What's happening
This bill allows Ellington and Charlotte to share one elected town justice for both town courts.
Why it matters
Directly impacts Ellington and Charlotte residents in Chautauqua County. by changing how local justice is administered, potentially affecting court accessibility, scheduling, and local representation in both towns.
Represents a significant local government restructuring. by abolishing separate town justice positions and consolidating them into one, which could streamline court processes but may also raise concerns about workload and responsiveness to community issues.
Follows a public, joint decision-making process. both towns conducted a study, held hearings, and passed resolutions—so the bill formalizes a locally-driven plan, setting a precedent for other small towns considering court consolidation to address resource or budget constraints.
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Who cares
Residents of Ellington and Charlotte
They may experience changes in local court operations, including potential impacts on access to justice, court schedules, and case processing times.
Current and Prospective Town Justices
The bill abolishes existing justice positions in both towns, directly affecting those currently holding or seeking these offices.
Local Government Officials
Town boards, clerks, and administrative staff will need to coordinate and implement the new system, including election procedures and court management.
Legal and Law Enforcement Professionals
Lawyers, police, and court employees who work in these towns may see procedural adjustments and changes in court logistics due to the consolidation of judicial leadership.
Headline styles
Share Town Justice Position
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to local government
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Share One Town Judge
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Andrew Molitor
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
10310
IN SENATE
May 12, 2026
Introduced by Sen. BORRELLO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government
AN ACT to authorize the towns of Ellington and Charlotte in Chautauqua county to elect a single town justice to preside in the town courts of such towns
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Pursuant to section 106-b of the uniform justice court act, the towns of Ellington and Charlotte in Chautauqua County have conducted and completed a study, each town having adopted a joint resolution providing for the study, conducted a public hearing upon the findings of the study, and adopted a joint resolution adopting such plan providing for the abolition of existing town justice positions in the towns of Ellington and Charlotte and providing for the election of a single town justice to preside in the town courts of such towns. The town justice elected pursuant to this plan shall preside in the towns of Ellington and Charlotte following the next general election in such towns and shall preside for the year term as elected.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15616-01-6
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to authorize the towns of Ellington and Charlotte in Chautauqua county to elect a single town justice to preside in the town courts of such towns
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill will authorize the town of Ellington and Charlotte in Chautau- qua County to elect a single town justice to preside in the town courts of such towns.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Pursuant to section-106-b of the uniform justice court act, the towns of Ellington and Charolotte in Chautauqua County have adopted a joint resolution that would abolish the existing town justice posi- tions in both towns and would elect a single town justice to preside in the town courts of such towns.
Section 2: This act shall take effect immediately. JUSTIFICATION: At the request of the Towns of Ellington and Charlotte, this legislation would consolidate the justice court into a single town justice located in the Town of Ellington, providing cost savings for residents of both towns.
Prior legislative history
2026: New Bill
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.