Roster
The
Committee on Legislation oversees the Section’s efforts to follow and provide
Section input regarding proposed legislation affecting real property. The Committee coordinates its activities with
the NYSBA’s Governmental Relations Office to keep track of real property
legislation and provide memoranda to the Legislature and appropriate government
officials from Section Committees; and, in some instances, initiates legislation. The Committee prepares and posts on the
Section’s website a Legislation Chart listing all real estate legislation
introduced in the current and prior session of the State Legislature, and
regularly updates the Chart as legislation moves through the legislative
process to approval and enactment.
Although the Committee generally avoids taking political positions
(particularly where different Committees of the Section may have different
views), it will, if the proposed legislation includes provisions that are
perceived as irrational, impractical, or harmful to the public good, attempt to
influence the legislative process by, among other things, talking with
legislators (often on a designated visit day), negotiating with other
interested groups, and preparing memoranda to the Legislature or the Governor
either supporting the proposed legislation and/or suggesting improvements. In recent years, the Committee played an
active role in modifying proposed legislation that would have prohibited
attorneys from acting as title agents, clarifying the Property Condition
Disclosure Act (as originally proposed), and promoting the modernization of the
Adverse Possession Law; and has worked to improve many other existing or
proposed laws affecting real estate law.
In short, this Committee performs a valuable service on behalf of the
Section, the public and the entire real estate bar, and needs volunteers to
assist in monitoring and commenting on legislation.
Committee membership is open to members of the Real Property Law Section.
July 2016
