NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A4617
SPONSOR: Kolb (MS) TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the state finance law, in relation to requiring trans-
parency, identification and disclosure of certain appropriations and
intended recipients (Part A); to establish the commission on official
conduct, providing for its powers, duties and functions, and providing
for the transfer of the functions, powers and duties of the commission
on public integrity, the office of the state inspector general and the
former temporary state commission of investigation to the commission on
official conduct; to amend the civil service law and the legislative
law, in relation to the commission on public integrity; to amend the
racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law in relation to membership
on the franchise oversight board; to amend the public authorities law
and the executive law, in relation to the state inspector general; to
amend the criminal procedure law, the executive law and the public offi-
cers law, in relation to the former temporary state commission of inves-
tigation; to repeal section 94 of the executive law relating to the
joint commission on public ethics; to repeal article 4-A of the execu-
tive law and subdivision 68 of section 2.10 of the criminal procedure
law relating to the office of the state inspector general; and to repeal
chapter 989 of the laws of 1958, relating to creating a temporary state
commission of investigation, relating thereto (Part B); to amend the
election law, in relation to forfeiture of unspent campaign funds after
criminal conviction and resignation of the elected official (Part C); to
amend the penal law, in relation to failure to report corruption (Part
D); to amend the election law, in relation to limitations on use of
campaign contributions (Part E); to amend the election law, in relation
to filing late campaign disclosure statements (Part F); and to amend the
legislative law, in relation to limiting the amount of time a legislator
may serve as a legislative leader (Part G)
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill enacts numerous reforms to restore accountability to New York
State government including: reforming member items; replacing the sepa-
rate investigative authorities with a new Commission on Official
Conduct; requiring the return of campaign funds to donors or charity
upon felony convictions; creating a new crime for failure to report
corruption; limiting use of campaign funds to campaign activities;
creating penalties for filing late campaign disclosure statements; and
instituting eight-year term limits for legislative leaders and committee
chairs.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Contains the title the "Public Officers Accountability Act of
2015."
Section 2. Contains the legislative intent which expresses the support
of two stand-alone constitutional amendments that remove pension bene-
fits from public officials who are convicted of a felony related to
their official duties and prohibit public officers convicted of a felo-
ny, related to their official duties, and removed from office from ever
serving in the Legislature in the future.
Contains the following reforms divided into Parts A - G outlined as
follows:
I. Part A: Member Item Reform
A. This part requires every appropriation for any discretionary request
by the Governor or any member or any Member Item to be itemized in the
budget and to include the name of the Governor or member requesting the
appropriation.
B. This part requires the Governor or member requesting the appropri-
ation to submit a form to the Attorney General indicating that no
conflict of interest exists.
C. Also, prohibits any appropriation at the discretion of the Governor
or a member when a conflict of interest exists, including appropriations
to organizations that employ or compensate the Governor, the legislator,
a family member or any person sharing the home of the Governor or
member.
II. Part B: Commission on Official Conduct
A. This part establishes a new five-member Commission on Official
Conduct that would assume the duties of the following:
i. The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE);
ii. The Office of the State Inspector General; and
iii. The Former Temporary State Commission of Investigation.
B. Commission on Official Conduct Appointments:
i. One member appointed by the Chief Judge of the court of Appeals, who
will serve as the Commission Chair;
ii. One member appointed by the presiding justice of the appellate divi-
sion in the first department;
iii. One member appointed by the presiding justice of the appellate
division in the second department;
iv. One member appointed by the presiding justice of the appellate divi-
sion in the third department; and
v. One member appointed by the presiding justice of the appellate divi-
sion in the fourth department.
C. Each member of the commission will serve a five-year term. However,
the members that are initially appointed would serve a term in the
following manner:
i. The member appointed by the presiding justice in the fourth depart-
ment shall serve a term of one year;
ii. The member appointed by the presiding justice in the second depart-
ment shall serve a term of two years;
iii. The member appointed by the presiding justice in the third depart-
ment shall serve a term of three years;
iv. The member appointed by the presiding justice in the first depart-
ment shall serve a term of four years; and
v. The member appointed by the chief judge of the court of appeals shall
serve a term of five years.
III. Part C: Campaign Contribution Forfeiture
A. This part requires unspent contributions received by an elected offi-
cial that is convicted of a felony related to his/her duties to be
returned to the private source of the contributions within the elected
official's district (or to private sources within the state for a state-
wide elected official). If the contributions came from outside the
district (or state for statewide officials), or if the private source of
the contributions cannot be located, the unspent contributions would be
donated to a charity within the elected official's district, when prac-
ticable.
B. The Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, the Temporary President of
the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Assembly, and the Minority Leader
of the Senate can deem charitable organizations ineligible to receive
forfeited donations.
IV. Part D: Failure to Report Corruption (new crime)
A. This part establishes a class A misdemeanor for a public servant who
fails to report corruption to a district attorney or to the Commission
on Official Conduct when he/she knows another person is guilty - subject
to a fine of $1,000 and/or up to one year in prison.
V. Part E: Prohibition on Campaign Funds for Personal Use
A. This part prohibits use of campaign contributions for personal use
that are not related to campaign purposes or activities including:
i. criminal attorney or legal fees;
ii. food;
iii. salary payments to a person or a family member;
iv. automobile purchases or leases;
v. travel and mileage;
vi. residential or household items;
vii. mortgage, rent, or utility payments;
viii. funeral, cremation, or burial;
ix. clothing;
x. tuition payments;
xi. childcare;
xii. dues, fees, or gratuities at a country club, health club, fraternal
organization, professional organization, or recreational facility;
xiii. admission to a sporting event, concert, theater, or other form of
entertainment;
xiv. payment of any fines, fees, or penalties;
xv. any other expenditure designated by the Commission on Official
Conduct as constituting personal use.
VI. Part F: Penalty for Filing Late Campaign Disclosure Statements
A. This part states that candidates, political committees or those
acting on a candidate's behalf that willfully fail to file financial
statements within 30 days after the deadline, unless granted an exten-
sion, would be subjected to the following civil penalties by the Commis-
sion on Official Conduct:
i. $1,000 for a first offense; and
ii. $2,500 for a second offense and every offense committed thereafter.
VII. Part G: Term Limits for Leaders and Committee Chairs
A. This part limits the time any Assembly member or Senator may serve as
a legislative leader or committee chair to no more than four consecutive
two-year terms.
Section 3. Contains the severability clause. Section 4. Contains the
effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
A recent Siena Research Institute poll illustrated the eroding confi-
dence New Yorkers have in their public officials in the aftermath of
recent corruption scandals. The poll showed 86 percent of voters said
corruption in Albany is a very serious or somewhat serious problem.
The "Public Officers Accountability Act of 2015" specifically targets
the problem of corruption and criminal activity in state government, and
provides severe consequences for elected officials and public officers
who defy the public's trust. This legislation contains real reforms to
curtail abuses of office, state funds and campaign funds. The "Public
Officers Accountability Act of 2015" is necessary to restore account-
ability and public confidence in New York State government.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2013-14 (A.7393), Held in Governmental Operations.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that the
applicable effective dates of parts A through G of this act shall be as
specifically set forth in the last section of such Parts.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
4617
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 5, 2015
___________
Introduced by M. of A. KOLB, BARCLAY, BLANKENBUSH, BORELLI, BRABENEC,
BUTLER, CERETTO, CORWIN, CROUCH, CURRAN, DiPIETRO, DUPREY, FINCH,
FITZPATRICK, FRIEND, GARBARINO, GIGLIO, GOODELL, GRAF, HAWLEY, JOHNS,
KATZ, LALOR, LAWRENCE, LOPEZ, LUPINACCI, MALLIOTAKIS, McDONOUGH,
McKEVITT, McLAUGHLIN, MONTESANO, MURRAY, NOJAY, OAKS, PALMESANO,
PALUMBO, RA, RAIA, SALADINO, STEC, TEDISCO, TENNEY, WALTER, WOZNIAK --
read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the state finance law, in relation to requiring trans-
parency, identification and disclosure of certain appropriations and
intended recipients (Part A); to establish the commission on official
conduct, providing for its powers, duties and functions, and providing
for the transfer of the functions, powers and duties of the commission
on public integrity, the office of the state inspector general and the
former temporary state commission of investigation to the commission
on official conduct; to amend the civil service law and the legisla-
tive law, in relation to the commission on public integrity; to amend
the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law in relation to
membership on the franchise oversight board; to amend the public
authorities law and the executive law, in relation to the state
inspector general; to amend the criminal procedure law, the executive
law and the public officers law, in relation to the former temporary
state commission of investigation; to repeal section 94 of the execu-
tive law relating to the joint commission on public ethics; to repeal
article 4-A of the executive law and subdivision 68 of section 2.10 of
the criminal procedure law relating to the office of the state inspec-
tor general; and to repeal chapter 989 of the laws of 1958, relating
to creating a temporary state commission of investigation, relating
thereto (Part B); to amend the election law, in relation to forfeiture
of unspent campaign funds after criminal conviction and resignation of
the elected official (Part C); to amend the penal law, in relation to
failure to report corruption (Part D); to amend the election law, in
relation to limitations on use of campaign contributions (Part E); to
amend the election law, in relation to filing late campaign disclosure
statements (Part F); and to amend the legislative law, in relation to
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06996-01-5
A. 4617 2
limiting the amount of time a legislator may serve as a legislative
leader (Part G)
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
2 the "public officers accountability act of 2015".
3 § 2. This act enacts into law major components of legislation provid-
4 ing for member item reform, creating a new Commission on Official
5 Conduct, requiring forfeiture of campaign funds upon felony convictions,
6 creating a new crime for failure to report corruption, limiting use of
7 campaign funds, enhancing penalties for filing late campaign disclosure
8 statements, and limiting terms of leaders and committee chairs. Each
9 component is wholly contained within a Part identified as Parts A
10 through G. The effective date for each particular provision contained
11 within such Part is set forth in the last section of such Part. Any
12 provision in any section contained within a Part, including the effec-
13 tive date of the Part, which makes a reference to a section "of this
14 act", when used in connection with that particular component, shall be
15 deemed to mean and refer to the corresponding section of the Part in
16 which it is found. Section four of this act sets forth the general
17 effective date of this act. The "public officers accountability act of
18 2015" provided in this act, includes the support of constitutional
19 amendments that are consistent with the intent of this act. The legisla-
20 ture supports constitutional proposals that remove pension benefits from
21 public officials who are convicted of a felony related to such individ-
22 ual's official duties and to provide that no person who is convicted of
23 a felony, related to such official duties, shall be eligible to serve in
24 the legislature.
25 PART A
26 Section 1. Subdivisions 4 and 5 of section 24 of the state finance
27 law, as added by chapter 1 of the laws of 2007, are amended to read as
28 follows:
29 4. Any appropriation submitted by the governor or added to such budget
30 bills, pursuant to section four of article seven of the constitution,
31 shall only contain itemized appropriations which shall not be in the
32 form of lump sum appropriations, and provided further that for all non-
33 federal state operations appropriations, such bill or bills shall only
34 contain itemized appropriations and shall be made, where practicable, by
35 agency, and within each agency by program and within each program at the
36 following level of detail and in the following order:
37 (a) by fund type, which at a minimum shall include general fund,
38 special revenue-other funds, capital projects funds and debt service
39 funds;
40 (b) for personal service appropriations, separate appropriations shall
41 be made for regular personal service, temporary personal service, and
42 holiday and overtime pay;
43 (c) for nonpersonal service appropriations, separate appropriations
44 shall be made for supplies and materials, travel, contractual services,
45 equipment and fringe benefits, as appropriate; and
A. 4617 3
1 (d) at the request or discretion of the governor or a member of the
2 legislature, such appropriation shall include the name of the governor
3 or member of the legislature.
4 5. [Any appropriation added pursuant to section four of article seven
5 of the constitution without designating a grantee shall be allocated
6 only pursuant to a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees with
7 the amount to be received by each, or the methodology for allocating
8 such appropriation. Such plan shall be subject to the approval of the
9 chair of the senate finance committee, the chair of the assembly ways
10 and means committee, and the director of the budget, and thereafter
11 shall be included in a concurrent resolution calling for the expenditure
12 of such monies, which resolution must be approved by a majority vote of
13 all members elected to each house upon a roll call vote.] Any appropri-
14 ation submitted by the governor or added to such budget bills, pursuant
15 to section four of article seven of the constitution, shall be subject
16 to the following:
17 (a) the governor or member of the legislature requesting such appro-
18 priation shall be required to submit a signed conflict of interest form
19 and submit such form to the attorney general to ensure that no conflict
20 of interest exists; the attorney general shall designate the form and
21 content of the conflict of interest form. The governor or member of the
22 legislature shall disclose on the conflict of interest form all poli-
23 tical donations he or she is receiving or has received in the past from
24 the intended recipient of the appropriation funding. Such a conflict of
25 interest form shall be signed by the governor or member of the legisla-
26 ture under penalty of perjury; and
27 (b) an appropriation provided at the discretion of the governor or
28 member of the legislature shall not be provided if a conflict of inter-
29 est exists between the governor or a member of the legislature designat-
30 ing the appropriation and the potential recipient. These appropriations
31 cannot fund organizations that employ or otherwise compensate the gover-
32 nor or member of the legislature, governor's family or member of the
33 legislator's family, any person sharing the home of the governor or
34 member of the legislature or the governor's or a member of the legisla-
35 tor's staff for services or labor rendered. Furthermore, the governor or
36 members of the legislature shall not designate appropriations if the
37 governor or member of the legislature, a member of the governor's or
38 member of the legislator's family, any person sharing the home of the
39 governor or member of the legislature or a member of the governor's or
40 member of the legislator's staff is involved with the operations of the
41 organization in a decision-making capacity including but not limited to
42 working on an unpaid, volunteer basis or as a member of the directing
43 board of an organization.
44 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
45 PART B
46 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
47 the "commission on official conduct act".
48 § 2. Definitions. As used in this act, the following terms shall have
49 the following meanings:
50 (a) "Commission" means the commission on official conduct established
51 by section three of this act.
52 (b) "Executive director" means the executive director of the commis-
53 sion, appointed pursuant to section four of this act.
A. 4617 4
1 (c) "Covered agency" means all executive branch agencies, departments,
2 divisions, officers, boards and commissions, public authorities (other
3 than multi-state or multi-national authorities) and public benefit
4 corporations, the heads of which are appointed by the governor, and
5 which do not have their own inspector general by statute.
6 (d) Covered individual means all statewide elected officials, members
7 of the legislature and employees of the legislature, and state officers
8 and employees, as defined in sections 73 and 73-a of the public officers
9 law, candidates for statewide elected office and for the senate or
10 assembly, and the political party chairman as that term is defined in
11 section 73-a of the public officers law, lobbyists and the clients of
12 lobbyists as such terms are defined in article 1-A of the legislative
13 law, and individuals who have formerly held such positions, were lobby-
14 ists or clients of lobbyists, as such terms are defined in article 1-A
15 of the legislative law, or who have formerly been such candidates.
16 § 3. Commission on official conduct; established. (a) There is hereby
17 established, as an independent state agency, the commission on official
18 conduct. The commission shall consist of five members appointed as
19 follows:
20 (1) one member appointed by the chief judge of the court of appeals,
21 who shall serve as the chair of the commission;
22 (2) one member appointed by the presiding justice of the appellate
23 division in the first department;
24 (3) one member appointed by the presiding justice of the appellate
25 division in the second department;
26 (4) one member appointed by the presiding justice of the appellate
27 division in the third department; and
28 (5) one member appointed by the presiding justice of the appellate
29 division in the fourth department.
30 (b) Each member of the commission shall serve a term of five years
31 commencing on the first of January of the calendar year in which the
32 vacancy in such office occurs; provided, however, that for the members
33 initially appointed as members, the member appointed by the presiding
34 justice in the fourth department shall serve a term of one year, the
35 member appointed by the presiding justice in the second department shall
36 serve a term of two years, the member appointed by the presiding justice
37 in the third department shall serve a term of three years, the member
38 appointed by the presiding justice in the first department shall serve a
39 term of four years and the member appointed by the chief judge of the
40 court of appeals shall serve a term of five years.
41 Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the commission shall be
42 filled within sixty days of its occurrence in the same manner as the
43 member whose vacancy is being filled was appointed. A person appointed
44 to fill a vacancy occurring other than by expiration of a term of office
45 shall be appointed to the unexpired term of the member he or she
46 replaces.
47 (c) Four members of the commission shall constitute a quorum, and the
48 commission shall have power to act by majority vote of the total number
49 of members of the commission without vacancy.
50 (d) The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for
51 their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
52 incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to this act.
53 (e) Members of the commission may be removed by the chief judge of the
54 court of appeals for substantial neglect of duty, gross misconduct in
55 office, inability to discharge the powers and duties of office or
A. 4617 5
1 violation of the provisions of this act, after written notice and oppor-
2 tunity to be heard by the court of appeals.
3 § 4. Executive director and staff. (a) The commission shall appoint
4 and employ an executive director who shall serve a term of six years.
5 Any vacancy in the office of executive director shall be filled within
6 ten days of its occurrence. A person appointed to fill a vacancy in the
7 office of executive director occurring other than by expiration of a
8 term of office shall be appointed to the unexpired term of the executive
9 director he or she replaces.
10 (b) The executive director shall act in accordance with the policies,
11 rules and regulations of the commission. He or she shall act in the name
12 of the commission pursuant to the specific powers delegated by the
13 commission to the office of executive director.
14 (c) The commission shall appoint and employ such other staff and
15 investigators as shall be necessary to carry out its powers and duties
16 pursuant to this act.
17 (d) The executive director, staff members and investigators may be
18 removed by the commission for substantial neglect of duty, gross miscon-
19 duct in office, inability to perform their duties or violation of the
20 provisions of this act, after written notice and opportunity to be
21 heard.
22 § 5. Powers and duties. The commission shall have the power and duty
23 to:
24 (a) fix the compensation of the executive director, staff members and
25 investigators;
26 (b) request and receive, and shall utilize and be provided with such
27 facilities, resources and data of any court, department, division,
28 board, bureau, commission or agency of the state or any political subdi-
29 vision thereof, or of any public authority or public benefit corpo-
30 ration, as it may reasonably request to properly carry out its powers
31 and duties pursuant to this act;
32 (c) adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations to govern the
33 procedures of the commission and to implement the provisions of this
34 act;
35 (d) adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations to assist appoint-
36 ing authorities in determining which persons hold policy-making posi-
37 tions for the purposes of section 73-a of the public officers law;
38 (e) make available forms for annual statements of financial disclosure
39 required to be filed pursuant to section 73-a of the public officers
40 law;
41 (f) review financial disclosure statements filed pursuant to section
42 73-a of the public officers law;
43 (g) receive and investigate complaints and referrals alleging
44 violations of section 73, 73-a or 74 of the public officers law, article
45 1-A of the legislative law, or section 107 of the civil service law;
46 (h) permit any person required to file a financial disclosure state-
47 ment pursuant to section 73-a of the public officers law to delete from
48 the copy thereof made available for public inspection such information
49 as shall be determined by the commission will have no material bearing
50 on the discharge of the reporting person's official duties;
51 (i) grant any person required to file a financial disclosure statement
52 pursuant to section 73-a of the public officers law, an additional peri-
53 od of time within which to file such statement due to justifiable cause
54 or undue hardship;
55 (j) permit any person required to file a financial disclosure state-
56 ment pursuant to section 73-a of the public officers law to delete such
A. 4617 6
1 information pertaining to such person's spouse or unemancipated children
2 as shall be found by the commission will have no material bearing on the
3 discharge of the reporting person's official duties;
4 (k) advise and assist any state agency in establishing rules and regu-
5 lations relating to possible conflicts between private interests and
6 official duties of present and former state officers and employees;
7 (l) permit any person who has not been determined by his or her
8 appointing authority to hold a policy-making position, but who is other-
9 wise required to file a financial disclosure statement, to be granted an
10 exemption from such filing requirement. The commission may grant such an
11 exemption where the public interest does not require disclosure and the
12 applicant's duties do not involve negotiation, authorization or approval
13 of:
14 (1) contracts, leases, franchises, revocable consents, concessions,
15 variances, special permits or licenses as defined in section 73 of the
16 public officers law,
17 (2) the purchase, sale, rental or lease of real property, goods or
18 services, or a contract therefor,
19 (3) the obtaining of grants of money or loans, or
20 (4) the adoption or repeal of any rule or regulation having the force
21 and effect of law;
22 (m) determine questions common to a class or defined category of
23 persons or items of information required to be disclosed, where determi-
24 nation of the question will prevent undue repetition of requests for
25 exemption or deletion, or prevent undue complication in complying with
26 the provisions of this act;
27 (n) upon written request from a person subject to the requirements of
28 section 73, 73-a or 74 of the public officers law, render an advisory
29 opinion on the requirements of such provisions;
30 (o) promulgate rules concerning restrictions on outside activities and
31 limitations or the receipt of gifts and honoraria;
32 (p) conduct training programs, in cooperation with the governor's
33 office of employee relations, to provide instruction to persons subject
34 to its jurisdiction;
35 (q) administer and enforce all provisions of this act;
36 (r) conduct any investigation necessary to carry out the provisions of
37 this act;
38 (s) receive and investigate complaints from any source, or upon its
39 own initiative, concerning allegations of corruption, fraud, criminal
40 activity, conflicts of interest or abuse in any covered agency or by any
41 covered individual;
42 (t) inform the heads of covered agencies of such allegations and the
43 progress of investigations related thereto, unless special circumstances
44 require confidentiality;
45 (u) determine with respect to such allegations whether disciplinary
46 action, civil or criminal prosecution, or further investigation by an
47 appropriate federal, state or local agency is warranted, and to assist
48 in such investigations;
49 (v) prepare and release to the public written reports of such investi-
50 gations, as appropriate and to the extent permitted by law, subject to
51 redaction to protect the confidentiality of witnesses. The release of
52 all or portions of such reports may be deferred to protect the confiden-
53 tiality of ongoing investigations;
54 (w) review and examine periodically the policies and procedures of
55 covered agencies with regard to the prevention and detection of
56 corruption, fraud, criminal activity, conflicts of interest or abuse;
A. 4617 7
1 (x) recommend remedial acts to prevent or eliminate corruption, fraud,
2 criminal activity, conflicts of interest or abuse in covered agencies;
3 (y) establish programs for training state officers and employees
4 regarding the prevention and elimination of corruption, fraud, criminal
5 activity, conflicts of interest or abuse in covered agencies;
6 (z) subpoena and enforce the attendance of witnesses;
7 (aa) administer oaths or affirmations and examine witnesses under
8 oath;
9 (bb) require the production of any books and papers deemed relevant or
10 material to any investigation, examination or review;
11 (cc) examine and copy or remove documents or records of any kind
12 prepared, maintained or held by any covered agency or covered individ-
13 ual;
14 (dd) require any officer or employee in a covered agency or any
15 covered individual to answer questions concerning any matter related to
16 the performance of his or her official duties. No statement or other
17 evidence derived therefrom may be used against such officer or employee
18 in any subsequent criminal prosecution other than for perjury or
19 contempt arising from such testimony. The refusal of any officer or
20 employee to answer questions shall be cause for removal from office or
21 employment, or other appropriate penalty;
22 (ee) monitor the implementation by covered agencies of any recommenda-
23 tions made by the commission;
24 (ff) perform any other functions that are necessary or appropriate to
25 fulfill the provisions of this act;
26 (gg) conduct investigations in connection with:
27 (1) the faithful execution and enforcement of the laws of the state,
28 with particular reference but not limited to organized crime and racke-
29 teering,
30 (2) the conduct of public officers and public employees, and of offi-
31 cers and employees of public benefit corporations and public authori-
32 ties, and
33 (3) any matter concerning the public peace, public safety and public
34 justice;
35 (hh) at the direction of the governor, conduct investigations and
36 otherwise assist the governor in connection with:
37 (1) the removal of public officers by the governor,
38 (2) the making of recommendations by the governor to any other person
39 or body, with respect to the removal of public officers, and
40 (3) the making of recommendations by the governor to the legislature
41 with respect to changes in or additions to existing provisions of law
42 required for the more effective enforcement of the law;
43 (ii) at the direction or request of the governor or the head of any
44 department, board, bureau, commission or other agency of the state,
45 investigate the management or affairs of any such department, board,
46 bureau, commission or other agency;
47 (jj) upon the request of district attorneys and other law enforcement
48 officers, cooperate with, advise and assist them in the performance of
49 their official powers and duties;
50 (kk) cooperate with departments and officers of the United States
51 government in the investigation of violations of the federal laws within
52 this state;
53 (ll) examine into matters relating to law enforcement extending across
54 the boundaries of the state into other states, and may consult and
55 exchange information with officers and agencies of other states with
A. 4617 8
1 respect to law enforcement problems of mutual concern to this and other
2 states;
3 (mm) whenever it shall appear to the commission that there is cause
4 for the prosecution of a crime or for the removal of a public officer
5 for misconduct, refer the evidence of such crime or misconduct to the
6 officials authorized to conduct the prosecution or to remove the public
7 officer;
8 (nn) keep the public informed as to the operations of organized crime
9 and problems of law enforcement in the state; and
10 (oo) exercise any and all powers of the former commission on public
11 integrity and the former office of the state inspector general as they
12 existed immediately prior to the effective date of this act, and exer-
13 cise any and all powers of the former temporary state commission of
14 investigation as they existed on March 30, 2011.
15 § 6. Financial disclosure. (a) The commission shall inspect all finan-
16 cial disclosure statements filed with the commission to ascertain wheth-
17 er any person subject to the reporting requirements of section 73-a of
18 the public officers law has failed to file such a statement, has filed a
19 deficient statement or has filed a statement which reveals a possible
20 violation of section 73, 73-a or 74 of the public officers law.
21 (b) If a person required to file a financial disclosure statement with
22 the commission has failed to file a disclosure statement or has filed a
23 deficient statement, the commission shall notify the reporting person in
24 writing, state the failure to file or detail the deficiency, provide the
25 person with a fifteen day period to cure the deficiency, and advise the
26 person of the penalties for failure to comply with the reporting
27 requirements. Such notice shall be confidential. If the person fails to
28 make such filing or fails to cure the deficiency within the specified
29 time period, the commission shall send a notice of delinquency: (1) to
30 the reporting person; (2) in the case of a statewide elected official,
31 to the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assem-
32 bly; and (3) in the case of a state officer or employee, to the appoint-
33 ing authority for such person. Such notice of delinquency may be sent at
34 any time during the reporting person's service as a statewide elected
35 official, state officer or employee, political party chair or while a
36 candidate for statewide office, or within one year after termination of
37 such service or candidacy. The jurisdiction of the commission, when
38 acting pursuant to subdivision (d) of this section with respect to
39 financial disclosure, shall continue notwithstanding that the reporting
40 person separates from state service, or ceases to hold office as a
41 statewide elected official or political party chair, or ceases to be a
42 candidate, provided the commission notifies such person of the alleged
43 failure to file or deficient filing pursuant to this subdivision.
44 (c)(1) If the commission receives a sworn complaint alleging a
45 violation of section 73, 73-a or 74 of the public officers law, section
46 107 of the civil service law or article 1-A of the legislative law by a
47 person or entity subject to the jurisdiction of the commission, or if a
48 reporting individual has filed a statement which reveals a possible
49 violation of these provisions, or if the commission determines on its
50 own initiative to investigate a possible violation, the commission shall
51 notify the individual in writing, describe the possible or alleged
52 violation of such laws and provide the person with a fifteen day period
53 in which to submit a written response setting forth information relating
54 to the activities cited as a possible or alleged violation of law. If
55 the commission thereafter makes a determination that further inquiry is
56 justified, it shall give the individual an opportunity to be heard. The
A. 4617 9
1 commission shall also inform the individual of its rules regarding the
2 conduct of adjudicatory proceedings and appeals and the due process
3 procedural mechanisms available to such individual. If the commission
4 determines at any stage of the proceeding that there is no violation or
5 that any potential conflict of interest violation has been rectified, it
6 shall so advise the individual and the complainant, if any. All of the
7 foregoing proceedings shall be confidential.
8 (2) If the commission determines that there is reasonable cause to
9 believe that a violation has occurred, it shall send a notice of reason-
10 able cause: (i) to the reporting person; (ii) to the complainant if any;
11 (iii) in the case of a statewide elected official, to the temporary
12 president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly; and (iv) in the
13 case of a state officer or employee, to the appointing authority for
14 such person.
15 (3) The jurisdiction of the commission when acting pursuant to this
16 act shall continue notwithstanding that a statewide elected official or
17 a state officer or employee separates from state service, or a political
18 party chair ceases to hold such office, or a candidate ceases to be a
19 candidate, or a lobbyist or client of a lobbyist ceases to act as such,
20 provided that the commission notifies such individual or entity of the
21 alleged violation of law pursuant to paragraph one of this subdivision
22 within one year from his or her separation from state service or his or
23 her termination of party service or candidacy, or from his, her or its
24 last report filed pursuant to article 1-A of the legislative law. Noth-
25 ing in this section shall serve to limit the jurisdiction of the commis-
26 sion in enforcement of subdivision 8 of section 73 of the public offi-
27 cers law.
28 (d) An individual subject to the jurisdiction of the commission who
29 knowingly and intentionally violates the provisions of subdivisions 2
30 through 5, 7, 8, 12 or 14 through 17 of section 73 of the public offi-
31 cers law, section 107 of the civil service law, or a reporting individ-
32 ual who knowingly and wilfully fails to file an annual statement of
33 financial disclosure or who knowingly and wilfully with intent to
34 deceive makes a false statement or fraudulent omission or gives informa-
35 tion which such individual knows to be false on such statement of finan-
36 cial disclosure filed pursuant to section 73-a of the public officers
37 law shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed
38 $40,000 and the value of any gift, compensation or benefit received as a
39 result of such violation. An individual who knowingly and intentionally
40 violates the provisions of paragraphs b, c, d or i of subdivision 3 of
41 section 74 of the public officers law shall be subject to a civil penal-
42 ty in an amount not to exceed $10,000 and the value of any gift, compen-
43 sation or benefit received as a result of such violation. An individual
44 who knowingly and intentionally violates the provisions of paragraphs a,
45 e or g of subdivision 3 of section 74 of the public officers law shall
46 be subject to a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed the value of
47 any gift, compensation or benefit received as a result of such
48 violation. An individual subject to the jurisdiction of the commission
49 who knowingly and wilfully violates article 1-A of the legislative law
50 shall be subject to civil penalty as provided for in that article.
51 Assessment of a civil penalty pursuant to this section shall be made by
52 the commission with respect to persons subject to its jurisdiction. In
53 assessing the amount of the civil penalties to be imposed, the commis-
54 sion shall consider the seriousness of the violation, the amount of gain
55 to the individual and whether the individual previously had any civil or
56 criminal penalties imposed pursuant to this section, and any other
A. 4617 10
1 factors the commission deems appropriate. For a violation of this subdi-
2 vision, other than for conduct which constitutes a violation of section
3 107 of the civil service law, subdivisions 12 or 14 through 17 of
4 section 73 or section 74 of the public officers law or article 1-A of
5 the legislative law, the commission may, in lieu of a civil penalty,
6 refer a violation to the appropriate prosecutor and upon such
7 conviction, such violation shall be punishable as a class A misdemeanor.
8 A civil penalty for false filing may not be imposed pursuant to this
9 section in the event a category of "value" or "amount" reported pursuant
10 to this section is incorrect unless such reported information is falsely
11 understated. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary,
12 no other penalty, civil or criminal may be imposed for a failure to
13 file, or for a false filing, of such statement, or a violation of
14 section 73 of the public officers law, except that the appointing
15 authority may impose disciplinary action as otherwise provided by law.
16 The commission may refer violations of this section to the appointing
17 authority for disciplinary action as otherwise provided by law. The
18 commission shall be deemed to be an agency within the meaning of article
19 3 of the state administrative procedure act and shall adopt rules
20 governing the conduct of adjudicatory proceedings and appeals taken
21 pursuant to a proceeding commenced under article 78 of the civil prac-
22 tice law and rules relating to the assessment of the civil penalties
23 authorized by this subdivision and commission denials of requests for
24 certain deletions or exemptions to be made from a financial disclosure
25 statement as authorized by this act. Such rules, which shall not be
26 subject to the approval requirements of the state administrative proce-
27 dure act, shall provide for due process procedural mechanisms substan-
28 tially similar to those set forth in article 3 of the state administra-
29 tive procedure act but such mechanisms need not be identical in terms or
30 scope. Assessment of a civil penalty or commission denial of such a
31 request shall be final unless modified, suspended or vacated within
32 thirty days of imposition, with respect to the assessment of such penal-
33 ty, or unless such denial of request is reversed within such time peri-
34 od, and upon becoming final shall be subject to review at the instance
35 of the affected reporting individuals in a proceeding commenced against
36 the commission, pursuant to article 78 of the civil practice law and
37 rules.
38 (e) If the commission has a reasonable basis to believe that any
39 person subject to the jurisdiction of the legislative ethics commission
40 may have violated any provisions of section 73 or 74 of the public offi-
41 cers law, it may refer such violation to the legislative ethics commis-
42 sion. The referral by the commission to the legislative ethics commis-
43 sion shall include any information relating thereto coming into the
44 custody or under the control of the commission at any time prior or
45 subsequent to the time of the referral.
46 (f) A copy of any notice of delinquency or notice of reasonable cause
47 sent pursuant to subdivisions (b) and (c) of this section shall be
48 included in the reporting person's file and be available for public
49 inspection and copying.
50 § 7. Website. Within one hundred twenty days of the effective date of
51 this section, the commission shall create and thereafter maintain a
52 publicly accessible website which shall set forth the procedure for
53 filing a complaint with the commission, and which shall contain the
54 documents identified in section eight of this act, other than financial
55 disclosure statements, and any other records or information which the
56 commission determines to be appropriate.
A. 4617 11
1 § 8. Public access to records. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of
2 article 6 of the public officers law, the only records of the commission
3 which shall be available for public inspection and copying are:
4 (1) the information set forth in an annual statement of financial
5 disclosure filed pursuant to section 73-a of the public officers law
6 except the categories of value or amount, which shall remain confiden-
7 tial, and any other item of information deleted pursuant to this act;
8 (2) notices of delinquency sent under subdivision (b) of section six
9 of this act;
10 (3) notices of reasonable cause sent under paragraph two of subdivi-
11 sion (c) of section six of this act;
12 (4) notices of civil assessments imposed under this act which shall
13 include a description of the nature of the alleged wrongdoing, the
14 procedural history of the complaint, the findings and determinations
15 made by the commission, and any sanction imposed;
16 (5) the terms of any settlement or compromise of a complaint or refer-
17 ral which includes a fine, penalty or other remedy; and
18 (6) those required to be held or maintained publicly available pursu-
19 ant to article 1-A of the legislative law.
20 (b) Pending any application for deletion or exemption to the commis-
21 sion, all information which is the subject or a part of the application
22 shall remain confidential. Upon an adverse determination by the commis-
23 sion, the reporting individual may request, and upon such request the
24 commission shall provide, that any information which is the subject or
25 part of the application remain confidential for a period of thirty days
26 following notice of such determination. In the event that the reporting
27 individual resigns his or her office and holds no other office subject
28 to the jurisdiction of the commission, the information shall not be made
29 public and shall be expunged in its entirety.
30 § 9. Responsibilities of covered agencies, covered individuals, state
31 officers and employees. (a) Every state officer or employee in a
32 covered agency and every covered individual shall report promptly to the
33 commission any information concerning corruption, fraud, criminal activ-
34 ity, conflicts of interest or abuse by another state officer or employee
35 relating to his or her office or employment, or by a person having busi-
36 ness dealings with a covered agency relating to those dealings. The
37 knowing failure of any officer or employee to so report shall be cause
38 for removal from office or employment or other appropriate penalty. Any
39 officer or employee who acts pursuant to this subdivision by reporting
40 to the commission improper governmental action as defined in section
41 75-b of the civil service law shall not be subject to dismissal, disci-
42 pline or other adverse personnel action.
43 (b) The head of any covered agency shall advise the governor within
44 ninety days of the issuance of a report by the commission as to the
45 remedial action that the agency has taken in response to any recommenda-
46 tion for such action contained in such report.
47 § 10. Confidentiality. Any person conducting or participating in any
48 examination or investigation who shall disclose to any person other than
49 the commission or an officer having the power to appoint one or more of
50 the commissioners the name of any witness examined, or any information
51 obtained or given upon such examination or investigation, except as
52 directed by the commission, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
53 § 11. Evidence to be impounded. Upon the application of the commis-
54 sion, the executive director or a duly authorized member of its staff,
55 the supreme court or a justice thereof may impound any exhibit marked in
56 evidence in any public or private hearing held in connection with an
A. 4617 12
1 investigation conducted by the commission, and may order such exhibit to
2 be retained by, or delivered to and placed in the custody of, the
3 commission. When so impounded such exhibit shall not be taken from the
4 custody of the commission, except upon further order of the court or a
5 justice thereof made upon five days' notice to the commission or upon
6 its application or with its consent.
7 § 12. Immunity from prosecution. In any investigation or hearing
8 conducted by the commission pursuant to this act, relating to any crime
9 or offense with respect to which, by express provision of statute, a
10 competent authority is authorized to confer immunity; the commission may
11 confer immunity in accordance with the provisions of section 50.20 of
12 the criminal procedure law, but only after affording the attorney gener-
13 al and the appropriate district attorney the opportunity to be heard in
14 respect to any objections which they may have to the granting of such
15 immunity.
16 § 13. Transfer of functions, powers and duties. All functions, powers,
17 duties and obligations of the former commission on public integrity and
18 the former office of the state inspector general are hereby trans-
19 ferred to the commission.
20 § 14. Transfer of employees. (a) Upon transfer of the functions of the
21 former commission on public integrity and the former office of the state
22 inspector general to the commission, provisions shall be made for the
23 transfer to the commission of those employees of such former agencies
24 who were engaged in carrying out the functions transferred by this act
25 in accordance with section 70 of the civil service law or, where not
26 subject to the civil service law, the provisions of such section 70
27 shall be deemed applicable, except where the context clearly requires
28 otherwise. Any such employee who, at the time of such transfer, has a
29 temporary or provisional appointment shall be transferred subject to the
30 same right of removal, examination or termination as though such trans-
31 fer had not been made except to the extent such rights are modified by a
32 collective bargaining agreement. Employees holding permanent appoint-
33 ments in competitive class positions who are not transferred pursuant to
34 this section shall have their names entered upon an appropriate
35 preferred list for reinstatement pursuant to the civil service law.
36 (b) A transferred employee shall remain in the same collective
37 bargaining unit as was the case prior to his or her transfer; successor
38 employees to the positions held by such transferred employees shall,
39 consistent with the provisions of article 14 of the civil service law,
40 be included in the same unit as their predecessors. Employees other than
41 management or confidential persons (as defined in article 14 of the
42 civil service law), serving positions in newly created titles shall be
43 assigned to the appropriate bargaining unit. Nothing contained in this
44 section shall be construed to affect:
45 (1) the rights of employees pursuant to a collective bargaining agree-
46 ment;
47 (2) the representational relationships among employee organizations or
48 the bargaining relationships between the state and an employee organiza-
49 tion; or
50 (3) existing law with respect to an application to the public employ-
51 ment relations board, provided, however, that the merger of such negoti-
52 ating units of employees shall be effected only with the consent of the
53 recognized and certified representative of such units and of the depart-
54 ment of law.
55 § 15. Transfer of records. All books, papers and property of the
56 former commission on public integrity and the former office of the state
A. 4617 13
1 inspector general are to be delivered to the commission at such place
2 and time, and in such manner as the commission shall require.
3 § 16. Continuity of authority. For the purpose of succession to all
4 functions, powers, duties and obligations of the former commission on
5 public integrity and the former office of the state inspector general
6 transferred to and assumed by the commission, such commission shall
7 continue the operation thereof as if performed by such former agencies.
8 § 17. Completion of unfinished business. Any business or other matter
9 undertaken or commenced by the former commission on public integrity and
10 the former office of the state inspector general pertaining to or
11 connected with the functions, powers, duties and obligations transferred
12 and assigned to the commission and pending on the effective date of this
13 section shall be conducted and completed by the commission in the same
14 manner and under the same terms and conditions and with the same effect
15 as if conducted and completed by such former agencies.
16 § 18. Continuation of rules and regulations. All rules, regulations,
17 acts, orders, determinations and decisions of the former commission on
18 public integrity and the former office of the state inspector general in
19 force at the time of such transfer and assumption, shall continue in
20 force and effect as rules, regulations, acts, orders, determinations and
21 decisions of the commission until duly modified or abrogated.
22 § 19. Terms occurring in laws, contracts and other documents. Whenever
23 the former commission on public integrity or the former office of the
24 state inspector general is referred to or designated in any law,
25 contract or document pertaining to the functions, powers, obligations
26 and duties transferred and assigned pursuant to this act, such reference
27 or designation shall be deemed to refer to the commission.
28 § 20. Existing rights and remedies preserved. No existing right or
29 remedy of any character shall be lost, impaired or affected by reason of
30 any transfer or assignment pursuant to this act.
31 § 21. Pending actions or proceedings. No action or proceeding pending
32 upon the effective date of this section relating to the functions,
33 powers and duties of the former commission on public integrity and the
34 former office of the state inspector general transferred to the commis-
35 sion, brought by or against any such former agency, shall be affected by
36 any provision of this act, but the same may be prosecuted or defended in
37 the name of the commission. In all such actions and proceedings, the
38 commission, upon application to the court, shall be substituted as a
39 party.
40 § 22. Transfer of appropriations heretofore made. Subject to the
41 approval of the director of the division of the budget, all appropri-
42 ations and reappropriations heretofore made to the former commission on
43 public integrity and the former office of the state inspector general
44 for the purposes and functions transferred pursuant to this act to the
45 commission, to the extent of remaining unexpended or unencumbered
46 balance thereof, whether allocated or unallocated, and whether obligated
47 or unobligated, are hereby transferred to and made available for use and
48 expenditure by the commission for the same purposes for which originally
49 appropriated or reappropriated and shall be payable on vouchers certi-
50 fied or approved by the executive director on audit and warrant of the
51 comptroller. Payments for liabilities for expenses of personal services,
52 maintenance and operation heretofore incurred by and for liabilities
53 incurred and to be incurred in completing the affairs of the former
54 commission on public integrity and the former office of the state
55 inspector general with respect to the powers, duties and functions
56 transferred in this act, shall also be made on vouchers or certificates
A. 4617 14
1 approved by the executive director on audit and warrant of the comp-
2 troller.
3 § 23. Transfer of assets and liabilities. All assets and liabilities
4 of the former commission on public integrity and the former office of
5 the state inspector general are hereby transferred to and assumed by the
6 commission.
7 § 24. Actions of the commission. The commission is hereby directed to
8 immediately take any and all actions necessary to enable it to assume
9 all powers, duties and functions of the former commission on public
10 integrity, the former office of the state inspector general and the
11 former temporary state commission of investigation within ninety days of
12 the effective date of this act.
13 § 25. Subdivision 5 of section 107 of the civil service law, as
14 amended by chapter 14 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as
15 follows:
16 5. Violation of this section. Complaints alleging a violation of this
17 section by a statewide elected official or a state officer or employee,
18 as defined in section seventy-three of the public officers law, may be
19 directed to the commission on [public integrity] official conduct.
20 § 26. Section 94 of the executive law is REPEALED.
21 § 27. Subdivision (f) of section 1-c of the legislative law, as
22 amended by chapter 14 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as
23 follows:
24 (f) The term "commission" shall mean the commission on [public integ-
25 rity created by section ninety-four of the executive law] official
26 conduct.
27 § 28. Subdivision 3 of section 212 of the racing, pari-mutuel wagering
28 and breeding law, as amended by chapter 18 of the laws of 2008, is
29 amended to read as follows:
30 3. Such members, except as otherwise provided by law, may engage in
31 private or public employment, or in a profession or business. The board,
32 its members, officers and employees shall be subject to the provisions
33 of sections seventy-three and seventy-four of the public officers law.
34 No former trustee or officer of a non-profit racing association known as
35 The New York Racing Association, Inc. or its predecessor, no current
36 director or officer of a franchised corporation or any individual regis-
37 tered with the [New York] commission on [public integrity] official
38 conduct shall be appointed as members to the board nor shall any member
39 of the board have any direct or indirect interest in any racehorse,
40 thoroughbred racing or pari-mutuel wagering business, video lottery
41 terminal facility or any development at any racing facility.
42 § 29. Article 4-A of the executive law is REPEALED.
43 § 30. Subdivision 3 of section 63 of the executive law, as amended by
44 chapter 155 of the laws of 2012, is amended to read as follows:
45 3. Upon request of the governor, comptroller, secretary of state,
46 commissioner of transportation, superintendent of financial services,
47 commissioner of taxation and finance, commissioner of motor vehicles, or
48 the [state inspector general] commission on official conduct, or the
49 head of any other department, authority, division or agency of the
50 state, investigate the alleged commission of any indictable offense or
51 offenses in violation of the law which the officer making the request is
52 especially required to execute or in relation to any matters connected
53 with such department, and to prosecute the person or persons believed to
54 have committed the same and any crime or offense arising out of such
55 investigation or prosecution or both, including but not limited to
56 appearing before and presenting all such matters to a grand jury.
A. 4617 15
1 § 31. Section 2350-dd of the public authorities law, as added by chap-
2 ter 762 of the laws of 2005, is amended to read as follows:
3 § 2350-dd. Jurisdiction of [state inspector general] commission on
4 official conduct. The agency is subject to the jurisdiction of the
5 [office of the state inspector general] commission on official conduct.
6 § 32. Subdivision 3 of section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law, as
7 added by chapter 843 of the laws of 1980, is amended to read as follows:
8 3. [Investigators] The executive director and investigators of the
9 [office of the state] commission [of investigation] on official conduct.
10 § 33. Subdivision 68 of section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law, as
11 added by chapter 168 of the laws of 2000, is REPEALED.
12 § 34. Subdivision 3 of section 70-a of the executive law, as added by
13 chapter 1003 of the laws of 1970, is amended to read as follows:
14 3. The deputy attorney general in charge of the organized crime task
15 force may request and shall receive from the division of state police,
16 the state department of taxation and finance, the state department of
17 labor, the [temporary state] commission [of investigation] on official
18 conduct, and from every department, division, board, bureau, commission
19 or other agency of the state, or of any political subdivision thereof,
20 cooperation and assistance in the performance of his duties. Such deputy
21 attorney general may provide technical and other assistance to any
22 district attorney or other local law enforcement official requesting
23 such assistance in the investigation or prosecution of organized crime
24 cases.
25 § 35. Subdivision 9 of section 835 of the executive law, as separately
26 amended by chapters 14 and 155 of the laws of 2012, is amended to read
27 as follows:
28 9. "Qualified agencies" means courts in the unified court system, the
29 administrative board of the judicial conference, probation departments,
30 sheriffs' offices, district attorneys' offices, the state department of
31 corrections and community supervision, the department of correction of
32 any municipality, the financial frauds and consumer protection unit of
33 the state department of financial services, the office of professional
34 medical conduct of the state department of health for the purposes of
35 section two hundred thirty of the public health law, the child protec-
36 tive services unit of a local social services district when conducting
37 an investigation pursuant to subdivision six of section four hundred
38 twenty-four of the social services law, the office of Medicaid inspector
39 general, the [temporary state] commission [of investigation] on official
40 conduct, police forces and departments having responsibility for
41 enforcement of the general criminal laws of the state, the Onondaga
42 County Center for Forensic Sciences Laboratory when acting within the
43 scope of its law enforcement duties and the division of forensic
44 services of the Nassau county medical examiner's office when acting
45 within the scope of its law enforcement duties.
46 § 36. Subdivision 8 of section 92 of the public officers law, as
47 amended by section 135 of subpart B of part C of chapter 62 of the laws
48 of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
49 (8) Public safety agency record. The term "public safety agency
50 record" means a record of the state commission of correction, the
51 [temporary state] commission [of investigation] on official conduct, the
52 department of corrections and community supervision, the office of chil-
53 dren and family services, the office of victim services, the office of
54 probation and correctional alternatives or the division of state police
55 or of any agency or component thereof whose primary function is the
56 enforcement of civil or criminal statutes if such record pertains to
A. 4617 16
1 investigation, law enforcement, confinement of persons in correctional
2 facilities or supervision of persons pursuant to criminal conviction or
3 court order, and any records maintained by the division of criminal
4 justice services pursuant to sections eight hundred thirty-seven, eight
5 hundred thirty-seven-a, eight hundred thirty-seven-b, eight hundred
6 thirty-seven-c, eight hundred thirty-eight, eight hundred thirty-nine,
7 and eight hundred forty-five of the executive law and by the department
8 of state pursuant to section ninety-nine of the executive law.
9 § 37. Chapter 989 of the laws of 1958, creating a temporary state
10 commission of investigation, is REPEALED.
11 § 38. Paragraph (b) of subdivision 9 of section 80 of the legislative
12 law, as added by section 9 of part A of chapter 399 of the laws of 2011,
13 is amended to read as follows:
14 (b) Not later than forty-five calendar days after receipt from the
15 [joint] commission on [public ethics] official conduct of a written
16 substantial basis investigation report and any supporting documentation
17 or other materials regarding a matter before the commission [pursuant to
18 subdivision fourteen-a of section ninety-four of the executive law],
19 unless requested by a law enforcement agency to suspend the commission's
20 action because of an ongoing criminal investigation, the legislative
21 ethics commission shall make public such report in its entirety;
22 provided, however, that the commission may withhold such information for
23 not more than one additional period of the same duration or refer the
24 matter back to the [joint] commission on [public ethics] official
25 conduct once for additional investigation, in which case the legislative
26 ethics commission shall, upon the termination of such additional period
27 or upon receipt of a new report by the [joint] commission on [public
28 ethics] official conduct after such additional investigation, make
29 public the written report and publish it on the commission's website. If
30 the legislative ethics commission fails to make public the written
31 report received from the [joint] commission in accordance with this
32 paragraph, the [joint] commission shall release such report publicly
33 promptly and in any event no later than ten days after the legislative
34 ethics commission is required to release such report. The legislative
35 ethics commission shall not refer the matter back to the [joint] commis-
36 sion on [public ethics] official conduct for additional investigation
37 more than once. If the commission refers the matter back to the [joint]
38 commission for additional fact-finding, the [joint] commission's
39 original report shall remain confidential.
40 § 39. Subparagraph 1 of paragraph a of subdivision 12 of section 80 of
41 the legislative law, as amended by section 9 of part A of chapter 399 of
42 the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
43 (1) the terms of any settlement or compromise of a complaint or refer-
44 ral or report which includes a fine, penalty or other remedy reached
45 after the commission has received a report from the [joint] commission
46 on [public ethics pursuant to subdivision fourteen-a of section ninety-
47 four of the executive law] official conduct;
48 § 40. Subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (c) and paragraph
49 (d-1) of subdivision 1 of section 73-a of the public officers law,
50 subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (c) as amended and paragraph
51 (d-1) as added by section 5 of part A of chapter 399 of the laws of
52 2011, are amended to read as follows:
53 (ii) officers and employees of statewide elected officials, officers
54 and employees of state departments, boards, bureaus, divisions, commis-
55 sions, councils or other state agencies, who receive annual compensation
56 in excess of the filing rate established by paragraph (l) of this subdi-
A. 4617 17
1 vision or who hold policy-making positions, as annually determined by
2 the appointing authority and set forth in a written instrument which
3 shall be filed with the [joint] commission on [public ethics established
4 by section ninety-four of the executive law] official conduct during the
5 month of February, provided, however, that the appointing authority
6 shall amend such written instrument after such date within thirty days
7 after the undertaking of policy-making responsibilities by a new employ-
8 ee or any other employee whose name did not appear on the most recent
9 written instrument; and
10 (iii) members or directors of public authorities, other than multi-
11 state authorities, public benefit corporations and commissions at least
12 one of whose members is appointed by the governor, and employees of such
13 authorities, corporations and commissions who receive annual compen-
14 sation in excess of the filing rate established by paragraph (l) of this
15 subdivision or who hold policy-making positions, as determined annually
16 by the appointing authority and set forth in a written instrument which
17 shall be filed with the [joint] commission on [public ethics established
18 by section ninety-four of the executive law] official conduct during the
19 month of February, provided, however, that the appointing authority
20 shall amend such written instrument after such date within thirty days
21 after the undertaking of policy-making responsibilities by a new employ-
22 ee or any other employee whose name did not appear on the most recent
23 written instrument.
24 (d-1) A financial disclosure statement required pursuant to section
25 seventy-three of this article and this section shall be deemed "filed"
26 with the [joint] commission on [public ethics] official conduct upon its
27 filing, in accordance with this section, with the legislative ethics
28 commission for all purposes including, but not limited to, [subdivision
29 fourteen of section ninety-four of the executive law,] subdivision nine
30 of section eighty of the legislative law and subdivision four of this
31 section.
32 § 41. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (a) and paragraph (c) of subdivi-
33 sion 2 of section 73-a of the public officers law, as amended by section
34 5 of part A of chapter 399 of the laws of 2011, are amended to read as
35 follows:
36 (ii) a person who is required to file an annual financial disclosure
37 statement with the [joint] commission on [public ethics] official
38 conduct, and who is granted an additional period of time within which to
39 file such statement due to justifiable cause or undue hardship[, in
40 accordance with required rules and regulations on the subject adopted
41 pursuant to paragraph c of subdivision nine of section ninety-four of
42 the executive law] shall file such statement within the additional peri-
43 od of time granted; and the legislative ethics commission shall notify
44 the [joint] commission on [public ethics] official conduct of any exten-
45 sion granted pursuant to this paragraph;
46 (c) If the reporting individual is a senator or member of assembly,
47 candidate for the senate or member of assembly or a legislative employ-
48 ee, such statement shall be filed with both the legislative ethics
49 commission established by section eighty of the legislative law and the
50 [joint] commission on [public ethics] official conduct in accordance
51 with paragraph (d-1) of subdivision one of this section. If the report-
52 ing individual is a statewide elected official, candidate for statewide
53 elected office, a state officer or employee or a political party chair-
54 man, such statement shall be filed with the [joint] commission on
55 [public ethics established by section ninety-four of the executive law]
56 official conduct.
A. 4617 18
1 § 42. Paragraph 8 of subdivision 3 and subdivision 4 of section 73-a
2 of the public officers law, paragraph 8 of subdivision 3 as amended by
3 section 37 of subpart A of part H of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014 and
4 subdivision 4 as amended by section 5 of part A of chapter 399 of the
5 laws of 2011, are amended to read as follows:
6 8. (a) If the reporting individual practices law, is licensed by the
7 department of state as a real estate broker or agent or practices a
8 profession licensed by the department of education, or works as a
9 member or employee of a firm required to register pursuant to
10 section one-e of the legislative law as a lobbyist, give a general
11 description of the principal subject areas of matters undertaken by
12 such individual. Additionally, if such an individual practices with
13 a firm or corporation and is a partner or shareholder of the firm or
14 corporation, give a general description of principal subject areas
15 of matters undertaken by such firm or corporation.
16 ____________________________________________________________________
17 ____________________________________________________________________
18 ____________________________________________________________________
19 ____________________________________________________________________
20 ____________________________________________________________________
21 (b) APPLICABLE ONLY TO NEW CLIENTS OR CUSTOMERS FOR WHOM SERVICES ARE
22 PROVIDED ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWELVE, OR FOR NEW MATTERS
23 FOR EXISTING CLIENTS OR CUSTOMERS WITH RESPECT TO THOSE SERVICES THAT
24 ARE PROVIDED ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWELVE:
25 If the reporting individual personally provides services to any person
26 or entity, or works as a member or employee of a partnership or corpo-
27 ration that provides such services (referred to hereinafter as a
28 "firm"), then identify each client or customer to whom the reporting
29 individual personally provided services, or who was referred to the firm
30 by the reporting individual, and from whom the reporting individual or
31 his or her firm earned fees in excess of $10,000 during the reporting
32 period for such services rendered in direct connection with:
33 (i) A proposed bill or resolution in the senate or assembly during the
34 reporting period;
35 (ii) A contract in an amount totaling $50,000 or more from the state
36 or any state agency for services, materials, or property;
37 (iii) A grant of $25,000 or more from the state or any state agency
38 during the reporting period;
39 (iv) A grant obtained through a legislative initiative during the
40 reporting period; or
41 (v) A case, proceeding, application or other matter that is not a
42 ministerial matter before a state agency during the reporting period.
43 For purposes of this question, "referred to the firm" shall mean:
44 having intentionally and knowingly taken a specific act or series of
45 acts to intentionally procure for the reporting individual's firm or
46 knowingly solicit or direct to the reporting individual's firm in whole
47 or substantial part, a person or entity that becomes a client of that
48 firm for the purposes of representation for a matter as defined in
49 subparagraphs (i) through (v) of this paragraph, as the result of such
50 procurement, solicitation or direction of the reporting individual. A
51 reporting individual need not disclose activities performed while
52 lawfully acting pursuant to paragraphs (c), (d), (e) and (f) of subdivi-
53 sion seven of section seventy-three of this article.
A. 4617 19
1 The disclosure requirement in this question shall not require disclo-
2 sure of clients or customers receiving medical or dental services,
3 mental health services, residential real estate brokering services, or
4 insurance brokering services from the reporting individual or his or her
5 firm. The reporting individual need not identify any client to whom he
6 or she or his or her firm provided legal representation with respect to
7 investigation or prosecution by law enforcement authorities, bankruptcy,
8 or domestic relations matters. With respect to clients represented in
9 other matters, where disclosure of a client's identity is likely to
10 cause harm, the reporting individual shall request an exemption from the
11 [joint] commission [pursuant to paragraph (i) of subdivision nine of
12 section ninety-four of the executive law] on official misconduct. Only a
13 reporting individual who first enters public office after July first,
14 two thousand twelve, need not report clients or customers with respect
15 to matters for which the reporting individual or his or her firm was
16 retained prior to entering public office.
17 Client Nature of Services Provided
18 ________________________________________________________________________
19 ________________________________________________________________________
20 ________________________________________________________________________
21 ________________________________________________________________________
22 ________________________________________________________________________
23 (c) APPLICABLE ONLY TO NEW CLIENTS OR CUSTOMERS FOR WHOM SERVICES ARE
24 PROVIDED ON OR AFTER JANUARY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, OR FOR NEW
25 MATTERS FOR EXISTING CLIENTS OR CUSTOMERS WITH RESPECT TO THOSE SERVICES
26 THAT ARE PROVIDED ON OR AFTER JANUARY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN:
27 If the reporting individual receives income of fifty thousand dollars
28 or greater from any employment or activity reportable under question
29 8(a), identify each registered lobbyist who has directly referred to
30 such individual a client who was successfully referred to the reporting
31 individual's business and from whom the reporting individual or firm
32 received a fee for services in excess of ten thousand dollars. Report
33 only these referrals that were made to a reporting individual by direct
34 communication from a person known to such reporting individual to be a
35 registered lobbyist at the time the referral is made. With respect to
36 each such referral, the reporting individual shall identify the regis-
37 tered lobbyist who has made the referral, the category of value of the
38 compensation received and a general description of the type of matter so
39 referred. A reporting individual need not disclose activities performed
40 while lawfully acting pursuant to paragraphs (c), (d), (e) and (f) of
41 subdivision seven of section seventy-three of this article. The disclo-
42 sure requirements in this question shall not require disclosure of
43 clients or customers receiving medical or dental services, mental health
44 services, residential real estate brokering services, or insurance
45 brokering services from the reporting individual or his or her firm. The
46 reporting individual need not identify any client to whom he or she or
47 his or her firm provided legal representation with respect to investi-
48 gation or prosecution by law enforcement authorities, bankruptcy, or
49 domestic relations matters. With respect to clients represented in other
50 matters, the reporting individual shall request an exemption from the
51 joint commission, which shall be granted for good cause shown. For the
52 purposes of this question, good cause may be shown by circumstances
53 including, but not limited to, where disclosure of a client's identity
54 would reveal trade secrets or have a negative impact on the client's
55 business interests, would cause embarrassment for the client, could
A. 4617 20
1 reasonably result in retaliation against the client, or would tend to
2 reveal non-public matters regarding a criminal investigation. Only a
3 reporting individual who first enters public office after January first,
4 two thousand fifteen, need not report clients or customers with respect
5 to matters for which the reporting individual or his or her firm was
6 retained prior to entering public office.
7 Client Name of Lobbyist Category of Amount (in Table 1)
8 ________________________________________________________________________
9 ________________________________________________________________________
10 ________________________________________________________________________
11 ________________________________________________________________________
12 ________________________________________________________________________
13 (d) List the name, principal address and general description or the
14 nature of the business activity of any entity in which the reporting
15 individual or such individual's spouse had an investment in excess of
16 $1,000 excluding investments in securities and interests in real proper-
17 ty.
18 ____________________________________________________________________
19 ____________________________________________________________________
20 ____________________________________________________________________
21 ____________________________________________________________________
22 ____________________________________________________________________
23 4. A reporting individual who knowingly and wilfully fails to file an
24 annual statement of financial disclosure or who knowingly and wilfully
25 with intent to deceive makes a false statement or gives information
26 which such individual knows to be false on such statement of financial
27 disclosure filed pursuant to this section shall be subject to a civil
28 penalty in an amount not to exceed forty thousand dollars. Assessment of
29 a civil penalty hereunder shall be made by the [joint] commission on
30 [public ethics] official conduct or by the legislative ethics commis-
31 sion, as the case may be, with respect to persons subject to their
32 respective jurisdictions. The [joint] commission on [public ethics
33 acting pursuant to subdivision fourteen of section ninety-four of the
34 executive law] official conduct or the legislative ethics commission
35 acting pursuant to subdivision eleven of section eighty of the legisla-
36 tive law, as the case may be, may, in lieu of or in addition to a civil
37 penalty, refer a violation to the appropriate prosecutor and upon such
38 conviction, but only after such referral, such violation shall be
39 punishable as a class A misdemeanor. A civil penalty for false filing
40 may not be imposed hereunder in the event a category of "value" or
41 "amount" reported hereunder is incorrect unless such reported informa-
42 tion is falsely understated. Notwithstanding any other provision of law
43 to the contrary, no other penalty, civil or criminal may be imposed for
44 a failure to file, or for a false filing, of such statement, except that
45 the appointing authority may impose disciplinary action as otherwise
46 provided by law. The [joint] commission on [public ethics] official
47 conduct and the legislative ethics commission shall each be deemed to be
48 an agency within the meaning of article three of the state administra-
49 tive procedure act and shall adopt rules governing the conduct of adju-
50 dicatory proceedings and appeals relating to the assessment of the civil
51 penalties herein authorized. Such rules, which shall not be subject to
52 the approval requirements of the state administrative procedure act,
53 shall provide for due process procedural mechanisms substantially simi-
A. 4617 21
1 lar to those set forth in such article three but such mechanisms need
2 not be identical in terms or scope. Assessment of a civil penalty shall
3 be final unless modified, suspended or vacated within thirty days of
4 imposition and upon becoming final shall be subject to review at the
5 instance of the affected reporting individual in a proceeding commenced
6 against the [joint] commission on [public ethics] official conduct or
7 the legislative ethics commission, pursuant to article seventy-eight of
8 the civil practice law and rules.
9 § 43. The opening paragraph of section 1-d of the legislative law, as
10 amended by chapter 14 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as
11 follows:
12 In addition to any other powers and duties [provided by section nine-
13 ty-four of the executive law,] the commission shall, with respect to its
14 lobbying-related functions only, have the power and duty to:
15 § 44. Subdivision 3 of section 2986 of the public authorities law, as
16 added by chapter 506 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows:
17 3. Any communications between an employee and the authorities budget
18 office pursuant to this section shall be held strictly confidential by
19 the authorities budget office, unless the employee specifically waives
20 in writing the right to confidentiality, except that such confidentiali-
21 ty shall not exempt the authorities budget office from disclosing such
22 information, where appropriate, to the commission on official conduct
23 [state inspector general in accordance with section fifty-five of the
24 executive law,] or prevent disclosure to any law enforcement authority.
25 § 45. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeed-
26 ing the date on which it shall have become a law; provided that sections
27 six through twenty-three and sections twenty-five through thirty-seven
28 of this act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the
29 date on which it shall have become a law; and provided further that the
30 amendments to subdivision 3 of section 212 of the racing, pari-mutuel
31 wagering and breeding law made by section twenty-eight of this act shall
32 not affect the repeal of such section and shall be deemed repealed ther-
33 ewith.
34 PART C
35 Section 1. The election law is amended by adding a new section 14-131
36 to read as follows:
37 § 14-131. Contribution funds; forfeiture after criminal conviction. 1.
38 All contributions received by an elected candidate for public office or
39 an elected official, who is charged with a felony where such felony was
40 directly related to his or her service as an elected official, or offi-
41 cer of the state or of a civil division thereof, shall be subject to
42 immediate audit and any unspent contributions shall be subject to
43 forfeiture proceedings upon conviction or resignation of such elected
44 candidate.
45 2. The attorney general, or district attorney of the county wherein
46 the election occurred, shall have standing to initiate a forfeiture
47 proceeding brought pursuant to article sixteen of this chapter. To the
48 extent possible, this special proceeding shall be governed by the proce-
49 dures of article thirteen-A of the civil practice law and rules shall
50 govern the proceedings and actions under this section.
51 3. The comptroller shall receive any forfeited unspent contributions
52 and, to the extent practicable, return such funds to the private source
53 of such funds, as long as the private source of such funds is located
54 within the district that is represented by the elected candidate for
A. 4617 22
1 public office or elected official or statewide for governor, comp-
2 troller, and attorney general. If the comptroller fails to locate the
3 private source of such funds, or if the private source of such funds
4 resides outside of the election district that is represented by the
5 elected candidate for public office or elected official or statewide for
6 governor, comptroller, and attorney general, the unspent contributions
7 shall be donated to a charitable organization that is, to the extent
8 practicable, located in the election district that is represented by the
9 elected candidate for public office or elected official or statewide for
10 governor, comptroller, and attorney general. Any forfeited unspent
11 contributions shall be returned to the private source of such funds, or
12 donated to a charitable organization, within one hundred eighty days of
13 the receipt of such funds by the comptroller.
14 4. For the purposes of this section, "charitable organization" shall
15 mean any non-profit corporation organized for bona fide charitable or
16 philanthropic purposes.
17 5. The comptroller shall provide the governor and the legislature with
18 a list of charitable organizations that are eligible to receive
19 donations pursuant to this section. Charitable organizations on such
20 list may be deemed ineligible to receive donations pursuant to this
21 section by the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the
22 speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the senate or the minor-
23 ity leader of the assembly.
24 § 2. The election law is amended by adding a new section 16-111 to
25 read as follows:
26 § 16-111. Proceedings as to forfeiture of funds. The attorney general
27 or the district attorney may bring a special proceeding seeking to seize
28 and cause to be forfeited the funds of a designated campaign account as
29 outlined in section 14-131 of this chapter. Upon a showing of indictment
30 or criminal arraignment, an action may be instituted pursuant to this
31 section which will allow for the freezing of said designated campaign
32 account.
33 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
34 PART D
35 Section 1. The penal law is amended by adding a new article 201 to
36 read as follows:
37 ARTICLE 201
38 FAILURE TO REPORT CORRUPTION
39 Section 201.00 Failure to report corruption.
40 § 201.00 Failure to report corruption.
41 1. A public servant is guilty of failure to report corruption when:
42 (a) A public servant knows that another person or public servant is
43 guilty of official misconduct pursuant to article one hundred ninety-
44 five of this title; is guilty of bribery or bribe receiving pursuant to
45 article two hundred of this title; or is guilty of a crime of corrupting
46 the government pursuant to article four hundred ninety-six of this
47 title; and
48 (b) Such public servant does not, as soon as reasonably practicable,
49 report such crime to a district attorney or to the Commission on Offi-
50 cial Misconduct.
51 2. Any public servant who makes a report pursuant to this section
52 shall not be subject to dismissal, discipline or other personnel action
53 as a result of making such report.
54 Failure to report corruption is a class A misdemeanor.
A. 4617 23
1 § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
2 it shall have become a law.
3 PART E
4 Section 1. Section 14-130 of the election law, as added by chapter 152
5 of the laws of 1985, is amended to read as follows:
6 § 14-130. Campaign funds for personal use. 1. Contributions received
7 by a candidate or a political committee may be expended for any lawful
8 purpose that is directly related to promoting the nomination or election
9 of a candidate. Such funds shall not be converted by any person to a
10 personal use [which is unrelated to a political campaign or the holding
11 of a public office or party position].
12 2. (a) As used in this section, expenditures for "personal use" are
13 defined as expenditures that:
14 (i) are for the personal benefit of the candidate or any other indi-
15 vidual;
16 (ii) defray normal living expenses of the candidate, immediate family
17 of the candidate, or any other individual;
18 (iii) are used to fulfill any commitment, obligation, or expense of a
19 person that would exist irrespective of the candidate's election
20 campaign;
21 (iv) are put to any use for which the candidate would be required to
22 treat the amount of the expenditure as gross income under section
23 sixty-one of the Internal Revenue Code, or any subsequent corresponding
24 section of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States.
25 (b) Expenditures for personal use shall include, but are not limited
26 to, expenses for the following that are not related to campaign purposes
27 or activities:
28 (i) criminal attorney or legal fees;
29 (ii) food;
30 (iii) salary payments to a person or a family member;
31 (iv) automobile purchases or leases;
32 (v) travel and mileage;
33 (vi) residential or household items;
34 (vii) mortgage, rent, or utility payments;
35 (viii) funeral, cremation, or burial;
36 (ix) clothing;
37 (x) tuition payments;
38 (xi) childcare;
39 (xii) dues, fees, or gratuities at a country club, health club,
40 fraternal organization or professional organization or recreational
41 facility;
42 (xiii) admission to a sporting event, concert, theater, or other form
43 of entertainment;
44 (xiv) payment of any fines, fees, or penalties; and
45 (xv) any other expenditure designated by the Commission on Official
46 Conduct as constituting personal use.
47 § 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeed-
48 ing the date on which it shall have become a law.
49 PART F
50 Section 1. Section 14-126 of the election law, as amended by section 6
51 of subpart C of part H of chapter 55 of the laws of 2014 and subdivision
A. 4617 24
1 1 as separately amended by section 1 of subpart B of part H of chapter
2 55 of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:
3 § 14-126. Violations; penalties. 1. (a) Any person who fails to file a
4 statement required to be filed by this article shall be subject to a
5 civil penalty, not in excess of one thousand dollars, to be recoverable
6 in a special proceeding or civil action to be brought by the chief
7 enforcement counsel pursuant to section 16-114 of this chapter or by the
8 Commission on Official Conduct. Any person who, three or more times
9 within a given election cycle for such term of office, fails to file a
10 statement or statements required to be filed by this article, shall be
11 subject to a civil penalty, not in excess of ten thousand dollars, to be
12 recoverable as provided for in this subdivision.
13 (b) All payments received by the state board of elections pursuant to
14 this section shall be retained in the appropriate accounts as designated
15 by the division of the budget for enforcement activities by the board of
16 elections.
17 2. Any person who, acting as or on behalf of a candidate or political
18 committee, under circumstances evincing an intent to violate such law,
19 unlawfully accepts a contribution in excess of a contribution limitation
20 established in this article, shall be required to refund such excess
21 amount and shall be subject to a civil penalty equal to the excess
22 amount plus a fine of up to ten thousand dollars, to be recoverable in a
23 special proceeding or civil action to be brought by the state board of
24 elections chief enforcement counsel.
25 3. Any person who falsely identifies or knowingly fails to identify
26 any independent expenditure as required by subdivision two of section
27 14-107 of this article shall be subject to a civil penalty up to one
28 thousand dollars or up to the cost of the communication, whichever is
29 greater, in a special proceeding or civil action brought by the state
30 board of elections chief enforcement counsel or imposed directly by the
31 state board of elections. For purposes of this subdivision, the term
32 "person" shall mean a person, group of persons, corporation, unincorpo-
33 rated business entity, labor organization or business, trade or profes-
34 sional association or organization or political committee.
35 4. (a) Any person who knowingly and willfully fails to file a state-
36 ment required to be filed by this article within ten days after the date
37 provided for filing such statement or any person who knowingly and will-
38 fully violates any other provision of this article shall be guilty of a
39 misdemeanor.
40 (b) Any candidate or person acting as or on behalf of a candidate or
41 political committee who knowingly and willfully fails to file a state-
42 ment required to be filed by this article within thirty days after the
43 date provided for filing such statement, unless granted an extension by
44 the state board of elections or other board of elections, shall be
45 subject to a civil penalty of one thousand dollars for the first offense
46 and two thousand five hundred dollars for the second offense and every
47 offense committed thereafter to be recoverable in a special proceeding
48 or civil action to be brought by the Commission on Official Conduct.
49 Candidates shall be placed on notice by the board of elections, and will
50 be liable for any criminal or civil penalties for the treasurer's fail-
51 ure to file required disclosure reports.
52 5. Any person who knowingly and willfully contributes, accepts or aids
53 or participates in the acceptance of a contribution in an amount exceed-
54 ing an applicable maximum specified in this article shall be guilty of a
55 class A misdemeanor.
A. 4617 25
1 6. Any person who shall, acting on behalf of a candidate or political
2 committee, knowingly and willfully solicit, organize or coordinate the
3 formation of activities of one or more unauthorized committees, make
4 expenditures in connection with the nomination for election or election
5 of any candidate, or solicit any person to make any such expenditures,
6 for the purpose of evading the contribution limitations of this article,
7 shall be guilty of a class E felony.
8 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
9 PART G
10 Section 1. The legislative law is amended by adding a new section 5-b
11 to read as follows:
12 § 5-b. Limits on time a legislator may serve as a legislative leader.
13 No member of the legislature may be elected to serve more than four
14 consecutive two year terms as the temporary president of the senate,
15 minority leader of the senate, speaker of the assembly, minority leader
16 of the assembly or the chairperson of any senate or assembly committee.
17 § 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeed-
18 ing the date on which it shall have become a law.
19 § 3. Severability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivi-
20 sion, section or part of this act shall be adjudged by any court of
21 competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect,
22 impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in
23 its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section
24 or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judg-
25 ment shall have been rendered. It is hereby declared to be the intent of
26 the legislature that this act would have been enacted even if such
27 invalid provisions had not been included herein.
28 § 4. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that
29 the applicable effective dates of Parts A through G of this act shall be
30 as specifically set forth in the last section of such Parts.
