New York Assembly Bill A00964

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/8/25

Caption

Allows for justices to reside in any town, village or city contained in whole or in part within the same assembly district as the court such justice serves or in an assembly district contiguous to such municipality where the court is located; authorizes towns and villages to require that any person who serves as a town or village justice be admitted to practice law in the state.

Impact

The bill also introduces minimum educational requirements that towns and villages may impose on their justices. Specifically, it allows local governing bodies to mandate that justices be admitted to practice law in the state. This raises the standard of qualification for certain judicial positions and aims to ensure that those serving as justices are adequately trained and qualified, potentially increasing the overall quality of justice within local courts.

Summary

Bill A00964 proposes significant amendments to the uniform justice court act, the public officers law, and the uniform city court act. The legislation allows justices serving in town, village, or city courts to reside in any municipality within the same assembly district where their court is located, as well as in contiguous districts. This change is intended to provide greater flexibility to justices regarding their residency, potentially allowing for a broader pool of candidates without geographical constraints related to their residence.

Contention

Debate around A00964 may center on the implications of allowing non-residents to serve as justices in some areas, as it could foster discussions on local versus state authority in judicial appointments. While proponents argue it will enable municipalities to choose from a wider array of qualified candidates, critics may express concerns that it could erode local representation and accountability by allowing justices who do not reside locally to make decisions impacting the community. Furthermore, the educational requirements might be seen as a double-edged sword, ensuring competent judiciary personnel while possibly limiting the candidate pool in areas with fewer legal practitioners.