Research: Topics: Legal & Correction Records: Records of the Governor's Office
Records of the Governor's Office
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SUBORDINATE AGENCIES, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
Moreland Act Commissions
The Moreland Act was passed by the legislature and signed into law in 1907 (Chapter 539). The act was introduced by Sherman Moreland, Republican leader in the assembly, at the urging of Governor Charles Evans Hughes.
The Moreland Act, now Section 6 of the Executive Law (formerly Section 7, 1907-1909, and Section 8, 1909-1951), authorizes the governor, "either in person or by one or more persons appointed by him for the purpose, to examine and investigate the management and affairs of any department, board, bureau or commission of the state." Investigators were empowered to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, hold hearings, and subpoena "any books or papers deemed relevant or material." Moreland Act commissions derive their power from that act and from Executive Law Section 63.8. The State Archives holds records of only a few of the many investigations conducted under the Moreland Act (see also series A0531, Investigation Case Files of Charges and Complaints Against Public Officials and Agencies.
Public hearing transcripts, press releases, published materials, and other records that have been previously available to the public or are not restricted by law are available for use. Some Moreland Act commission records may be withheld from disclosure pursuant to Executive Law Section 63.8, Civil Rights Law Section 73.8, Personal Privacy Protection Law Section 96.1.c, and Freedom of Information Law Sections 87.2.a and 87.2.b. Additional State or federal statutory or regulatory access restrictions may also apply. Series descriptions of Moreland commission records include information on access conditions for each series. Where applicable, requests for access to confidential investigatory information will be referred by the State Archives to the governor's counsel's office.
More information on the history of the Moreland Act and the commissions appointed under this legislation can be found in:
Breuer, Ernest Henry:Moreland Act Investigations in New York: 1907-65 (The University of the State of New York, the State Education Department,1965)(New York State Library Bibliography Bulletin 85)
Davies, Audrey M.: Moreland Investigations in New York State (New York Institute of Public Administration, 1936)
Missall, J. Ellswerth: The Moreland Act: Executive Inquiry in the State of New York (New York: King's Crown Press, 1946)
Commissioner to Examine and Investigate the Management and Affairs of the Office of the Fiscal Supervisor of State Charities, the State Board of Charities, the Sites, Buildings and Grounds Commission, the Building Improvement Commission, and the Salary Classification Commission
A0017 Investigation Correspondence, Transcripts and Printed Materials, 1915-1928(bulk 1915-1918)
Commission for Investigation of Workmen's Compensation Law Administration
10997
Research and Investigation Files, ca 1928-1944 (bulk 1943-1944)
10987
Chief Accountant's Administrative and Investigative Files, 1938-1944
B1314
Investigation Case Files and Summaries, 1942-1943
B1313
Transcripts of Public Hearings, 1943-1944
B1317
Indexed Abstracts of Witness Statements, 1942-1943.
B1312
Background Files on Workers' Compensation Laws in Other States, 1937-1943.
B1316 Press Clippings, 1942-1944.
B1315 Receipts for Records Received and Returned by the Commission, 1943-1944.
Moreland Act Commission to Study Workmen's Compensation Administration and Costs
10983 Investigation
Administration Files, 1938-1959 (bulk 1953.1958).
B1328Personnel and Administration Files, 1947-1954 (bulk 1953.1954)
Commission to Study, Examine and Investigate State Agencies in Relation to Pari-Mutuel Harness Racing
B1322
Transcripts of Public Hearings, 1953-1954
B1327
Card Indexes to Harness Racing Associations and Stockholders, Witnesses,
and Commission Records and Staff, ca. 1953-1954.
B1323
Investigation and Exhibit Files on Individuals, 1933-1954 (bulk 1953-1954).
10998
Investigation and Exhibit Files on Corporations, Ca. 1936-1957 (bulk 1953-1954).
B1325
Investigation and Bill Files of the Joint Legislative Commission to Study
the Pari-Mutuel System,1939-1944.
B1321
Litigation Files, 1953-1954.
B1326
Questionnaires Returned by Individuals, 1953.
B1320
Concessionaire Questionnaire and Exhibit Files, 1932-1954 (bulk 1953-1954).
B1319 Stockholder
Questionnaire Files, 1953-1954.
B1318
Officer, Director, and Special Stockholder Questionnaire Files, 1953-1954
B1324
Press Clippings File, 1953-1954
Moreland Commission Bingo Control Inquiry
10986Public Hearing and Report Files, 1943-1962 (bulk 1961-1962).
Moreland Commission on Welfare
10991Correspondence and Subject Files, 1961-1963.
Moreland Commission on the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law
B1310
Subject and Correspondence Files, 1933.1964 (bulk 1963-1964)
B1305Transcripts of Public Hearings, 1963
B1308 Transcripts
of Public Hearings of the Joint Legislative Committee to Study the Alcoholic
Beverage Control Law, 1962.
B1311
Investigation Files, 1945-1964 (bulk 1962-1964).
10990 Questionnaire
and Interview Files, 1963-1964.
B1309
Background Files on Alcoholic Beverage Regulation in Other States, 1957-1964
B1306
Press Release Files, 1963-1964
B1307
Press Clippings, 1953-1964 (bulk 1963-1964).
Commission on Government Integrity
15825
Typed and Original Transcripts of Commission Meeting Minutes, 1987-1989
15823
Investigation Project Files, 1975-1989 (bulk 1987-1989)
15827
Litigation Files, 1987-1989
15826
Election Campaign Financial Disclosure Reports, 1981-1989
B1339 Informant
Correspondence Files, 1987-1989
15830General Information Files, 1987-1989
