8/14/2019 Reforming New York State Ethics September

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REFORMING NEW YORK STATES ETHICS LAW: A COMPARISON

Current Laws Gov. Paterson Senate Bill (S.6064)1 Senate Bill (S.6157)

Chapter AmendmentEntitys structure Commission on Public

Integrity andCommission onLegislative Ethics

One commission tooversee executive andlegislative ethics andlobbying.

Three commissions: one for executiveethics, one for legislative, and one forlobbying.

In addition to provisions of S.6064,adds a new campaign financeenforcement entity.

Measures to bolsterindependence ofcommission

Governor makes 7 of13 appointments toCPI. No public officialsor state lobbyists mayserve.

No one legislativeleader dominatesappointments of 9members. Noagreement on the 9

th

pick to be chosen jointlyby Speaker and SenateLeader.

10 member screeningpanel chooses 5 membercommission.

No public officials orstate lobbyists mayserve.

Repeals existing lobbyingand executive laws,replaces provisions inpublic officers law.

Executive and lobbying has commissionsthat prohibit control by one elected official.

Executive 6 members, 2 eachby governor, attorney general andcomptroller. No public officials orstate lobbyists.

Lobbying 6 members, 2 bygovernor, one each by each oflegislative leaders. No publicofficials or state lobbyists.

Legislative 8 members, 2 each byleader. 4 legislators, 4 non-legislators.

Guarantees funding levels.

Board of campaign financeenforcement entity prohibits control byone elected official. Nine members,three by governor, one each ag, comp.,legislative leaders.

Expands prohibition of lobbyists andpublic officials to ethics and lobbyingcommissions and office of legislativeethics investigation, to 7 years.

Measures to bolsterindependence ofexecutive director.

Executive directorsserve at the pleasure ofcommissions.

Executive director servesat the pleasure of thecommission. No term.

Serves a 3 year term, can only beremoved for cause.

Campaign finance director has 3 yearterm, can only be removed for cause.

Additional issues N/AFor legislative ethics, creates a new officeof investigation, with 8 members 2 ofeach chosen by each leader. Executivedirector has a 3-year term and can only beremoved for cause.

Law sunsets in 6 years.

Clarifies that ethics entities can initiateinvestigations, allows for randomreviews of ethics filings,

Requires that campaign contributorsreport employers and occupations.

Law sunsets in 3 years.

Requires disclosureof names ofbusiness clients

Requires disclosure ofoutside income,however redacts it frompublic view.

No client disclosure.

N/AExpands current disclosures and makesthem more public.

Requires lobbyists to disclose businessrelationships with lawmakers. Morebusiness disclosures by public officials.

Expands disclosure requirements toinclude that public officials must reportbusiness relationships with lobbyists.

1 Companion legislation, A.9032, introduced by Speaker Silver and Minority Leader Kolb passed the Assembly 140-0.