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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.

The State Defense Council was created by Chapter 369 of the Laws of 1917. Its responsibilities included making "all investigations and plans for efficient coordination and cooperation of the military, industrial, agricultural and commercial resources of the state in time of war". It was charged with the "creation of relations which render possible immediate concentration and utilization of state resources for military purposes".

The New York Water Power Commission was created by Chapter 579, Laws of 1921, which added Article 10-A, Water Power, to the Conservation Law. The Commission was comprised of the Conservation Commissioner (chair), State Engineer, and Surveyor, Attorney-General, President Pro Tem of the Senate, and Speaker of the Assembly. The Commission was directed to investigate the state's developed and undeveloped water power resources and sites. It was enpowered to issue licenses authorizing the diversion and use for power or other purposes of state waters.

The Court is a constitutional court of record with jurisdiction to hear and determine claims against the State or by the State against the claimant or between conflicting claimants, as the Legislature may provide. The Legislature may increase or decrease the number of judges. The Clerk of the Court is appointed and may be removed by the Court. A constitutional amendment approved by the electorate Nov.

The distinction between courts of law and courts of equity was unknown in New Netherland where Dutch-Roman law prevailed. After the English conquest the first court to exercise equity jurisdiction in New York was the Court of Assizes. This court was established in 1664 under the authority of the Duke of York, proprietor of the colony. Equity jurisdiction was conferred upon the court by a 1665 amendment to the Duke's Laws which established the government of the colony.