Research

The Division of Legal Affairs provides legal advice and opinions to Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) administrators and staff. Additionally, it is responsible for reviewing environmental laws and regulations, representing the department in state and federal administrative hearings, and working with the Department of Law in environmental litigation.

The main building of Kings County Lunatic Asylum, located in Flatbush, was funded by Chapter 278 of the Laws of 1852, which authorized Kings County to negotiate a loan for the extension of hospital accommodations for care of the insane in connection with its almshouse. A further authorization, made by Chapter 255 of the Laws of 1853, provided for a loan to complete the institution under construction. This amount proved insufficient and an additional loan was authorized by Chapter 927 of the Laws of 1855.

New York State's official involvement in energy issues dates from 1972, when the legislature determined the State's continuing economic growth and development, combined with environmental, social, and other economic issues, required a consolidated energy-planning effort. Chapter 386 of the Laws of 1972 established the Joint Legislative Commission on Energy Policy for the State of New York. The commission, consisting of ten members appointed by the majority and minority leaders of the senate and assembly, was mandated to develop and report on a comprehensive State energy policy.

In 1909 (Chapter 459), the State appropriated money authorizing the use of a State hospital site at Comstock for the construction of a state prison. This site became Great Meadow Prison opening in 1911. In 1953 (Chapter 275), the prison was renamed Great Meadow Correctional Institution and was used as an intermediate reformatory for male inmates to be recieved by transfer from other institutions and not by direct commitment. Following the creation of the Department of Correctional Services in 1970, the correctional institution became Great Meadow Correctional Facility (Chapter 476).

The Maritime College originated as the New York Nautical School, which was established in 1875 and conducted by the New York City Board of Education until 1913. It then became a state institution called the New York State Nautical School authorized by Chapter 322 of the Laws of 1913. That law provided for the maintenance and government of a school for education and training in the "science and practice of navigation, seamanship, steam and electrical engineering" open to male pupils from various counties of the state.

The Court of Probates originated in the late seventeenth century as the British authorities established a centralized probate system in the colony. It declined in importence during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries as a decentralized probate system based on local courts evolved. During the period of Dutch administrations (ca. 1617-1664), wills were generally written out and read before the testator and two witnesses by a notary, ship captain, or magistrate. The will was signed by the testator, the witnesses, and the official, who recorded it in his record book.

The commission was the result of the single-minded efforts of legislator Aaron J. Levy, who championed the cause of dependent families of widowed mothers and introduced several bills to provide relief to widows in the home. After such attempts at legislation failed because of gubernatorial veto, Chapter 588 of the Laws of 1913 was passed. This law created the commission with Assemblyman Levy as permanent chair. The commission's purpose was to investigate and report on the practicability and appropriate method of providing by statute for pensions or other relief for widowed mothers.

Established by the Laws of 1953, the Public Health Council consists of the Commissioner of Health plus 14 members appointed by the commissioner with the consent of the of the governor for a 6 year term. The council enacts provisions for the State Sanitary Code, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Health.

The commission was created by Chapter 699 of the Laws of 1920 to examine and collate laws relating to child welfare. In examining the laws it was the commission's responsiblity to investigate their operation and effect on children, ascertain overlapping and duplication of laws and/or activities of any public office, department or commission, and to propose remedial legislation. An amendment to the 1920 law (Chapter 342 of the Laws of 1921) required the commission to report to the legislature annually and at such other times as required by the governor or president of the senate.

The school opened in 1875 and operated continuously as a private school, with some state support, until it became a wholly state owned and operated facility in 1963. Since that time the school has been under the jurisdiction of the State Education Department and the Board of Regents. The idea to establish a school for the deaf came from Alphonso Johnson, a deaf man who proposed creation of the school to a group of businessmen in Rome, New York, in 1874. Together with Dr. Thomas Gallaudet (oldest son of Thomas H.