NYC Laws – What is Law New?

Law New

The law is a set of rules that governs the behavior of people and businesses. It consists of constitutional, statutory, and regulatory laws as well as court decisions that interpret these laws. In New York State, laws are enacted by the Legislature and periodically codified in the Consolidated Laws. The laws also include City ordinances and regulations, as well as charter provisions.

A law starts as an idea for a policy that a senator or council member wants to see become a law. The senator may have this idea in the course of an election campaign or it might be recommended by constituents or by organizations that represent them. Once a bill is introduced, it goes through an extensive process to be approved or rejected.

If the Governor does not sign or veto a bill within 10 days after it has passed both houses of the Legislature, it becomes law. If the Governor does veto a bill, it will be returned to the house that first passed it with a statement explaining the reason for the Governor’s disapproval. If two-thirds of the members of that house vote to override the Governor’s veto, the bill becomes a law.

After a bill has been signed into law by the Mayor or its veto has been overridden by Council, it becomes part of the New York City Charter and Administrative Code. It’s important to note that a bill can be amended as it goes through the legislative process, so what begins as an idea for a law may end up significantly different from what was originally proposed.

In addition to City laws, NYC agencies have their own sets of laws and rules that are enforceable by DCWP. Below is a list of some recent changes to NYC agency law and rules, including the effective date for each new law. To find additional information about these laws, visit the Laws of NYC website and NYC Rules.