Chapter Amendments in New York: The 5-Step Process

A "chapter amendment" is what New York uses when it wants to fix or refine a statute after the Governor has signed it and it has become a chapter of the Laws of New York. Once a bill is signed, it cannot be "edited." Any change requires a new bill enacted through the ordinary legislative process. For background, see What Is a Chapter Amendment in New York?.

Below is a concise workflow you can keep in mind when you hear that a statute will be "fixed by chapter amendment."

Step-by-Step: How New York Makes Post-Enactment Changes

1. A problem, ambiguity, technical error, or need for refinement is identified at or after signing. Common reasons include technical corrections, clarifications, or substantive refinements. See Why Does New York Use Chapter Amendments?.
2. The Legislature drafts a new bill that explicitly amends the enacted chapter. A chapter amendment is a separate bill, not an informal edit. See What Is a Chapter Amendment in New York?.
3. The amendment bill is introduced and must follow the regular legislative procedure. It must be passed by both houses (Assembly and Senate) because it is new legislation.
4. The Governor acts on the amendment bill (signs it into law or vetoes it). A chapter amendment requires the Governor’s approval like any other bill.
5. If signed, the amendment becomes law and alters the original chapter. Until a chapter amendment is enacted, the original chapter remains fully operative law. See What Is a Chapter Amendment in New York?.

Note on Timing and Purpose: Chapter Amendment vs. Veto

A veto is a pre-enactment, binary decision: the Governor approves the bill as written or rejects it entirely. A chapter amendment is the post-enactment tool used when the Legislature wants to preserve the original policy choice but fix or refine the statutory text after it has become law. See Chapter Amendment vs. Veto in New York.

Related Posts

• What Is a Chapter Amendment in New York?
• Why Does New York Use Chapter Amendments?
• Chapter Amendment vs. Veto in New York