Law new is legislation that addresses a specific issue, updates policies, or responds to changing needs. It is a vital mechanism through which Congress fulfills its role in shaping public policy and reflecting the values and priorities of its constituents. The process of creating a new law involves various steps that include drafting, committee review, floor debate and voting. Amendments can also be made to bills throughout the legislative process, influencing their final form and implementation.
The Center makes New York City and State government more transparent, understandable, and effective through news and explainer articles; research and analysis; a wide range of events featuring expert guests; and in-depth podcast conversations. The Center is funded by NYLS students as part of their clinical experience and by an endowment from the Samuel Seabury Foundation.
NYLS students are encouraged to apply to join the Center as affiliates. As an affiliate, students participate in the Center’s civic leadership programs and gain practical experience with public service while building a network for future employment. The Center also hosts a series of CityLaw Breakfasts with prominent speakers discussing current government and political issues and sponsors continuing legal education seminars, book talks with authors, and lectures on major policy and legal topics.
Federal lawmaking takes place in the United States House of Representatives and the Senate. Learn about the process of passing a bill in Congress, and how it differs from the City’s legislative branch.
Once a bill has passed both houses of Congress, it is sent to the President for approval. The President can choose to sign the bill into law or veto it. The President’s veto can be overridden by Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in each chamber.
In the City, legislation takes place in the Council and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). Learn about how a bill becomes law in the City, and how a Mayor’s veto can be overridden.
DCWP and other City agencies are required to notify employees and job applicants of the availability of federal student loan forgiveness programs. This bill would amend City laws to add a requirement that any agency that experiences a data breach involving a person’s personal identifying information, as defined in this bill, must promptly disclose the breach to that person, the Chief Privacy Officer and the Office of Cyber Command.
