NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A1031
SPONSOR: Zebrowski TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the uniform justice court act, in relation to establish-
ing minimum educational requirements of certain town and village
justices
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:
This bill would allow towns and villages to require that local justices
be admitted to practice law in the state.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill the uniform justice court act by adding a new
section 105 a as it relates to allowing any town or village to have the
local option to require that justices be admitted to practice law.
Section two relates to the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Currently, there are no educational requirements to serve as a local
justice in New York State. As the local judicial process becomes more
complex and busy, it is important to ensure those who are serving in
those positions have appropriate education. This bill allows munici-
palities the ability, by local law, to require that their justices be
licensed attorneys. Many municipalities that have a high volume of court
cases should be given the authority to increase the educational require-
ments.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A.3801 of 2019-20; A.1517 of 2017-18,
A.2867 of 2015-2016;
A8336A of 2013-2014.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first January next succeeding the date
on which it shall have become law.
