a Board of Trustees.
The Chancellor of the City University of New York, who is appointed by a Board of Trustees.

NY Governor
Governor - Executive Orders
Legislation
Includes the Governor's memo & the passed bill.
Lieutenant Governor

NY State - Links to County Governments

New York State is divided into 62 counties (five of which are boroughs of New York City). Within these counties are 62 cities (including New York City), 932 towns, 555 villages and 697 school districts (including New York City). In addition to counties, cities, towns and villages, “special districts” meet local needs for fire and police protection, sewer and water systems or other services.

Local governments are granted the power to adopt local laws that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the State Constitution or other general law. The Legislature, in turn, may not pass any law that affects only one locality unless the governing body of that locality has first approved the bill — referred to as a home rule request — or unless a State interest exists.

List of all NY State Counties

New York City Counties

NY State Agencies

NY State Agencies
Filter by type of agency (administration, business, education, health & human services, local & regional authorities, public safety, recreation & the environment, statewide elected officials, transportation & utilities)

NYS Departments

NY State Dep't of Agriculture
Department of Audit & Control (Headed by the NY State Comptroller)
Department of Civil Service
Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
Department of Economic Development
Education Department
Department of Environmental Conservation
Executive Department
The NYS Executive Department is headed by the Governor. New York State’s governmental activities are run by various departments of the Executive Branch. Three of the departments are supervised by elected officials — the Governor, the Comptroller and the Attorney General. The heads of the remaining departments, who each coordinate policy and activities for a specific concern, are generally appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The principal exception to this is the Commissioner of Education, who is selected for this post by the Regents of the University of the State of New York.
Department of Family Assistance
Consists of the Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance and Office of Children & Family Services
Department of Financial Services
Department of Health
Department of Labor
Department of Law
The Department of Law is headed by the attorney general of New York.

Department of Mental Hygiene:

NY State Senate

NY State Senate
The New York State Senate is the upper house of the New York State Legislature, while the New York State Assembly is its lower house. Established in 1777 by the Constitution of New York, its members are elected to two-year terms with no term limits. There are 63 seats in the Senate.
Ballotpedia - NY State Senate
With links to current membership, historic party control, maps and explanations about redistricting.
Look up your State Senator
NY Bills & Laws
With explanations about the legislative process in NY and links to Senate Committees.

NY State Attorney General

NY State Attorney General
Search Advocacy & Enforcement Actions
Filter by type, settlements & agreements type, bureau and category.
Search Opinions
Opinions are issued in response to requests by state agency officials and local government attorneys. The opinions fall into two broad categories: formal and informal opinions. Formal opinions are those issued to state departments and agencies. They are called "formal" because the New York State Attorney General signs them as chief legal officer of the state. Informal opinions are issued to local governments at the request of the attorney for the local government, who is the municipality's chief legal officer. Opinions issued to the municipal attorney are labeled "informal" because it is ultimately the responsibility of the municipal attorney to provide advice to the local government.
Search Reports
Search Regulatory Documents

NY State - Judicial Branch

NY Judicial Branch

Resources for Persons Representing Themselves

Includes resources & information on:

Going to court, Appeals, Collecting Judgment
Problems with money
Name/Sex Designation Change
Estate & Probate Administration
Criminal Issues
Family & Children (Support, Custody, Divorce)
Safety & Violence (Domestic Violence, Child Abuse)
Homes & Evictions
Guardianships
Small Claims

Chat with a Law Librarian

Find a Law Library, Request Resources

Attorney Search

Decisions

Research Data & Stats (e.g., types of cases, evictions, landlord tenant data)