2007-2008 Legislation Update
The following bills relating to the topics of ethics and lobbying were introduced during the 2008 Legislative Session. For more information on a particular bill and its status, click on the bill numbers below, or you may contact the bill's sponsor.
A01198 (Sponsored by Brodsky) Amends the State Constitution to require each branch of state government and political subdivision of the state to establish and abide by a code of ethics; requires ethics commissions; sets standards for codes.
A02912 (Sponsored by Grannis) Provides for annual publication of a list of registered lobbyists, including photos of the lobbyists.
A03546 (Sponsored by Kirwan) Bans public officials from providing anything of value to a person or organization required to file a report under the lobbying act who have made or promised to make a payment to a public official or the campaign of such public official.
A05091 (Sponsored by Sayward) Prohibits appropriations of state funds to be used by non-profit legal services providers to pursue causes and activities involving lobbying and other attempts to influence political or governmental processes. A06071 (Sponsored by Galef) Amends the State Finance Law to add a new section 169 to limit the influence lobbyists have over purchasing by New York State agencies.
A06071 (Sponsored by Galef) Amends the State Finance Law to add a new section 169 to limit the influence lobbyists have over purchasing by New York State agencies.
A07464 (Sponsored by Galef) Provides for annual publication of a list of lobbyists registered with the temporary state commission on lobbying; requires lobbyists to file a current photo for publication with a required list; provides such list shall be made available to the public upon request for a reasonable fee.
A08241 (Sponsored by Kavanagh, same as S03279A) Amends the Legislative Law as it relates to procurement lobbying, contingent retainers, the restricted period and restricted contacts.
S01223 (Sponsored by Kruger) Includes state officials and officials of colleges designated to engage in lobbying activity within the definition of "lobbyist" under the lobbying act, removing the former exemption of such officials.
S01719 (Sponsored by Winner) Prohibits any lobbyist from offering or giving any gift to a public official under the lobbying act; authorizes lobbyists to provide public officials with food and refreshments of a nominal value offered other than as part of a meal or complimentary attendance at widely attended events if offered by the sponsor where such attendance benefits the state or locality or is in furtherance of the public official's seeking or holding office.
S03469 (Sponsored by Oppenheimer) Amends the Public Officers Law to prohibit the use or exploitation of official position by an officer or employee of a state agency for political fundraising as a standard of ethics for state employees; makes unlawful use of official position, in the first or second degree, to engage in political fundraising a class E felony and class A misdemeanor, respectively.
Updated 3-11-08