Each of New York State's 62 cities has a city charter, granted by the State Legislature, which forms the basis for the operation of city government. Amendments to these charters may be made by citizen initiated petitions, state or local laws and charter revision commissions, some of which would be subject to mandatory referendum.

The Committee has been examining the methods for amending city charters for almost a decade, including considering legislation that would change the composition of charter revision commissions and legislation that would repeal the provision that prevents citizen initiated ballot questions if a charter revision commission has been convened. The hearing will consider these and other issues related to city charter revisions.

Oral testimony will be by invitation only and limited to 10 minutes duration. Persons invited to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

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Persons invited to present testimony at the public hearing on City Charter Revisions to be held on March 5, 2010, or who wish to submit written testimony, are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, e-mail or fax it to: