This publication provides a brief overview of significant New York State laws and regulations relating to local government records. A number of additional laws and regulations contain references to specific local records and their required retention. However, this report does not contain references to legal opinions and court decisions, nor does it provide legal interpretation or guidance. The purpose of this report is merely to provide a convenient summary of the most important records, laws, and regulations. The Local Government Records Law (Chapter 737, Laws of 1987), which took effect August 5, 1988, is noted as the most important statute dealing with local government records. The statement of legislative intent (Section 57.13) reads: "public records are essential to the administration of local government...and such records need to be systematically managed to ensure ready access to vital information." Nine additional subsections of Section 57 are noted and their contents described. The Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund Law was signed into law on May 1, 1989. This law creates the New York State Local Government Records Improvement Fund authorizing county clerks to collect fees for recording, entering, indexing, or endorsing a certificate on many kinds of documents. Thirteen subsections of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Pertaining to Local Government Records Management, Part 185, are noted and described. An additional 10 laws and regulations relating to local government records are included in this report, as well as a State Archives and Records Administration contact address and telephone number for further information. (DB)