"Legislative history" refers to the documents created by the legislature in the course of the legislative process. Legislative histories are usually consulted to investigate the legislative intent behind a statute. The following publications contribute to the understanding of how New York courts use legislative history:
Relatively little explanatory material is available for New York legislation.
Document | Locations |
---|---|
Bills | See Finding Bills section on Bills & Session Laws page on this guide. |
Introducer's memoranda (also known as "sponsor's memoranda," or "legislative memoranda") |
New York State Legislative Annual (in print, State 1st Floor KFN5014 .N48). The most comprehensive source. Compiles sponsor's memoranda for all chapter (session) laws of the given year, with all governor's approval and veto messages. McKinney's Session Laws of New York (in print) at Library of Congress. (See Library of Congress' policies prior to visiting.) Selected memoranda are available in Volume 2 of the annual set from 1977 onwards. Legislative Session Information (New York State Legislature) |
Governor's Memoranda (which include "approval memoranda" and "veto memoranda") |
New York State Legislative Annual McKinney's Session Laws of New York (in print) at Library of Congress. (See Library of Congress' policies prior to visiting.). Governor's Memoranda on Approval of Bills are available in Volume 2 of the annual set from 1977 onwards. New York Consolidated Laws Service (in print, State 1st Floor KFN5030 1976 .A23, currently updated in Law Library). |
Bill Jackets: For explanation of this document, see N.Y. St. Libr.'s guide on Bill, Veto and Recall Jackets |
Approval Jackets:
Veto Jackets:
Recall Jackets:
|
Transcripts of Debates and Hearings |
Senate Debates: Referenced by the bill number, subject, and the day the bill was debated
Assembly Debates: Referenced by bill number, subject, and the day the bill was debated
See also Debates & Journals page on Brooklyn L. Libr.'s NY Legislative History guide. Senate and Assembly Hearings
See also Hearings & Reports page on Brooklyn L. Libr.'s NY Legislative History guide. |
Governor's Annual Messages |
McKinney's Session Law News of New York (in print at Library of Congress). Consult Libr. of Congress' policies prior to visiting. McKinney's Session Laws of New York (in print at Library of Congress). Consult Libr. of Congress' policies prior to visiting. New York Consolidated Law Service Session Laws (in print, State 1st Floor KFN5030 1976 .A23, currently updated in Law Library) New York Enacted Legislation (Session Laws) on Westlaw (current legislative session) New York Historical Enacted Legislation (Session Laws) on Westlaw |
A number of New York law libraries have published research guides that provide background information on the New York legislative process, list documents that may be produced in the course of the legislative process, specify the sources for legislative documents, and give recommendations in compiling a legislative history. There are also published articles that provide similar information.