Bill > S06049

This bill proposes a comprehensive renaming of New York's court system, effectively swapping the names of the state's two highest courts. Specifically, the bill would rename the current Court of Appeals to the Supreme Court, and the current Supreme Court to the Superior Court. This change would be implemented across numerous sections of the state constitution, requiring modifications to over 30 different constitutional provisions. The renaming impacts not just the court names, but also references to judicial processes, appointments, jurisdictions, and administrative procedures throughout the legal system. While the bill maintains the existing structural and functional characteristics of these courts, it represents a significant terminological overhaul that would require extensive updates to legal documentation, references, and potentially existing case law. The bill includes provisions to ensure a smooth transition, such as preserving the terms of current judges and maintaining existing judicial hierarchies and powers. The proposed changes would be subject to public referendum and would require publication and review by the state legislature.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S6049