New York Consolidated Laws, Education Law - EDN § 207. Legislative power

Subject and in conformity to the constitution and laws of the state, the regents shall exercise legislative functions concerning the educational system of the state, determine its educational policies, and, except, as to the judicial functions of the commissioner of education, establish rules for carrying into effect the laws and policies of the state, relating to education, and the functions, powers, duties and trusts conferred or charged upon the university and the education department.  But no enactment of the regents shall modify in any degree the freedom of the governing body of any seminary for the training of priests or clergymen to determine and regulate the entire course of religious, doctrinal or theological instruction to be given in such institution.  No rule by which more than a majority vote shall be required for any specified action by the regents shall be amended, suspended or repealed by a smaller vote than that required for action thereunder.  Rules or regulations, or amendments or repeals thereof, adopted or prescribed by the commissioner of education as provided by law shall not be effective unless and until approved by the regents, except where authority is conferred by the regents upon the commissioner of education to adopt, prescribe, amend or repeal such rules or regulations.