When the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve 2024, many new laws will go into effect in parts of New York State. From worker rights to school resources, a number of changes will affect residents across the state.

A law is an official rule that governs behavior within a society or country. Generally, ideas for new laws are proposed, debated, and voted on in Congress or other legislative bodies before they become laws. The final form of a law is known as a statute or an act. Bills are formal proposals for new laws and can be introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. Those bills that deal with matters that impact the general public are called Public Bills and are usually designated as H.R. (House of Representatives) or S. (Senate).

Upon passing through both chambers of Congress, a bill is often subject to additional research, discussion, and change by committees. During this process, a staff member writes a committee report that provides the details and reasoning behind the bill as it is being considered by the other two chambers of Congress for passage into law. These reports are a valuable tool for the courts, executive departments, and the public in understanding the purpose and meaning of a law.