Bill > A07163

This bill restructures the selection process for judges of the housing part of the civil court in New York City, transitioning from an appointment-based system to a direct election model. Currently, housing court judges are appointed, but the proposed legislation would require 51 housing judges to be elected - one for each city council district - through general elections. To be eligible, candidates must be New York state lawyers with at least ten years of active practice, and must reside in the district they seek to represent. The bill abolishes the existing advisory council for the housing part and repeals previous provisions related to judge selection. Housing judges will now be elected by local voters, receive an annual salary of $115,400, and be subject to the same conduct rules and disciplinary powers as other state court judges. Existing housing court judges appointed before this change will have their terms expire after the first general election, with any unfilled district positions to be temporarily filled by the current judge until a successor is elected. The legislation aims to create a more transparent, representative, and democratic process for selecting housing court judges, with the goal of enhancing public confidence in the judicial system and ensuring fair resolution of housing-related legal disputes.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7163