NY State Senate Bill 2011-S31

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

Please enter your contact information

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

A valid email address is required.

Home address is used to determine the senate district in which you reside. Your support or opposition to this bill is then shared immediately with the senator who represents you.

Optional services from the NY State Senate:

Create an account. An account allows you to officially support or oppose key legislation, sign petitions with a single click, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.

Include a custom message for your Senator? (Optional)

Enter a message to your senator. Many New Yorkers use this to share the reasoning behind their support or opposition to the bill. Others might share a personal anecdote about how the bill would affect them or people they care about.

Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jan 04, 2012	referred to finance
Apr 05, 2011	notice of committee consideration - requested
Jan 05, 2011	referred to finance

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2011-S31 (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: Executive Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §94, rpld §94 sub 13-a, Exec L; amd §107, Civ Serv L; amd §§1-c & 60, rpld Art 5, Leg L; amd §3-104, El L; amd §212, RWB L
Versions Introduced in 2009-2010 Legislative Session:: S5738

2011-S31 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Enacts the commission on governmental ethics act of 2011.

2011-S31 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S31

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the executive law, the civil service law, the legislative law,
the election law
and the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law,
in relation to enacting the commission on governmental
ethics act of
2011; and to repeal certain provisions of the executive law and the
legislative law relating thereto

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Enact ethics reform by creating a commission on governmental ethics to
cover both the legislative and executive branches of government.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This bill merges the Legislative Ethics Commission (LEC) and the
Commission on Public Integrity (CPI), combining the duties of both
bodies within a new Commission on Governmental Ethics.

Section 1 establishes the commission on governmental ethics act of 2009.

Section 2 creates the Commission on Governmental Ethics, which covers
both the executive and legislative branches. The Commission consists
of nine members, three of whom are chosen by the governor and one

each chosen upon the recommendation of the comptroller, attorney
general, senate majority leader, senate minority leader, assembly
speaker and assembly minority leader. Members of the Commission are
not allowed to be state or federal lobbyists or employed by political
consulting firms, or the recipient of a state contract. The Chair and
Vice-Chair of the Commission are to be selected by a majority vote of
the Commissioners, either the Chair or the Vice-Chair must be
selected from among the appointees of the legislative branches, and
the Chair and vice-Chair must be members of different major political
parties.

Section 3 states that the Chair and Vice-Chair jointly select the
executive director of the Commission, and that the executive director
shall be appointed without regard to political affiliation and solely
on the basis of fitness to perform the assigned duties. The executive
director serves a five-year term and cannot serve more than two
consecutive terms.

Section 4 sets forth the procedures the Commission must take when it
receives notification of a possible violation of certain provisions
of the Public Officers Law, Civil Service Law or Legislative Law, and
states that the Commission shall publicly disclose the outcome of the
proceedings.

Section 5 repeals subdivision 13-a of section 94 of the executive law,
which established the Commission on Public Integrity.

Section 6 sets forth the powers and duties of the Commission, which
include the power and duty to promulgate rules concerning
restrictions on outside activities and limitations on the receipt of


gifts and honoraria by persons subject to its jurisdiction; the power
to conduct investigations, hold hearings, administer oaths,
affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, examine
them under oath and require the production of books, records,
documents or other evidence, and the duty to create a website.

Section 7 clarifies that the Commission continues to have
jurisdiction over state officials who have left office or state
service.

Section 8 makes technical changes.

Section 9 makes technical changes.

Section 10 states that the commission's activities shall be subject to
oversight by the state legislature and requires the legislative
committees responsible for oversight of the commission to hold
hearings on the annual report and recommendations of the Commission
within thirty days of its release.

Section 11 repeals Article 5 of the legislative law, which established
the Legislative Ethics Commission and its activities.

Section 12 transfers responsibility for enforcement of Article 14 of
the Election Law from the State Board of Elections to the Commission
on Governmental Ethics.

Section 13 provides that no Commissioner may be appointed as members
to the board of the New York Racing Association, Inc.

Sections 14-16 transfers all powers, duties,
functions, employees and records previously conferred upon the
Commission on Public Integrity and the Legislative Ethics Commission
to the Commission on Governmental Ethics.

Sections 17-22 make technical changes relating to the transfer of
functions from the Commission on public Integrity and the Legislative
Ethics Commission to the Commission on Governmental Ethics.

Section 23 relates to the compilation by state agencies of
information regarding persons who have business dealings with the
state.
Section 24 requires the Commission to submit a report to the
Governor and the Legislature on the status of the information
required to be gathered as described in section 24.

Section 25 contains a separability clause.

Section 26 provides that the act shall take effect 180
days after it shall have become law.

JUSTIFICATION:
The ethics changes that were enacted in 2007 included several
important reforms. However, the creation of the Commission on Public
Integrity (which oversees the executive branch) and the Legislative
Ethics Commission (overseeing the legislative branch) did not go far
enough to ensure that an independent body oversee ethics with respect


to the executive and legislative branches of government. The
Commission on Governmental Ethics would essentially merge these two
entities -- and contain appointees by both the executive and
legislative branches -- in an effort to increase effectiveness,
independence and transparency.

The Commission on Governmental Ethics, if established, would follow
the national trend of state ethics commissions that oversee both the
executive and legislative branches, in addition to overseeing
lobbyists and candidates for public office, in certain
circumstances. By its structure, it would be virtually impossible
for the newly established commission to be dominated by anyone
individual, elected official, or branch of government.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2010: S.5738

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The merger of these two entities should have no fiscal impact.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become
a law, provided further:

a.  the amendments to subdivision 3 of section 212 of the racing,
pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law made by section thirteen
of this act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner
as section 16 of chapter 18 of the laws of 2008 takes effect; and
b.  the amendments to subdivision 3 of section 212 of the racing,
pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law made by section thirteen of
this act shall not affect the repeal of such subdivision and shall
be deemed repealed therewith.

2011-S31 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                   31

                       2011-2012 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                               (PREFILED)

                             January 5, 2011
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sens.  SQUADRON,  ADAMS, BRESLIN, DUANE, KLEIN, KRUEGER,
  PARKER, PERKINS, SAMPSON, SERRANO, STAVISKY, STEWART-COUSINS,  VALESKY
  -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to
  the Committee on Finance

AN  ACT  to amend the executive law, the civil service law, the legisla-
  tive law, the election law and the racing,  pari-mutuel  wagering  and
  breeding  law,  in relation to enacting the commission on governmental
  ethics act of 2011; and to repeal certain provisions of the  executive
  law and the legislative law relating thereto

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "commission
on governmental ethics act of 2011".
  S 2. The section heading and subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 of  section
94  of  the executive law, as amended by chapter 14 of the laws of 2007,
are amended to read as follows:
  [Commission on public integrity;] COMMISSION ON  GOVERNMENTAL  ETHICS;
functions, powers and duties; review of financial disclosure statements;
advisory  opinions;  investigation  and  enforcement. 1. There is estab-
lished within the department of state a [commission on public integrity]
COMMISSION ON GOVERNMENTAL ETHICS which shall consist of [thirteen] NINE
members and shall have and exercise the powers and duties set  forth  in
this  section  only  with respect to [statewide] STATE elected officials
and state officers and employees, as defined in  sections  seventy-three
and  seventy-three-a  of the public officers law, candidates for [state-
wide] STATE elected office, and the political  party  chairman  as  that
term  is  defined in section seventy-three-a of the public officers law,
lobbyists and the clients of lobbyists as  such  terms  are  defined  in
article  one-A of the legislative law, and individuals who have formerly
held such positions, were lobbyists or clients  of  lobbyists,  as  such

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                           LBD00043-02-1

S. 31                               2

terms  are  defined in article one-A of the legislative law, or who have
formerly been such candidates. This section shall not revoke or  rescind
any  regulations or advisory opinions issued by the state ethics commis-
sion  and the temporary lobbying commission in effect upon the effective
date of a chapter of the laws  of  two  thousand  [seven]  ELEVEN  which
amended this section to the extent that such regulations or opinions are
not  inconsistent  with any law of the state of New York, but such regu-
lations and opinions shall apply only to matters over which such commis-
sions had jurisdiction at the time such regulations  and  opinions  were
promulgated  or  issued.  The commission shall undertake a comprehensive
review of all such regulations and  opinions,  which  will  address  the
consistency  of  such regulations and opinions among each other and with
the new statutory language. [The commission shall, before  April  first,
two  thousand  eight,  report  to the governor and legislature regarding
such review and shall propose any regulatory changes and issue any advi-
sory opinions necessitated by such review.]
  2. The members of the commission shall be appointed  by  the  governor
provided,  however, that one member shall be appointed on the nomination
of the comptroller, one member shall be appointed on the  nomination  of
the attorney general, one member shall be appointed on the nomination of
the  temporary president of the senate, one member shall be appointed on
the nomination of the speaker of  the  assembly,  one  member  shall  be
appointed  on  the  nomination of the minority leader of the senate, and
one member shall be appointed on the nomination of the  minority  leader
of  the assembly. Of the [seven] THREE members appointed by the governor
without prior nomination, no more than [four] TWO members  shall  belong
to  the  same political party [and no]. NO members shall be public offi-
cers or employees or hold any public office, elected  or  appointed.  No
member  shall be [a member of the legislature, a candidate for member of
the legislature,] an employee of  the  legislature,  a  political  party
chairman  as  defined  in  paragraph  (k)  of subdivision one of section
seventy-three of the public officers law, [or a lobbyist as  defined  in
subdivision (a) of section one-c of the legislative law] OR A REGISTERED
LOBBYIST  IN  ANY  OTHER  STATE, OR BEFORE THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS OR
EXECUTIVE BRANCH. NO MEMBER WHO IS A PARTNER, OF  COUNSEL  OR  OTHERWISE
EMPLOYED BY A POLITICAL CONSULTING FIRM OR AN ENTITY REGISTERED PURSUANT
TO SUBDIVISION (A) OF SECTION ONE-C OF THE LEGISLATIVE LAW OR ANY ENTITY
RECEIVING A STATE CONTRACT, MAY SHARE IN ANY PART OF THE PROFITS DERIVED
FROM  LOBBYING  OR POLITICAL CONSULTING AND SHALL NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE
PLANNING, STRATEGY OR DECISION MAKING OF MATTERS RELATED TO LOBBYING  OR
POLITICAL  CONSULTING.  TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
SHALL BE INDIVIDUALS WITH EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OR EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD
OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS.
  3. Members of the commission shall serve  for  terms  of  five  years;
provided,  however,  that  of  the members first appointed without prior
nomination, [one shall serve for one year,]  one  shall  serve  for  two
years,  one  shall  serve  for three years, and one shall serve for four
years, as designated by the governor; the members first appointed on the
nominations of the comptroller and the temporary president of the senate
shall serve for four years and the members first appointed on the  nomi-
nations  of  the  attorney general and the speaker of the assembly shall
serve for two years.
  4. [The governor shall designate the chairman of the  commission  from
among  the  members thereof, who shall serve as chairman at the pleasure
of the governor.] THE CHAIR AND THE VICE-CHAIR OF THE  COMMISSION  SHALL
BE ELECTED BY A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION TO SERVE A ONE

S. 31                               3

YEAR  TERM.   EITHER THE CHAIR OR THE VICE-CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION SHALL
BE SELECTED FROM AMONG THE APPOINTEES OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES.   THE
CHAIR  AND    THE VICE-CHAIR SHALL EACH BE A MEMBER OF A DIFFERENT MAJOR
POLITICAL PARTY AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN THE ELECTION LAW. The [chair-
man]  CHAIR  or  any  [seven]  FIVE members of the commission may call a
meeting.
  6. [Seven] FIVE members of the commission shall constitute  a  quorum,
and the commission shall have power to act by majority vote of the total
number of members of the commission without vacancy.
  S  3.  Paragraph  (a)  of subdivision 9 of section 94 of the executive
law, as amended by chapter 14 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as
follows:
  (a) [Appoint] THROUGH A JOINT AGREEMENT  BETWEEN  THE  CHAIR  AND  THE
VICE-CHAIR,  APPOINT  an  executive director who shall act in accordance
with the policies of the commission. THE  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  SHALL  BE
APPOINTED  WITHOUT  REGARD  TO  POLITICAL  AFFILIATION AND SOLELY ON THE
BASIS OF FITNESS TO PERFORM THE DUTIES ASSIGNED  BY  THIS  ARTICLE.  THE
TERM  OF  OFFICE  OF  THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL BE FIVE YEARS, EXCEPT
THAT THROUGH JOINT AGREEMENT, THE CHAIR AND THE  VICE-CHAIR  MAY  REMOVE
THE  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  ONLY  FOR  SUBSTANTIAL  NEGLECT OF DUTY, GROSS
MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE, OR INABILITY TO DISCHARGE THE POWERS OR DUTIES  OF
OFFICE, SHOWN AFTER GIVING SUCH PERSON A COPY OF THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM
OR  HER  AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD IN HIS OR HER DEFENSE. ANY INDI-
VIDUAL APPOINTED TO FILL A VACANCY PRIOR TO THE  EXPIRATION  OF  A  TERM
SHALL  SERVE  ONLY FOR THE UNEXPIRED PORTION OF SUCH TERM. AN INDIVIDUAL
SERVING AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE TERM MAY CONTINUE
TO SERVE UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS APPOINTED,  EXCEPT  THAT  SUCH  INDIVIDUAL
SHALL  NOT  SERVE IN THAT CAPACITY IN EXCESS OF ONE YEAR. THE COMMISSION
SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO  REAPPOINT  THE  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  FOR  A
SECOND  TERM.  NO  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  SHALL  SERVE MORE THAN TWO TERMS
CONSECUTIVELY. The commission may delegate authority  to  the  executive
director  to  act  in the name of the commission between meetings of the
commission provided such delegation  is  in  writing  and  the  specific
powers to be delegated are enumerated;
  S  4.  Paragraphs  (a)  and (b) of subdivision 12 of section 94 of the
executive law, as amended by chapter 14 of the laws of 2007, are amended
to read as follows:
  (a) If the commission receives a sworn complaint alleging a  violation
of  section seventy-three, seventy-three-a or seventy-four of the public
officers law, section one hundred seven of  the  civil  service  law  or
article  one-A  of  the legislative law by a person or entity subject to
the jurisdiction of the commission, or if  a  reporting  individual  has
filed   a   statement  which  reveals  a  possible  violation  of  these
provisions, or if the commission determines on  its  own  initiative  to
investigate  a possible violation, the commission shall notify the indi-
vidual in writing, describe the possible or alleged  violation  of  such
laws and provide the person with a fifteen day period in which to submit
a  written response setting forth information relating to the activities
cited as a possible or alleged violation of law. If the commission ther-
eafter makes a determination that further inquiry is justified, it shall
give the individual an opportunity to be  heard.  The  commission  shall
also inform the individual of its rules regarding the conduct of adjudi-
catory proceedings and appeals and the due process procedural mechanisms
available  to such individual. If the commission determines at any stage
of the proceeding, that there is no  violation  or  that  any  potential
conflict  of  interest  violation has been rectified, it shall so advise

S. 31                               4

the individual and  the  complainant,  if  any.  All  of  the  foregoing
proceedings shall be confidential EXCEPT THAT THE COMMISSION SHALL MAIN-
TAIN  TRANSCRIPTS OF THE TESTIMONY GIVEN AND SHALL PUBLICLY DISCLOSE THE
OUTCOME OF ANY SUCH PROCEEDING.
  (b)  If  the  commission  determines that there is reasonable cause to
believe that a violation has occurred, it shall send a notice of reason-
able cause: (i) to the reporting person; (ii) to the complainant if any;
(iii) in the case of a statewide elected official, to the GOVERNOR,  THE
temporary  president  of the senate and the speaker of the assembly; and
(iv) in the case of a state  officer  or  employee,  to  the  appointing
authority for such person.
  S 5. Subdivision 13-a of section 94 of the executive law is REPEALED.
  S  6. Subdivisions 16, 16-a and 17 of section 94 of the executive law,
subdivisions 16 and 17 as amended and subdivision 16-a as added by chap-
ter 14 of the laws of 2007, are amended to read as follows:
  16. In addition to any other powers and duties specified by  law,  the
commission shall have the power and duty to:
  (a) Promulgate rules concerning restrictions on outside activities and
limitations  on the receipt of gifts and honoraria by persons subject to
its jurisdiction, provided, however, a violation of such rules in and of
itself shall not be punishable pursuant to subdivision thirteen of  this
section  unless  the  conduct constituting the violation would otherwise
constitute a violation of this section; and
  (b) Conduct training  programs  in  cooperation  with  the  governor's
office of employee relations to provide education to individuals subject
to its jurisdiction; and
  (c) Administer and enforce all the provisions of this section; and
  (d) Conduct any investigation necessary to carry out the provisions of
this  section[.  Pursuant  to  this  power  and duty, the commission may
administer oaths  or  affirmations,  subpoena  witnesses,  compel  their
attendance  and  require the production of any books or records which it
may deem relevant or material]; AND
  (E) WITH RESPECT TO THE  PERFORMANCE  OF  ITS  FUNCTIONS,  DUTIES  AND
POWERS  AND SUBJECT TO THE LIMITATION CONTAINED IN PARAGRAPH (D) OF THIS
SUBDIVISION, THE COMMISSION SHALL BE AUTHORIZED AS FOLLOWS:
  (1) TO CONDUCT ANY INVESTIGATION AUTHORIZED BY  THIS  SECTION  AT  ANY
PLACE WITHIN THE STATE; AND TO MAINTAIN OFFICES, HOLD MEETINGS AND FUNC-
TIONS AT ANY PLACE WITHIN THE STATE AS IT MAY DEEM NECESSARY;
  (2)  TO  CONDUCT  PRIVATE  AND PUBLIC HEARINGS AND TO DESIGNATE ONE OR
MORE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION OR OF ITS STAFF TO PRESIDE OVER ANY  SUCH
HEARINGS;
  (3)  TO  ADMINISTER  OATHS OR AFFIRMATIONS, SUBPOENA WITNESSES, COMPEL
THEIR ATTENDANCE, EXAMINE THEM UNDER OATH OR AFFIRMATION AND REQUIRE THE
PRODUCTION OF ANY BOOKS, RECORDS, DOCUMENTS OR  OTHER  EVIDENCE  IT  MAY
DEEM  RELEVANT  OR  MATERIAL TO AN INVESTIGATION; AND THE COMMISSION MAY
DESIGNATE ANY OF ITS MEMBERS OR ANY MEMBER OF ITS STAFF TO EXERCISE  ANY
SUCH POWERS; AND
  (4)  UNLESS OTHERWISE INSTRUCTED BY A RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY A MAJORITY
OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION, EVERY  WITNESS  ATTENDING  BEFORE  THE
COMMISSION SHALL BE EXAMINED PRIVATELY AND THE COMMISSION SHALL NOT MAKE
PUBLIC  THE  PARTICULARS  OF  SUCH EXAMINATION. THE COMMISSION SHALL NOT
HAVE THE POWER TO TAKE TESTIMONY AT A PRIVATE HEARING  OR  AT  A  PUBLIC
HEARING  UNLESS  AT  LEAST  TWO  OF ITS MEMBERS, ONE OF WHOM SHALL BE AN
APPOINTEE OF THE GOVERNOR AND THE  OTHER  AN  APPOINTEE  OF  EITHER  THE
TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE OR OF THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, ARE
PRESENT AT SUCH HEARING.

S. 31                               5

  16-a.  Within  one  hundred  twenty days of the effective date of this
subdivision, the commission  shall  create  and  thereafter  maintain  a
publicly  accessible  website  which  shall  set forth the procedure for
filing a complaint with the commission,  and  which  shall  contain  the
documents  identified  in  subdivision seventeen of this section, [other
than financial disclosure statements,] and any other records or informa-
tion which the commission determines to be appropriate.
  17. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of article six  of  the  public
officers  law,  the only records of the commission which shall be avail-
able for public inspection and copying are:
  (1) the information set forth in  an  annual  statement  of  financial
disclosure filed pursuant to section seventy-three-a of the public offi-
cers  law  [except the categories of value or amount, which shall remain
confidential,] and any other item of  information  deleted  pursuant  to
paragraph (h) of subdivision nine of this section;
  (2)  notices  of  delinquency  sent  under  subdivision eleven of this
section;
  (3) notices of reasonable cause sent under paragraph (b)  of  subdivi-
sion twelve of this section;
  (4)  notices  of  civil  assessments  imposed under this section which
shall include a description of the nature of the alleged wrongdoing, the
procedural history of the complaint,  the  findings  and  determinations
made by the commission, and any sanction imposed;
  (5) the terms of any settlement or compromise of a complaint or refer-
ral which includes a fine, penalty or other remedy; [and]
  (6)  THE  HEARING  SHALL  BE TRANSCRIBED OR RECORDED AND A COPY OF THE
TRANSCRIPT OR RECORD, OR ANY PART THEREOF, SHALL BE  MADE  AVAILABLE  TO
ANY PARTY TO THE HEARING UPON REQUEST THEREFOR; AND
  (7)  those required to be held or maintained publicly available pursu-
ant to article one-A of the legislative law.
  (b) [Notwithstanding the provisions of article  seven  of  the  public
officers  law,  no  meeting or proceeding, including any such proceeding
contemplated under paragraph (h) or (i)  of  subdivision  nine  of  this
section,  of  the  commission  shall  be  open  to the public, except if
expressly provided otherwise by the commission  or  as  is  required  by
article one-A of the legislative law.
  (c)]  Pending any application for deletion or exemption to the commis-
sion, all information which is the subject or a part of the  application
shall  remain  confidential.  Upon  [an  adverse] A determination by the
commission, the reporting individual may request, and upon such  request
the  commission shall provide, that any information which is the subject
or part of the application remain confidential for a  period  of  thirty
days  following  notice  of  such  determination. [In the event that the
reporting individual resigns  his  office  and  holds  no  other  office
subject to the jurisdiction of the commission, the information shall not
be made public and shall be expunged in its entirety.]
  S  7.  Paragraph  (c) of subdivision 12 of section 94 of the executive
law, as amended by section 4 of chapter 14  of  the  laws  of  2007,  is
amended to read as follows:
  (c)  The  jurisdiction  of the commission when acting pursuant to this
section shall continue notwithstanding that a [statewide] STATE  elected
official or a state officer or employee separates from state service, or
a political party chair ceases to hold such office, or a candidate ceas-
es  to  be  a candidate, or a lobbyist or client of a lobbyist ceases to
act as such, provided that the commission notifies  such  individual  or
entity of the alleged violation of law pursuant to paragraph (a) of this

S. 31                               6

subdivision  within  one  year  from  his  or  her separation from state
service or his or her termination of party service or candidacy, or from
his, her or its last report filed  pursuant  to  article  one-A  of  the
legislative law. Nothing in this section shall serve to limit the juris-
diction of the commission in enforcement of subdivision eight of section
seventy-three of the public officers law.
  S 8. Subdivision 5 of section 107 of the civil service law, as amended
by chapter 14 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
  5.  Violation of this section. Complaints alleging a violation of this
section by a [statewide] STATE elected official or a  state  officer  or
employee,  as  defined  in  section seventy-three of the public officers
law, may be directed to the commission  on  [public  integrity]  GOVERN-
MENTAL ETHICS.
  S 9. Subdivision (f) of section 1-c of the legislative law, as amended
by chapter 14 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
  (f)  The term "commission" shall mean the commission on [public integ-
rity] GOVERNMENTAL ETHICS created by section ninety-four of  the  execu-
tive law.
  S  10. Section 60 of the legislative law, as amended by chapter 416 of
the laws of 1954, is amended to read as follows:
  S 60. Testimony before legislative committees.  1. THE  COMMISSION  ON
GOVERNMENTAL  ETHICS  ACTIVITIES  SHALL  BE  SUBJECT TO OVERSIGHT BY THE
LEGISLATURE. A legislative  committee  may  require  the  attendance  of
witnesses  in  this state whom the committee may wish to examine, or may
issue a commission for the examination of witnesses who are out  of  the
state  or  unable  to  attend  the committee or excused from attendance,
which commission if directed by the house or legislature  by  which  the
committee is appointed may be executed during the recess of the legisla-
ture.  A  commission  issued as provided by this section shall be in the
form used in the courts of record of this state and shall be executed in
like manner. Unless otherwise instructed  by  the  committee  appointing
them  the  commissioners shall examine privately every witness attending
before them and shall not make public the particulars of  such  examina-
tion.  No  committee of either house or a joint committee of both houses
shall have the power to take testimony at a  private  hearing  or  at  a
public  hearing  unless  at least two of its members are present at such
hearing.
  2. THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSIGHT OF THE COMMIS-
SION ON GOVERNMENTAL ETHICS CREATED PURSUANT TO SECTION  NINETY-FOUR  OF
THE  EXECUTIVE  LAW  SHALL HOLD HEARINGS REGARDING THE ANNUAL REPORT AND
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION  WITHIN  THIRTY  DAYS  OF  THE  PUBLIC
RELEASE OF THE COMMISSION'S ANNUAL REPORT.
  S 11. Article 5 of the legislative law is REPEALED.
  S 12. Section 3-104 of the election law, subdivisions 1, 3, 4 and 5 as
redesignated  and  subdivision  2 as amended by chapter 9 of the laws of
1978, is amended to read as follows:
  S 3-104. [State board of elections] COMMISSION ON GOVERNMENTAL ETHICS;
enforcement powers. 1. The [state  board  of  elections]  COMMISSION  ON
GOVERNMENTAL  ETHICS shall have jurisdiction of, and be responsible for,
the execution and enforcement of the provisions of article  fourteen  of
this  chapter  and  other  statutes  governing  campaigns, elections and
related procedures.
  2. Whenever the [state board of elections or other board of elections]
COMMISSION ON GOVERNMENTAL ETHICS shall determine, on its own initiative
or upon complaint FROM THE STATE BOARD OF  ELECTIONS,  OTHER  BOARDS  OF
ELECTION  OR  THE PUBLIC, or otherwise, that there is substantial reason

S. 31                               7

to believe a violation of this chapter or any code or regulation promul-
gated thereunder has occurred, it shall expeditiously make  an  investi-
gation  which shall also include investigation of reports and statements
made or failed to be made by the complainant and any political committee
supporting  his  candidacy  if the complainant is a candidate or, if the
complaint was made by an officer or member of a political committee,  of
reports  and  statements  made  or  failed  to be made by such political
committee and any candidates  supported  by  it.  The  [state  board  of
elections]  COMMISSION ON GOVERNMENTAL ETHICS, in lieu of making such an
investigation, may direct the appropriate board of elections to make  an
investigation. The [state board of elections] COMMISSION ON GOVERNMENTAL
ETHICS  may  request,  and  shall  receive,  the assistance of the state
police in any investigation it shall conduct.
  3. If, after an investigation, the [state or other board of elections]
COMMISSION ON GOVERNMENTAL ETHICS finds reasonable cause to believe that
a violation warranting criminal prosecution has taken  place,  it  shall
forthwith  refer  the matter to the district attorney of the appropriate
county and shall make available to such district attorney  all  relevant
papers, documents, testimony and findings relevant to its investigation.
  4.  The [state or other board of elections] COMMISSION ON GOVERNMENTAL
ETHICS may, where  appropriate,  commence  a  judicial  proceeding  with
respect  to  the  filing  or  failure to file any statement of receipts,
expenditures, or contributions, under the provisions  of  this  chapter,
and  the state board of elections may direct the appropriate other board
of elections to commence such proceeding.
  5. The [state board of elections] COMMISSION  ON  GOVERNMENTAL  ETHICS
may  promulgate  rules and regulations consistent with law to effectuate
the provisions of this section.
  S 13. Subdivision 3 of section 212 of the racing, pari-mutuel wagering
and breeding law, as amended by chapter 18  of  the  laws  of  2008,  is
amended to read as follows:
  3.  Such  members,  except as otherwise provided by law, may engage in
private or public employment, or in a profession or business. The board,
its members, officers and employees shall be subject to  the  provisions
of  sections  seventy-three and seventy-four of the public officers law.
No former trustee or officer of a non-profit racing association known as
The New York Racing Association, Inc. or  its  predecessor,  no  current
director or officer of a franchised corporation or any individual regis-
tered  with  the  New York commission on [public integrity] GOVERNMENTAL
ETHICS shall be appointed as members to the board nor shall  any  member
of  the  board  have  any  direct or indirect interest in any racehorse,
thoroughbred racing or  pari-mutuel  wagering  business,  video  lottery
terminal facility or any development at any racing facility.
  S  14.  All powers, duties and functions conferred upon the commission
on public integrity and the legislative ethics commission,  its  commis-
sioners  and executive directors, shall be transferred to and assumed by
the commission on governmental ethics and the commissioners  and  execu-
tive directors to be appointed thereof.
  S  15.  Transfer  of employees. Upon the transfer of the functions, as
provided for in this act, any affected employees shall be transferred to
the commission on governmental ethics in accordance with section  70  of
the civil service law.
  S  16. Transfer of records. The commission on public integrity and the
legislative ethics commission shall deliver to the commission on govern-
mental ethics all books, papers, records, and property as  requested  by
the commission on governmental ethics pursuant to this act.

S. 31                               8

  S  17.  Continuity  of authority. For the purpose of succession to all
functions, powers, duties and obligations transferred and  assigned  to,
devolved  upon and assumed by it pursuant to this act, the commission on
governmental ethics shall be deemed and held to constitute the continua-
tion  of  the  commission on public integrity and the legislative ethics
commission pertaining to the powers and functions herein transferred.
  S 18. Completion of unfinished business. Any business or other  matter
undertaken  or  commenced  by the commission on public integrity and the
legislative ethics commission pertaining to or connected with the  func-
tions, powers, obligations and duties hereby transferred and assigned to
the commission on governmental ethics, and pending on the effective date
of  this act may be conducted and completed by the commission on govern-
mental ethics in the same manner and under the same terms and conditions
and with the same effect as if conducted and  completed  by  the  former
commission on public integrity and the legislative ethics commission.
  S 19. Terms occurring in laws, contracts and other documents. Whenever
the  commission on public integrity or the legislative ethics commission
are referred to or designated in any law, contract or documents pertain-
ing to the functions, powers, obligations and duties hereby  transferred
and assigned to the commission on governmental ethics, such reference or
designation  shall  be deemed to refer to the commission on governmental
ethics as created by this act.
  S 20. Existing rights and remedies preserved.  No  existing  right  or
remedy of any character shall be lost, impaired or affected by reason of
this act.
  S 21. Pending actions and proceedings. No action or proceeding pending
at  the  time when this act shall take effect, brought by or against the
commission on public integrity  or  the  legislative  ethics  commission
relating  to the function, power or duty transferred to or devolved upon
the commission on governmental ethics shall be affected by this act, but
the same may be prosecuted or defended in the name of the commission  on
governmental ethics and upon application to the court, the commission on
governmental ethics shall be substituted as a party.
  S 22. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the state finance law,
transfer  of  appropriations heretofore made to the commission on public
integrity and the legislative ethics commission, all  appropriations  or
reappropriations for the functions herein transferred heretofore made to
the commission on public integrity and the legislative ethics commission
segregated  pursuant  to  law,  to the extent of remaining unexpended or
unencumbered balances thereof,  whether  allocated  or  unallocated  and
whether  obligated or unobligated, are hereby transferred to the commis-
sion on governmental ethics to the extent necessary  to  carry  out  the
commission  on governmental ethics' functions, powers and duties subject
to the approval of the director of the budget for the same purposes  for
which  originally appropriated or reappropriated and shall be payable on
vouchers certified or approved by the  office  of  public  integrity  on
audit and warrant of the comptroller.
  S  23.  Each state agency with which any person who has business deal-
ings with the state conducts such business  shall,  provide  appropriate
assistance  in  developing  the  database of state contractors and shall
take such steps as necessary to collect  such  information  as  required
pursuant  to  this  law. Each state agency with which any person who has
business dealings with the state conducts such business  shall,  at  the
commission's  request,  provide appropriate assistance to the commission
in publicizing this law and the rules of the  commission  in  connection
with contributions of persons who have business dealings with the state.

S. 31                               9

  S  24.  The commission on governmental ethics shall submit a report to
the governor and the legislature on the status of the lobbyist and state
contractor database within 24 months of the effective date of this  act.
Such  report shall contain the status of both of the database components
and whether each such component has been certified, for those components
that have not been certified, if any, what the status is of the develop-
ment  of  such  component  of the database and the expected timeline for
such component's certification.
  S 25. Separability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section
or part of this act shall be adjudged by any court of  competent  juris-
diction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invali-
date  the  remainder  thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to
the clause,  sentence,  paragraph,  section  or  part  thereof  directly
involved  in  the  controversy  in  which  such judgment shall have been
rendered.
  S 26. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall  have
become a law, provided, further:
  a. the amendments to subdivision 3 of section 212 of the racing, pari-
mutuel  wagering  and  breeding law made by section thirteen of this act
shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as section  16
of chapter 18 of the laws of 2008 takes effect; and
  b. the amendments to subdivision 3 of section 212 of the racing, pari-
mutuel  wagering  and  breeding law made by section thirteen of this act
shall not affect the repeal of such  subdivision  and  shall  be  deemed
repealed therewith.

Comments

Open Legislation is a forum for New York State legislation. All comments are subject to review and community moderation is encouraged.

Comments deemed off-topic, commercial, campaign-related, self-promotional; or that contain profanity, hate or toxic speech; or that link to sites outside of the nysenate.gov domain are not permitted, and will not be published. Attempts to intimidate and silence contributors or deliberately deceive the public, including excessive or extraneous posting/posts, or coordinated activity, are prohibited and may result in the temporary or permanent banning of the user. Comment moderation is generally performed Monday through Friday. By contributing or voting you agree to the Terms of Participation and verify you are over 13.

Create an account. An account allows you to sign petitions with a single click, officially support or oppose key legislation, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.

Senate Bill S31

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

co-Sponsors

2011-S31 (ACTIVE) - Details

2011-S31 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2011-S31 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2011-S31 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

Senate Bill S31

Share this bill

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

co-Sponsors

2011-S31 (ACTIVE) - Details

2011-S31 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2011-S31 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2011-S31 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments