Research Guide: Governor Appointments

NYS Governor Appointments: Nominations & Confirmations  

According to the state Constitution and statutory authority, the Governor’s appointment powers are generally subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.  Senate committees typically hold hearings on nominees before the entire Senate may consider confirmation.  

Section 7 of Senate Rule VII regarding nominations: 

Unless the Senate orders otherwise, all nominations sent by the Governor for the appointment of any officer shall be submitted to the Temporary President who shall then refer such nominations simultaneously to the Finance Committee, and the appropriate standing committee, for consideration and recommendation and such standing committees, other than the Committee on Judiciary shall thereafter refer such nominations to the Finance Committee of the Senate who shall take whatever further actions it deems necessary and thereafter make its report on the nominations to the full Senate. Any Senator may submit a request to the Chair of a Standing Committee considering a nomination, to speak before the committee for not more than five minutes on the nomination. The granting of any such request shall be at the sole discretion of the Committee Chair. A nomination shall not be confirmed without reference on the day on which it is received except by unanimous consent. The names of those who voted for or against the nomination may be entered alphabetically on the journal, if any five Senators request it. 

Senate Session Transcripts Database* (1993-present): Locate transcripts that mention a particular nominee by keyword searching the name of the nominee.

Nomination Hearings Videos (2009-present): Transcripts for nomination hearings are no longer produced. Video recordings are available via the Senate’s YouTube channels @NYSenate and @nysenateuncut. Generally, videos are available by committee and date.

Agendas Database* (2009-present): To identify the date a Senate committee considered a particular nominee, search the “Meeting Notes” field by nominee name to find a record indicating the date of the meeting and the name of the committee. 

Legislative Retrieval System: This subscription service provides records of Senate confirmations going back to 2010 under the Digest tab. The Miscellaneous Documents PDF files have lists that include position title, appointee name, and date of Senate approval.   

Legislative Record & Index/Legislative Digest (1917-present): Includes lists of confirmations.  

New York Red Book (1892-present): Contains biographical sketches of many appointees and includes confirmation dates.  

Journal of the Senate of the State of New York: Contains a daily record of the actions of the Senate, including committee actions on nominees and records of floor votes. The Journal provides messages from the governor, including requests for confirmation of nominees.  

Transcripts of Confirmation Hearings (microfilm: 1975-2017): Keyword search the name of a nominee in the Legislative Library's catalog. 

Public Papers of the Governors (print and online: 1777 to 1986): Available digitally in HeinOnline and in the Legislative Library's print collection at call number GOV 075.00-4. Include some records addressing appointments.  

New York State Archives maintains records of nominations. For access, email archref@nysed.gov or call (518) 474-8955 to schedule an appointment to visit Floor 11 of the Cultural Education Center at 222 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY 12230.

Relevant finding aids: 

• New York State Governor Registers of Appointments (1823 to 1970)  

• New York State Department of State Bureau of Miscellaneous Records Commissions by the Governor (1823 to 2002)  

• New York State Department of State Senate Resolutions Confirming Commissions by the Governor (1834 to 1870)  

• New York State Governor Registers of Applications for Office (1859 to 1911)  

• New York State Governor Appointment and Other Correspondence Files (1883 to 2006)  

• New York State Governor Press Releases Announcing Appointments (1933 to 2006) 

• New York State Senate Records of Confirmation of Gubernatorial Appointments (1936 to 1990) 

• New York State Department of State Notices of Senate Confirmation of Gubernatorial Appointments (1971 to 1996)

Handwritten records of gubernatorial nominations: 1966-2004

Senate Finance Committee and Senate Judiciary Committee provide lists of meetings. Some of the meetings include testimony regarding nominees as well as links to nomination hearing videos on YouTube.   

Annual Reports of Senate Committees (2017-present) sometimes list confirmations of nominees. Earlier reports are in our print collection and some are available in the New York State Library’s Digital Collection.  

Press Releases from the Governor: The Governor's Office often issues press releases regarding nominations. 

Nomination Hearing Transcripts: Some are available in the New York State Library’s Digital Collection.  

News Databases: Information on prominent nominees including dates of committee consideration and floor votes may be found in news articles.

* API Key registration may be required. If necessary, sign up for an API Key on this page, https://legislation.nysenate.gov/public. After email validation, use the API key to access the database.