Bill and Veto Jackets: Legislative Bill and Veto Jackets

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About the Objects
The New York State Archives has made Legislative Bill and Veto Jackets starting from 1995 available online. The jackets may be accessed by year and chapter as well as through a keyword search of the bill number and brief title.

Researchers can view jackets as they are added to the system by using the keyword search option. When entire years are completed, they will be available through the browse feature as well.

Researchers may download the PDF files from the Archives website at no charge.
Overview
Legislative bill and veto "jackets" are files partially documenting information considered by the Governor in approving or vetoing a bill. The Counsel to the Governor compiles the jackets, which include documents relating to a bill passed by the legislature and sent to the governor for approval. Jackets are comprised mainly of memoranda and correspondence to the governor (from state agencies, legislators, legislative committees, commissions, legal associations, lobbyists, private firms, and citizens) expressing approval of or opposition to particular legislation.

Until recent years, the jackets also contained a copy of the original bill and vote tallies in the Assembly and Senate. The jackets never contain internal memoranda originating in the Governors Office, nor do they contain transcripts of legislative floor debates or committee hearings. Therefore, the bill jackets provide only limited information on legislative intent and the Governors decision-making process.

The New York State Archives holds jackets from 1883-previous legislative year. Only partial jackets for years 1883, 1884, 1897, and 1905 survive. Pre-1920 records are closed to research because of extreme fragility. Bills for the previous legislative year are typically available in the Archives early in the current year.

The finding aid for the series provides more information.

For jackets not yet transferred to the Archives, researchers should contact the Governor's office at 518-474-7182.

Researchers may request copies by phoning the Archives at 518-474-8955. Due to the large volume of requests, the Archives is unable to provide expedited service via fax or e-mail.

To search, Archives staff requires both the year and chapter number of the requested law (Senate or Assembly introductory number is insufficient). Researchers lacking the chapter numbers may consult McKinneys or CLS edition of the Consolidated Laws, which are available at larger public and research libraries, or at the New York State Library.

When we receive the year and chapter number, staff will retrieve the jacket, count the pages, and provide an invoice number with the amount due. Prepayment is required for all orders. Local governments may submit a purchase order in place of a check or money order. See the State Archives' fee schedule for photocopy rates.

The State Library also receives copies of original bill and veto jackets on microform. Researchers may contact the State Library at email refserv@nysed.gov; or call the reference desk at 518-474-5355.

Related Series

Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2021 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2021 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2020 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2020 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2019 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2019 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2018 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2018 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2017 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2017 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2016 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2016 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2015 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2015 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2014 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2014 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2013 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2013 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2012 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2012 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2011 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2011 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2010 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2010 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2009 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2009 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2008 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2008 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2007 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2007 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2006 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2006 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2005 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2005 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2004 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2004 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2003 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2003 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2002 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2002 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2001 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2001 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2000 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 2000 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 1999 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 1999 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 1998 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 1998 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 1997 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 1997 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 1996 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 1996 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 1995 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 1995 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 1994 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 1994 bills
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 1993 vetoes
Legislative bill and veto jackets: 1993 bills