HD8 - Uniform State Laws


Executive Summary:
In 1889, the New York Bar Association appointed a special committee on uniformity of laws. The next year the New York legislature authorized the appointment of commissioners "to examine certain subjects of national importance that seem to show conflict among the laws of the several commonwealths, to ascertain the best means to effect an assimilation or uniformity of the laws of the states, especially whether it would be advisable for the State of New York to invite the other states of the Union to send representatives to a convention to draft uniform laws to be submitted for approval and adoption by the several states." In the same year, the American Bar Association passed a resolution recommending that each state provide for Commissioners to confer with the commissioners of other states on the subject of uniformity of legislation on certain subjects. In August 1892, the first National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws convened in Saratoga, New York. There have been 99 conferences since that time.

By 1912, every state was participating in the Conference. Since then, the Conference has steadily increased its contribution to state law and has attracted some of the most outstanding members of the legal profession. Prior to his more notable political prominence and service as President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson became a member in 1912. Supreme Court Justices Brandeis and Rutledge, current Chief Justice Rehnquist, and such legal scholars as Professors Wigmore, Williston, Pound, and Bogart have all served as members of the Conference.

The Conference began because of the concerns of state governments for the improvement of the law and for better interstate relationships. Its sole purpose remains service to state governments and improvement of state law.