Law is more than a set of rules and regulations. It reflects values like democracy, equity and accountability. It enables individuals to participate in governance, as their elected representatives debate and vote on laws based on the needs and preferences of constituents. It is a complex system that requires careful consideration and analysis.

New York state law includes constitutional, statutory and regulatory laws, the laws passed by the legislature and periodically codified in the New York Consolidated Laws, and decisions made by courts that interpret these laws. In addition, the City of New York has its own local laws and ordinances.

The Center makes these laws and government more transparent, understandable and effective through a wide variety of programs and publications. These include news and explainer articles; a variety of public events with expert guests, such as the popular CityLaw Breakfast series; research and analysis; and in-depth podcast conversations. The Center’s work includes a special focus on New York City and State law.

A bill is a proposed new law or change to an existing law. The idea for a bill can come from a senator’s constituents or from other sources such as an interest group or State agency. The senator may write the legislation himself or she may have it written for her by a staff member. The bill is then submitted to the Senate for consideration.

When a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee where its members study the law and may make changes before it comes up for a full vote of the legislature. In the wake of political polarization, this process has become more difficult, but it is still an essential element in creating laws that reflect the interests and values of citizens.

Once a bill is passed, it becomes a law and can be enforced by agencies such as the police or the Department of Consumer Affairs. Its implementation can be complicated by the fact that federal and state laws often conflict with one another, requiring a careful consideration of competing concerns. The law is also subject to interpretation by judges, whose decisions can have a significant impact on the application of the law in practice.

The City of New York adopts a wide range of rules and regulations to address a number of different issues. These regulations can be found in the Code of the City of New York and the Administrative Code of the City of New York. The City has also adopted laws related to a variety of other topics, including open captioning in motion picture theaters and automated employment decision tools.