Bill > A08256

This bill proposes several constitutional amendments that primarily restructure the state government's legal departments and leadership roles. The bill increases the maximum number of civil departments in the state government from twenty to twenty-one, signaling potential expansion of governmental organizational capacity. More significantly, it redesignates the department of law into a department of justice, with the attorney-general becoming the head of the department of justice, and creates a new role of chief state's attorney who would head the department of law. The chief state's attorney would be appointed by the governor with senate consent. The bill also modifies several constitutional sections to reflect these changes, including amending provisions related to constitutional amendments, where references to the attorney-general are replaced with the chief state's attorney. These changes would require the chief state's attorney to provide written opinions on proposed constitutional amendments and would not invalidate legislative actions if such opinions are not timely rendered. The proposed amendments would be subject to legislative review and public approval through a subsequent general election process, as is typical for constitutional changes in the state.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8256