State constitution
Constitution of New York
Data from NY State Senate
Full article/section structure (Articles I–XX) with condensed section text. Long official catchlines (e.g. the Judiciary and State/Local Finances articles) and dense fiscal detail are condensed to one faithful sentence per section; repealed sections are marked. Read the verbatim text at the source link.
Article I Bill of Rights
§ 1 Rights, privileges and franchise secured
No member of this State shall be disfranchised or deprived of any right or privilege secured to others unless by the law of the land or the judgment of their peers.
§ 2 Trial by jury; how waived
Trial by jury in all cases in which it has heretofore been guaranteed remains inviolate forever, though a jury may be waived in civil cases and in the manner prescribed for criminal cases.
§ 3 Freedom of worship; religious liberty
The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, is forever secured, provided it does not excuse acts of licentiousness or practices inconsistent with public peace or safety.
§ 4 Habeas corpus
The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless in case of rebellion or invasion the public safety requires it.
§ 5 Bail; fines; punishments; detention of witnesses
Excessive bail and fines shall not be required, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted, nor shall witnesses be unreasonably detained.
§ 6 Grand jury; rights of the accused; due process
No person shall be held for an infamous crime unless on indictment of a grand jury (with permitted waiver), be twice put in jeopardy, be compelled to be a witness against themselves, or be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.
§ 7 Compensation for taking private property; private roads; drainage
Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation, with special provisions for private roads and the drainage of agricultural lands.
§ 8 Freedom of speech and press; criminal prosecutions for libel
Every citizen may freely speak, write, and publish on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right; in libel prosecutions the truth may be given in evidence and the jury determines the law and the facts.
§ 9 Right to assemble and petition; gambling; state lotteries; pari-mutuel betting; bingo
No law shall abridge the right to peaceably assemble and petition; lotteries and gambling are prohibited except for specified state-operated lotteries for education, pari-mutuel horse-race betting, and authorized bingo and games of chance for charity.
§ 10 (Repealed)
Repealed.
§ 11 Equal protection of laws; discrimination prohibited
No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws, nor be subjected to discrimination in civil rights by any person or agency because of race, color, creed, or religion.
§ 12 Security against unreasonable searches, seizures and interceptions
The right of the people to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and the right against unreasonable interception of telephone and telegraph communications is protected; warrants require probable cause supported by oath.
§ 13 (Repealed)
Repealed.
§ 14 Common law and acts of the state legislatures
The common law and the statutes in force at the adoption of the Constitution continue as the law of the State, subject to alteration by the legislature.
§ 15 (Repealed)
Repealed.
§ 16 Damages for injuries causing death
The right of action to recover damages for injuries resulting in death shall never be abrogated, and the amount recoverable shall not be subject to any statutory limitation.
§ 17 Labor; hours and wages in public work; right to organize and bargain collectively
Labor is not a commodity; provisions govern hours and wages on public works, and employees have the right to organize and to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing.
§ 18 Workers' compensation
The legislature may enact laws requiring compensation for injuries or death of employees, and such laws are valid notwithstanding other constitutional provisions.
§ 19 Environmental rights
Each person has a right to clean air and water and a healthful environment.
Article II Suffrage
§ 1 Qualifications of voters
Every citizen 18 or older who meets the residence and registration requirements is entitled to vote at all elections.
§ 2 Absentee voting
The legislature may provide for voting by qualified voters who are absent or unable to appear at the polls.
§ 3 Persons excluded from the right of suffrage
The legislature may exclude from the right of suffrage persons convicted of specified infamous crimes.
§ 4 Certain occupations and conditions not to affect residence
Being in the military, a student, in an institution, or otherwise present for such reasons neither gains nor loses residence for voting.
§ 5 Registration and election laws to be passed
The legislature shall enact laws for the registration of voters and for the regulation of elections.
§ 6 Permanent registration
The legislature may provide for a system of permanent personal registration of voters.
§ 7 Manner of voting; identification of voters
All elections by the citizens shall be by ballot or by a mechanical method securing secrecy, except as otherwise provided.
§ 8 Bi-partisan registration and election boards
All laws creating boards or officers charged with registration or elections shall secure equal representation of the two major political parties.
§ 9 Entitlement to vote for presidential electors
The legislature may provide that a citizen otherwise qualified but not meeting durational residence may still vote for President and Vice President.
Article III Legislature
§ 1 Legislative power
The legislative power of the State is vested in the Senate and Assembly.
§ 2 Number and terms of senators and assembly members
The Senate and Assembly are composed of the members provided by this article, each elected for a two-year term.
§ 3 Senate districts
The Senate districts are constituted as provided, to be revised after each federal census.
§ 4 Readjustments and reapportionments; federal census to control
Senate and Assembly districts are readjusted and reapportioned after each federal census according to the rules stated.
§ 5 Apportionment of assembly members; creation of assembly districts
The 150 Assembly members are apportioned among the counties and assembly districts formed according to the stated rules.
§ 5-a Definition of inhabitants for apportioning
For apportionment purposes, inhabitants exclude aliens and, historically, certain other categories as defined.
§ 5-b Independent redistricting commission established
An independent redistricting commission is established to prepare redistricting plans for the Senate, Assembly, and congressional districts, subject to legislative action.
§ 6 Compensation, allowances and traveling expenses of members
Members receive an annual salary and allowances fixed by law, plus travel expenses, subject to limits on mid-term increases.
§ 7 Members; qualifications; civil appointments; vacating seat
Members must meet citizenship and residency qualifications and may not receive certain civil appointments during their term; accepting one vacates the seat.
§ 8 Time of elections of members
Members of the legislature are elected at the general election in even-numbered years.
§ 9 Powers of each house
A majority of each house constitutes a quorum; each house determines its rules, judges the elections and qualifications of its members, and chooses its officers.
§ 10 Journals; open sessions; adjournments
Each house keeps a journal, sits with open doors, and neither adjourns for more than two days without the other's consent.
§ 11 Members not to be questioned for speeches
Members shall not be questioned in any other place for any speech or debate in either house.
§ 12 Bills may originate in either house; may be amended by the other
Any bill may originate in either house and be amended by the other.
§ 13 Enacting clause of bills; no law except by bill
The enacting clause of all bills is 'The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows,' and no law is enacted except by bill.
§ 14 Manner of passing bills; message of necessity
No bill is passed unless printed and on the members' desks in final form three days before final passage, except on the Governor's message of necessity.
§ 15 Private or local bills to embrace only one subject expressed in title
No private or local bill shall embrace more than one subject, which must be expressed in its title.
§ 16 Existing law not to be made applicable by reference
No act shall be revived or amended by reference to its title only; the provisions revived or amended must be set forth at length.
§ 17 Cases in which private or local bills shall not be passed
The legislature shall not pass private or local bills on enumerated subjects where a general law can be made applicable.
§ 18 Extraordinary sessions; power to convene on legislative initiative
The legislature may convene itself in extraordinary session on the petition of two-thirds of the members of each house.
§ 19 Private claims not to be audited by legislature; stale claims barred
The legislature shall not audit or allow any private claim against the State, but may authorize its examination and allowance by the appropriate agency; stale claims are barred.
§ 20 Two-thirds bills
Certain bills, such as those appropriating public money or property for local or private purposes, require a two-thirds vote of each house.
§ 21 Certain sections not to apply to certain commission or agency bills
Some procedural requirements do not apply to bills recommended by designated commissioners or public agencies.
§ 22 Tax laws to state tax and object distinctly
Every law imposing a tax shall state the tax and the object to which it is applied distinctly, subject to a stated exception.
§ 23 When yeas and nays necessary; quorum for appropriations
On the final passage of appropriation and tax bills the yeas and nays are entered, and three-fifths of the members constitute a quorum for such bills.
§ 24 Prison labor; contract system abolished
The contract system of convict labor is abolished, and prison-made goods are regulated as provided.
§ 25 Continuity of governmental operations in emergencies
The legislature may provide for the continuity of State and local governmental operations during emergencies caused by enemy attack.
Article IV Executive
§ 1 Executive power; election and terms of governor and lieutenant-governor
The executive power is vested in the Governor, who, with the Lieutenant-Governor, is elected for a four-year term.
§ 2 Qualifications of governor and lieutenant-governor
The Governor and Lieutenant-Governor must be at least 30 years old and a resident and citizen of the State for the required period.
§ 3 Powers and duties of governor; compensation
The Governor is commander-in-chief of the militia, takes care that the laws are faithfully executed, may convene the legislature, and recommends measures; the Governor's salary is fixed by law.
§ 4 Reprieves, commutations and pardons
The Governor may grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons after conviction, except in cases of impeachment, subject to reporting requirements.
§ 5 When lieutenant-governor to act as governor
The Lieutenant-Governor acts as Governor in case of the Governor's absence, impeachment, or inability, and succeeds on a vacancy.
§ 6 Duties and compensation of lieutenant-governor; succession
The Lieutenant-Governor is president of the Senate with a casting vote, and the line of succession to the governorship is prescribed.
§ 7 Action by governor on legislative bills; reconsideration after veto
Every bill is presented to the Governor, who may approve or veto it; the legislature may override a veto by a two-thirds vote of each house, and the Governor has an item veto on appropriation bills.
§ 8 Departmental rules and regulations; filing; publication
Rules and regulations of State departments are filed and published as prescribed by law.
Article V Officers and Civil Departments
§ 1 Comptroller and attorney-general; election, qualifications and duties
The Comptroller and Attorney-General are elected for four-year terms; the Comptroller audits State accounts and the payment of State moneys without audit is void.
§ 2 Civil departments in state government
The civil administration is organized into not more than twenty civil departments.
§ 3 Assignment of functions; departments may be reduced
Functions are assigned among the departments, and their number may be reduced but not increased, by law.
§ 4 Department heads
The head of each department (except as otherwise provided) is appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate.
§ 5 (Repealed)
Repealed.
§ 6 Civil service appointments and promotions; veterans' preferences
Appointments and promotions in the civil service are made according to merit and fitness ascertained by competitive examination, with additional credits for honorably discharged veterans.
§ 7 Membership in retirement systems; benefits not to be diminished
Membership in a public retirement system is a contractual relationship, the benefits of which shall not be diminished or impaired.
Article VI Judiciary
§ 1 Unified court system established; organization
There is a unified court system for the State, organized as provided in this article, whose courts of record and process are established here.
§ 2 Court of appeals; judges; judicial nominating commission; vacancies
The Court of Appeals consists of a Chief Judge and six associate Judges appointed by the Governor from a commission's nominees with Senate confirmation, for fourteen-year terms.
§ 3 Court of appeals; jurisdiction
The jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals is limited to the review of questions of law, with stated exceptions.
§ 4 Judicial departments; appellate divisions of supreme court
The State is divided into judicial departments, in each of which an Appellate Division of the Supreme Court is constituted, with the Governor designating its justices.
§ 5 Appeals from judgment or order; power of appellate court
Appeals may be taken as of right or by permission as prescribed, and appeals taken to an unauthorized appellate court are transferred to the proper one.
§ 6 Judicial districts; supreme court continued; justices
The State is divided into judicial districts; the Supreme Court is continued, with justices elected for fourteen-year terms.
§ 7 Jurisdiction of supreme court; new classes of actions
The Supreme Court has general original jurisdiction in law and equity, and the legislature may grant it jurisdiction over new classes of actions.
§ 8 Appellate terms of supreme court; composition and jurisdiction
Appellate terms of the Supreme Court may be established to hear specified appeals, composed of designated justices.
§ 9 Court of claims continued; judges; jurisdiction
The Court of Claims is continued to hear claims against the State, with judges appointed by the Governor with Senate consent.
§ 10 County court continued; judges
The County Court is continued in each county outside New York City, with judges elected for ten-year terms.
§ 11 County court; jurisdiction; separate divisions
The County Court has jurisdiction over crimes and, within limits, civil actions arising in the county.
§ 12 Surrogate's court continued; judges; jurisdiction
The Surrogate's Court is continued in each county to handle decedents' estates and related matters, with surrogates elected as prescribed.
§ 13 Family court established; judges; jurisdiction
The Family Court is established statewide to handle matters concerning families and children, with judges elected or appointed as prescribed.
§ 14 Combination of certain judicial offices
The legislature may combine specified judicial offices in a county as provided.
§ 15 New York city; city-wide courts established; merger; jurisdiction
Within New York City the Civil Court and the Criminal Court of the City of New York are established, with their judges and jurisdiction as prescribed.
§ 16 District courts; jurisdiction; judges
The legislature may establish district courts in the counties outside New York City, with judges and jurisdiction as prescribed.
§ 17 Town, village and city courts; jurisdiction; judges
Town, village, and city courts outside New York City are continued or established, with their jurisdiction and judges regulated by law.
§ 18 Trial by jury; trial without a jury; claims against the state
The legislature may authorize trial without a jury in specified civil cases and regulates the trial of claims against the State.
§ 19 Transfer of actions and proceedings
Courts may transfer actions and proceedings among themselves as needed for proper disposition.
§ 20 Judicial office; qualifications and restrictions
Judges must have been admitted to the bar for the required period and are subject to restrictions on other employment and on holding public office.
§ 21 Vacancies; how filled
Vacancies in elective judicial offices are filled by appointment until a successor is elected, as prescribed.
§ 22 Commission on judicial conduct; discipline of judges
The Commission on Judicial Conduct investigates and may recommend the admonition, censure, removal, or retirement of judges, subject to review by the Court of Appeals.
§ 23 Removal of certain judges by legislature or on recommendation of governor
Certain judges may be removed by concurrent resolution of the legislature, or by the Senate on the Governor's recommendation, as provided.
§ 24 Court for the trial of impeachments
A Court for the Trial of Impeachments, composed of the President of the Senate, the senators, and the judges of the Court of Appeals, tries impeachments.
§ 25 Compensation and retirement of judges and justices
Judges receive compensation fixed by law, not diminished during their term, and retire at the age fixed by this article.
§ 26 Temporary assignments of justices or judges to other courts
Justices and judges may be temporarily assigned to other courts to meet the needs of the court system.
§ 27 Supreme court; extraordinary terms
Extraordinary terms of the Supreme Court may be appointed by the Governor or as otherwise provided.
§ 28 Administrative supervision of the courts
The Chief Judge is the chief judicial officer and, through a Chief Administrator, supervises the administration and operation of the unified court system.
§ 29 Allocation of cost of maintenance and operation of courts
The costs of operating the courts are borne as allocated by law between the State and localities.
§ 30 Regulation of jurisdiction, practice and procedure
The legislature has the power to regulate and the courts to adopt rules for the practice and procedure of the courts.
§ 31 Peacemakers and other Indian courts continued
The peacemakers' courts and other Indian courts are continued as heretofore provided.
§ 32 Safeguarding religion of children under jurisdiction of court
Provision is made to safeguard the religious faith of children placed under the jurisdiction of the courts.
§ 33 Existing laws to continue; legislature to implement article
Existing laws continue in force until superseded, and the legislature enacts laws to implement this article.
§ 34 Determination of pending appeals; terms of judges in office
Pending appeals, actions, and proceedings are determined, and the terms of judges in office are continued, as this article provides.
§ 35 Abolition of certain courts; transfer of judges and pending matters
Specified former courts are abolished and their judges, personnel, records, and pending matters are transferred to the courts of the unified system.
§ 36 Disposal of appeals, actions and proceedings
Appeals, actions, and proceedings pending at the reorganization are disposed of as provided.
§ 36-a Effective date of certain amendments to articles VI and VII
Sets the effective date of specified amendments to Articles VI and VII.
§ 36-c Effective date of certain amendments to article VI, sec. 22
Sets the effective date of specified amendments to Section 22 of this article.
§ 37 Effective date of article
States the effective date of this article.
Article VII State Finances
§ 1 Estimates of needed appropriations; hearings
The departments, the legislature, and the judiciary submit itemized estimates of their financial needs to the Governor, who holds hearings.
§ 2 Executive budget
The Governor submits to the legislature a budget containing a plan of expenditures and the revenues to meet them, with appropriation bills.
§ 3 Budget bills; appearances before legislature
The Governor's appropriation bills accompany the budget, and State officers may be required to appear before the legislature on the budget.
§ 4 Action on budget bills by legislature; effect
The legislature may strike out or reduce items in the Governor's appropriation bills but may not alter them except to add separate items, subject to the Governor's veto.
§ 5 Restrictions on consideration of other appropriations
Until the Governor's appropriation bills are acted upon, the legislature shall not consider other appropriations except emergency ones.
§ 6 Restrictions on content of appropriation bills
No provision not relating to appropriations shall be inserted in an appropriation bill, and appropriations are for the stated period.
§ 7 Appropriation bills
No money shall be paid out of the State treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation by law.
§ 8 Gift or loan of state credit or money prohibited; exceptions
The money or credit of the State shall not be given or loaned to or in aid of any private undertaking, subject to enumerated public-purpose exceptions.
§ 9 Short term state debts in anticipation of taxes and revenues
The State may contract short-term debt in anticipation of taxes, revenues, and the proceeds of authorized bonds, within stated limits.
§ 10 State debts for invasion, insurrection, war and forest fires
The State may contract debt to repel invasion, suppress insurrection, defend in war, or meet forest-fire emergencies, without a referendum.
§ 11 State debts generally; manner of contracting; referendum
No debt may be contracted on behalf of the State except by a law approved by the voters at a general election, subject to stated exceptions.
§ 12 State debts generally; how paid; use of bond proceeds
Every law contracting State debt provides for its payment within the stated period and restricts the use of the bond proceeds to the stated purpose.
§ 13 Refund of state debts
The State may refund its outstanding debt as provided.
§ 14 State debt for elimination of railroad crossings; highways and parkways
The State may contract debt for grade-crossing elimination and for constructing and reconstructing highways and parkways, as provided.
§ 15 Sinking funds; how kept and invested
Sinking funds for the payment of State debt are kept separate, invested, and applied only to that purpose.
§ 16 Payment of state debts; comptroller to pay without appropriation
The Comptroller pays the principal and interest on State debt as it becomes due without further appropriation.
§ 17 Tax revenue stabilization reserve funds
The legislature may establish tax-revenue stabilization reserve funds and regulate payments to and withdrawals from them.
§ 18 Bonus on account of service of certain veterans in World War II
Authorizes State debt to pay a bonus to certain World War II veterans.
§ 19 State debt for expansion of state university
Authorizes State debt for the expansion of the State University.
Article VIII Local Finances
§ 1 Gift or loan of credit of local subdivisions prohibited; exceptions
No county, city, town, village, or school district shall give or loan its money or credit to or in aid of any private undertaking, subject to enumerated exceptions.
§ 2 Restrictions on indebtedness of local subdivisions
Local subdivisions may contract indebtedness only for their own purposes and must provide for its payment within stated periods, subject to exceptions.
§ 2-a Local indebtedness for water, sewage and drainage facilities
Special provisions govern local indebtedness for water supply, sewage disposal, and drainage facilities, including exclusions from debt limits.
§ 3 Restrictions on creation and indebtedness of certain corporations
Restrictions apply to the creation of and indebtedness incurred by certain public benefit corporations and improvement districts.
§ 4 Limitations on local indebtedness
The amount of indebtedness a local government may contract is limited to a stated percentage of the average full valuation of its taxable real estate.
§ 5 Ascertainment of debt-incurring power; certain indebtedness excluded
Rules are provided for computing the debt-incurring power of counties, cities, towns, and villages, and for excluding certain indebtedness.
§ 6 Debt-incurring power of Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse
Special debt-incurring rules apply to Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, with certain additional indebtedness excluded.
§ 7 Debt-incurring power of New York city; certain indebtedness excluded
Special debt-incurring rules apply to New York City, with certain additional indebtedness excluded.
§ 7-a New York city; railroad and transit indebtedness excluded
Certain New York City indebtedness for railroads and transit purposes is excluded from its debt limit.
§ 8 Indebtedness not to be invalidated by operation of this article
No indebtedness validly incurred is invalidated by the operation of this article.
§ 9 When debt-incurring power of certain counties shall cease
Provides when the separate debt-incurring power of certain counties within New York City ceases.
§ 10 Limitations on real estate taxes for local purposes; exceptions
The amount that may be raised by real-estate taxes for local purposes is limited to a stated percentage of full valuation, with exceptions.
§ 10-a Application and use of revenues from certain public improvements
Revenues from certain public improvements may be applied as provided outside the tax and debt limitations.
§ 11 Taxes for certain capital expenditures excluded from tax limitation
Taxes to pay for certain capital expenditures are excluded from the tax limitation.
§ 12 Further limitations on local powers of taxation and indebtedness
The legislature may further restrict the powers of local governments to levy taxes and contract indebtedness.
Article IX Local Governments
§ 1 Bill of rights for local governments
Local governments are guaranteed enumerated rights, including elected legislative bodies, home-rule powers, and protections against unfunded transfers of function.
§ 2 Powers and duties of legislature; home rule powers; statute of local governments
The legislature provides for local governments and grants them powers of local self-government, and enacts a Statute of Local Governments granting protected powers.
§ 3 Existing laws to remain applicable; construction; definitions
Existing laws remain applicable until changed, and this article is liberally construed; key terms are defined.
Article X Corporations
§ 1 Corporations; formation of
Corporations are formed under general laws; special charters are granted only where a general law cannot be made applicable.
§ 2 Dues of corporations
Dues from corporations are secured by other means than by imprisonment or by the individual liability of stockholders, except as provided.
§ 3 Savings bank charters; restrictions; special charters not granted
Savings banks are chartered under general law, with restrictions on their trustees; special charters are not granted.
§ 4 Corporations; definition; right to sue and be sued
The term 'corporation' includes associations with corporate powers, and all corporations have the right to sue and are subject to being sued.
§ 5 Public corporations; restrictions on creation and powers
Public corporations are created only by special act, keep accounts as prescribed, and their obligations are regulated.
§ 6 Liability of state for thruway bonds; use of canal lands
The State may guarantee bonds of a public corporation to construct State thruways, and canal lands may be used therefor.
§ 7 Liability of state for port of New York authority obligations
The State may guarantee obligations of the Port of New York Authority to purchase railroad passenger equipment.
§ 8 Liability of state for obligations financing plants in depressed areas
The State may guarantee obligations of a public corporation issued to finance new industrial or manufacturing plants in depressed areas.
Article XI Education
§ 1 Common schools
The legislature shall provide for the maintenance and support of a system of free common schools wherein all the children of the State may be educated.
§ 2 Regents of the University
The corporation created as the Regents of the University of the State of New York is continued under the name of the University of the State of New York.
§ 3 Use of public property or money for denominational schools prohibited
Neither the State nor any subdivision shall use public property or money in aid of any denominational school, though transportation of children may be authorized.
Article XII Defense
§ 1 Defense of state; organized militia
The defense and protection of the State and nation being a duty of all citizens, the legislature provides for and maintains an organized militia.
Article XIII Public Officers
§ 1 Oath of office; no other test for public office
Each officer takes an oath to support the federal and State Constitutions and to faithfully discharge their duties; no other oath or test may be required.
§ 2 Duration of term of office
When the term of an office is not fixed by the Constitution, it is fixed by law.
§ 3 Vacancies in office; how filled
The legislature provides for filling vacancies in office not otherwise provided for.
§ 4 Political year and legislative term
The political year and the legislative term begin on the first day of January.
§ 5 Removal from office for misconduct
The legislature may provide for the removal of officers for misconduct or malversation in office.
§ 6 When office to be deemed vacant; legislature may declare
The legislature may declare the cases in which an office shall be deemed vacant when not otherwise provided.
§ 7 Compensation of officers
The compensation of an officer shall not be increased or diminished during the term for which elected or appointed, subject to exceptions.
§ 8 Election and term of city and certain county officers
City and certain county officers are elected at the times and for the terms prescribed to separate local elections from State and national ones.
§ 13 Law enforcement and other officers
Provision is made for district attorneys, sheriffs, county clerks, registers, and other local officers, their election and terms.
§ 14 Legislature may regulate wages and hours on public work
The legislature may regulate the wages, hours, and conditions of employment of public employees and of persons employed on public contracts.
Article XIV Conservation
§ 1 Forest preserve to be forever kept wild; exceptions
The lands of the State constituting the forest preserve shall be forever kept as wild forest lands and not sold, leased, or their timber sold, subject to enumerated narrow exceptions.
§ 2 Reservoirs
The legislature may authorize the use of forest-preserve lands for specified reservoirs and river regulation as provided.
§ 3 Forest and wild life conservation; disposition of certain lands
Provisions authorize forest and wildlife conservation and the use or disposition of certain forest-preserve lands for enumerated purposes.
§ 4 Protection of natural resources; development of agricultural lands
It is the policy of the State to conserve and protect its natural resources and scenic beauty and to encourage the development of its agricultural lands.
§ 5 Violations of article; how restrained
A violation of this article may be restrained at the suit of the people or, with the consent of the Supreme Court, of a citizen.
§ 6 (No section heading)
Contains an additional conservation provision enacted without a catchline.
Article XV Canals
§ 1 Disposition of canals and canal properties prohibited
The canals and the State's canal properties shall not be sold, abandoned, or otherwise disposed of, except as this article allows.
§ 2 Prohibition inapplicable to lands no longer useful; disposition authorized
Canal lands and properties no longer useful for canal purposes may be disposed of as authorized.
§ 3 No tolls; contracts for work and materials; no extra compensation
No tolls are imposed on the canals; contracts for canal work and materials are let as provided and no extra compensation is allowed.
§ 4 Lease or transfer of barge canal to federal government authorized
The legislature may authorize the lease or transfer of the barge canal to the federal government.
Article XVI Taxation
§ 1 Power of taxation; exemptions from taxation
The power of taxation shall never be surrendered or suspended, and exemptions may be granted only by general law and may be repealed.
§ 2 Assessments for taxation purposes
The legislature provides for the supervision and review of assessments of real property for taxation, to secure uniformity.
§ 3 Situs of intangible personal property; taxation of
Intangible personal property is not taxed on the basis of situs unless owned by a resident, and money and credits are taxed as provided.
§ 4 Certain corporations not to be discriminated against
Corporations organized under the laws of other states doing business in New York shall not be discriminated against in taxation.
§ 5 Compensation of public officers subject to taxation
The compensation of public officers and employees is subject to taxation like other income.
§ 6 Municipal redevelopment projects; allocation of real property taxes
The legislature may authorize the allocation of real-property taxes to finance municipal redevelopment projects.
Article XVII Social Welfare
§ 1 Public relief and care
The aid, care, and support of the needy are public concerns and shall be provided by the State and its subdivisions as the legislature may determine.
§ 2 State board of social welfare; powers and duties
The legislature provides for a State board of social welfare with the powers and duties prescribed regarding welfare institutions.
§ 3 Public health
The protection and promotion of the health of the people is a public concern, and the legislature provides for its protection.
§ 4 Care and treatment of persons with mental disorder; visitation
The care and treatment of persons with mental disorder or defect is provided for, and the institutions serving them are subject to visitation and inspection.
§ 5 Institutions for detention of criminals; probation; parole; correction
The legislature provides for institutions for the detention of persons charged with or convicted of crime, and for a state commission of correction and systems of probation and parole.
§ 6 Visitation and inspection
State charitable, welfare, and correctional institutions are subject to visitation and inspection as provided.
§ 7 Loan of public funds for hospital facilities
The legislature may authorize loans of public funds to nonprofit corporations for hospital and health-care facilities.
Article XVIII Housing
§ 1 Low-income housing and slum clearance
The State may provide for low-rent housing and nursing-home accommodations for persons of low income and for the clearance of substandard and unsanitary areas.
§ 2 Powers of legislature in aid of housing
The legislature may grant powers and provide aid, including loans and subsidies, to carry out the housing and slum-clearance purposes of this article.
§ 3 Article VII to apply to state debts under this article; amortization; subsidies
State debts contracted under this article are subject to Article VII, with stated exceptions, and provisions govern their amortization and the capital and periodic subsidies.
§ 4 Powers of cities, towns and villages to contract indebtedness for housing
Cities, towns, and villages may contract indebtedness in aid of low-rent housing and slum-clearance projects, subject to stated restrictions.
§ 5 Liability for certain loans made by the state to public corporations
Provisions govern liability for certain loans made by the State to public corporations for housing purposes.
§ 6 Loans and subsidies; restrictions on and preference in occupancy
Loans and subsidies for housing are subject to restrictions, and preference in occupancy of projects is regulated.
§ 7 Liability from guarantees deemed indebtedness; computation
Liability arising from State guarantees under this article is deemed indebtedness and is computed as provided.
§ 8 Excess condemnation
In carrying out this article, property in excess of that needed may be acquired (excess condemnation) as authorized.
§ 9 Acquisition of property for purposes of article
Property may be acquired, by condemnation or otherwise, for the purposes of this article.
§ 10 Power of legislature; construction of article
The powers conferred by this article are additional to other powers, and the article is liberally construed to accomplish its purposes.
Article XIX Amendments to Constitution
§ 1 Amendments; how proposed, voted upon and ratified
An amendment proposed in the legislature and agreed to by a majority of each house in two successive legislatures is submitted to the voters and takes effect if approved by a majority.
§ 2 Future constitutional conventions; how called
Every twenty years, and at other times by law, the voters decide whether to hold a constitutional convention; delegates are elected and their proposals submitted to the voters.
§ 3 Amendments simultaneously submitted by convention and legislature
When amendments proposed by a convention and by the legislature conflict, the manner of submission and their effect are as provided.
Article XX When to Take Effect
§ 1 Time of taking effect
This Constitution took effect on January 1, 1895, except as otherwise provided.
Full, verbatim text at NY State Senate