New York State Legislative Agenda
The City Bar’s 2024 New York State Legislative Agenda is rooted in our mission to equip and mobilize a diverse legal profession to practice with excellence, promote reform of the law, and uphold the rule of law and access to justice in support of a fair society and the public interest. The agenda focuses on positions relevant to the current legislative debate or of particular importance to the City Bar, as well as legislative proposals drafted by our committees. The City Bar’s committees generate dozens of reports over the course of each legislative session and this agenda represents only a portion of those positions. For a full directory of City Bar reports, including positions on regulatory changes and our local, federal and international work, please visit our website.
Download the agenda: Overview | Full PDF
THE JUDICIARY, THE PROFESSION & THE FAIR, EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
- Repeal the constitutional cap on Supreme Court justices and adopt a modern, flexible, evidence-based method of assessing New York’s judicial needs
- Support enhanced funding for civil legal services in the Judiciary budget
- Reform and modernize the administration of class actions in New York’s courts
- Provide internet access to individuals living in temporary housing throughout New York State to ensure adequate access to services
- Permit nonresident attorneys to practice in New York without maintaining a physical office in state
GOOD GOVERNMENT
- Raise and reset expectations about State ethics enforcement in New York
- Provide students essential education needed to be civically engaged and productive individuals in a complex world
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM IN NEW YORK
- Enact the Communities Not Cages bill package
- Enact the Treatment Not Jail Act
- Support for the New York Elder Parole Bill
- No further rollbacks to critical criminal justice reforms in New York
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
- Protect children during custodial police interrogation
- Enact the Anti-Harassment in Reporting Bill
- Adopt a Parental Bill of Rights in child protective services investigations
- Preserve family bonds after termination of parental rights
- Reform and improve Family Court for all litigants
BUSINESS & CONSUMER AFFAIRS
- Preserve New York’s preeminence as a leading commercial jurisdiction by enacting the New York Emerging Technologies Amendments to the Uniform Commercial Code
- Enact the Consumer and Small Business Protection Act
- Regulate the use of noncompete agreements for lower-salary employees
Download the agenda: Overview | Full PDF
Contact:
Elizabeth Kocienda | Director of Advocacy
212-382-4788, ekocienda@nycbar.org
Maria Cilenti | Senior Policy Counsel
212-382-6655, mcilenti@nycbar.org
Mary Margulis-Ohnuma | Policy Counsel
212-382-6767, mmargulis-ohnuma@nycbar.org
Related Resources
Advocacy Resources
Join the Conversation!
Tag or follow #NYCBarNYSAgenda on social media
Contact Your Elected Officials:
New York State Governor’s Office
New York State Assembly | New York State Senate
Search legislation, find your representatives, read press releases, see when the Assembly and Senate are in session and what is on their agendas, and provide live audio and video coverage of legislative proceedings
Bill Tracking & Session Information:
New York State Legislative Retrieval System
Search for current and past bills by bill number, keyword, chapter number and others; provides bill text, status, summaries, sponsors memos, floor votes, floor calendars, committee agendas, chaptered laws, and veto and approval messages from the Governor
Tracking State and City Legislation: Tips
New York State Legislative Process: Glossary of Frequently Used Phrases
New York State Legislative Session Calendar
The state legislative session generally runs from January through June each year
New York State Public Hearing Calendar
Updated as hearings are scheduled or modified. Great resource for committees interested in providing testimony on issues they’ve commented on
Advocacy Guides & Best Practices:
Committee Reports and Member Best Practices
Your Committee Issued a Report…Now What?
Engaging in Advocacy: How to Get Involved After a Committee Takes a Position
Lobbying for Passage of a Bill in NYS: Some Basics
Providing Hearing Testimony: What to Expect
Social Media Best Practices: Promoting Your Involvement at the City Bar
Of Interest
Previous Agendas (formerly “Legislative Program”)
2023 New York State Legislative Agenda | Outcomes
2022 New York State Legislative Agenda | Outcomes
2020 New York State Legislative Agenda | Outcomes
2019 New York State Legislative Agenda | Outcomes
2018 New York State Legislative Agenda | Outcomes
2017 New York State Legislative Agenda | Outcomes
2016 New York State Legislative Agenda
2015 New York State Legislative Agenda
2014 New York State Legislative Agenda
For previous programs, please contact the Policy Department