Informal Opinion No.

William G. Ruger, Esq. County Attorney, Schuyler County

You have asked whether there is a procedure by which a county can change the terms of office of its legislators without undertaking a reapportionment under subclause 13 of section 10(1)(ii)(a) of the Municipal Home Rule Law. Your county does not have a charter.

A county, city, town or village may adopt and amend local laws that are consistent with the Constitution and general State laws in relation to the terms of office of its officers and employees (id., § 10 [1][ii][a][1]; New York Const, Art IX, § 2[c][1]). This authorization was added…