State Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol

The Commission was originally organized in 1979 and was reauthorized annually until 1988, when it was authorized for five-year periods by L. 1988, c. 303; L. 1993, c. 31; L.  1998, c. 25; L. 2003, c. 37; and L. 2008, c. 92.; L. 2013, c. 207; L. 2018, c. 55, and L.2023, c.55.

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The State Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol consists of 13 total members. Eleven of the members are appointed (five appointed by the Governor, two appointed by the Temporary President of the Senate, two appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, one appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, one appointed by the Minority Leader of the Assembly) as well as two ex-officio members, the Commissioner of General Services and the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

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The New York State Capitol is a historic work of architecture. It is important that it be maintained in a manner consistent with its original design. The maintenance and restoration of the Capitol is an ongoing project that requires continual oversight to ensure that the restoration process maintains the integrity of the original design and historical authenticity of the Capitol. The Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol is organized and empowered to ensure that the Capitol is properly maintained and preserved for future generations.

The Commission has the following functions, duties, and powers:

• Review the master plan, submit proposed revisions (if any), and make recommendations to the plan and implementation of the plan;
• Make other studies, reports, and recommendations as advisable with respect to the restoration, rehabilitation, preservation, improvement and utilization of the Capitol and its grounds, exclusive of chambers, offices, and other facilities of the Legislature;
• Render advice and assistance to the Legislature upon request for legislative chambers, offices, and other legislative facilities;
• Provide advice on the development of plans and specifications for all master plan projects that may be approved, including the selection of qualified architects;

The Commission must issue an annual report on or before December 31st of each year. The annual report shall include an update on the status of the implementation of the master plan. The report will be delivered to the Governor and the Legislature.

Together with the Commissioner of General Services and the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Commission shall consist of eleven members as follows: 

• Five members shall be appointed by the governor;
• Two members shall be appointed by the temporary president of the Senate.
• Two members shall be appointed by the speaker of the Assembly;
• One member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;
• One member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Assembly.

Members serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for actual expenses. 

Past Meetings

• November 3, 2025
• March 3, 2026

• 1979: Supervised a multi-volume historic structure report to document the Capitol’s history, original design, and subsequent alterations.
• 1982: Published a master plan for the New York State Capitol to guide its restoration, rehabilitation, and construction of new spaces to address functional improvements, life safety concerns, and ADA compliance.
• 1983: Published the proceedings of the Capitol Symposium.
• 1984-1985: Guided the restoration of the Executive Chamber restoration with OGS and developed brochures.
• 1983-1987: Assisted OGS with the restoration of Senate Conference Rooms 123-125.
• 1983: Rehabilitated the Court of Appeals, Room 250, with OGS to function as a temporary press room.
• 1994-1997: Restored the murals, floors, and doors at the Governor’s Reception Room, Room 269, with OGS, oversaw the design and fabrication of bronze torchieres, and created accompanying interpretive materials.
• 1998-2002: Assembly Chamber projects that included decorative finishes, replication of historic windows, restoration of vaulted ceilings in the galleries, and ADA compliance.
• 1998: Restoration of original decorative paint schemes in offices and public spaces.
• 2002-2005: Restored the Assembly speaker’s conference room and office, the Assembly majority leader’s office, and the Assembly Parlor.
• 1998 - 2012: Assisted OGS with rehabilitating the Capitol’s Great Western Staircase, roof, elevators, Hall of Governors and skylights at the Senate and Assembly staircases.
• 2014: Revised and corrected the third edition of the Capitol Story.