Peter Fong’s Staff Pick: NYC Legislative Histories

Although there is really no equivalent to the NY Governor’s bill jacket on a local New York City level, we at NYLS/NYLI compile comprehensive New York City legislative histories. 

Our curated histories include:

• local law text,
• committee reports,
• testimonies, transcripts, other public comments from the NYC Council. 

For the Executive Branch (Mayor), there are often memoranda and statements issued during the legislative process.  Both the Mayor and City Council sponsors often issue press releases.

And then there is always news media items covering the proceedings, as well as editorials from concerned groups.   We compile all of these items – as well as any historical materials available on past laws- to give our members the best possible New York City Legislative Histories.

Ultimately, it is all about intent – and our curated NYC Legislative history compilations – along with our published handy one volume reference book New York City Legislative Annual – are the best resources for determining legislative intent.