Rules and Regulations
Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York - NYCRR
Rules of the City of New York - RCNY
STATE RULES
Rules and Regulations are promulgated by a State Administrative Agency or Department. Rules and regulations do not have a "legislative history" as do State Statutes, but something like a memoranda is usually available.
Prior to adoption, there is usually a memo written called a "statement of purpose," "regulatory impact statement," or "regulatory flexibility analysis". These are obtainable in the filings of the NYS Register (formerly titled the NYS Bulletin.) The Register began publication on April 11, 1979. It's predecessor, the Bulletin was all but worthless, which is probably why there are no known surviving copies. Hearing transcripts, testimony, letters of recommendation or opposition and other commentary may also be obtained from the Department Commissioner's office for proposed or newly promulgated regulations. Usually, the volume of "historical" intent for Rules and Regulations is minimal.
CITY RULES
Proposed and finalized rules and regulations are published by the City in a daily newspaper called the City Record. The only real history available for City Rules would be a memorandum published along with the rule at the time of proposal or finalization.
A compilation of all of the Rules of the City of New York, something that had never been done before, was authorized by a ballot measure in 1988. It is for this reason that there are almost no historical notes prior to 1991. As a result, finding the date of promulgation of an older rule is virtually impossible. For the 20 years prior, new or amended rules and regs were only printed in the City Record. Before that they were issued by the New York City Department of Law.
All Rules must be published in the City Record and meet the other provisions of the City Charter, section 1043(e), before they become effective.
City Regs newsletter, delivered bi-weekly, categorizes and summarizes each new and proposed rule. Also given are the sections being added or amended, the date of hearing(s), and a contact person with phone number.
New and proposed rules are also briefly noted in our City Report, a bi-weekly looseleaf report.
How to Cite Rules & Regulations:
New York State (NYCRR) Citation Form
New York City (RCNY) Citation Form
