On the way in to work this morning, it was reported that the Governor signed a number of bills into law.  So as I often do, I checked the State Legislature’s website to see if any of these recently enacted laws will impact my clients or my practice.

While the newspapers and other media outlets have so far focused on the series of laws that promote the state’s wine trails, it was another chapter that caught my eye.

Within the next six months, the Secretary of State will be required to annually publish local laws on the Department of State website in addition to publishing them in a separate volume as a supplement to the Session Laws.  Chapter 383 of the Laws of 2013 amends subdivision 5 of section 27 of the Municipal Home Rule Law so that it will also require the Secretary of State to publish a complete codification of all local laws in effect that have been adopted by the legislative body of each county on the Department of State’s website.

Soon, it will be easier for laypeople and attorneys alike to find Local Laws enacted pursuant to the State’s Municipal Home Rule Law.  This is another step in the right direction towards making government more open and accessible.