Assembly Bill A2545

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

                                  2545

                       2011-2012 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            January 19, 2011
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. PRETLOW -- read once and referred to the Commit-
  tee on Governmental Operations

            CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY

proposing an amendment to article 13 of the constitution, in relation to
  codes of ethics

  Section 1. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That  article  13  of  the
constitution be amended by adding a new section 15 to read as follows:
  S  15.  A  PUBLIC  OFFICE IS A PUBLIC TRUST. THE PEOPLE SHALL HAVE THE
RIGHT TO SECURE AND SUSTAIN THAT TRUST AGAINST  ABUSE.  PUBLIC  OFFICERS
AND  EMPLOYEES MUST EXHIBIT THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT AND
DEMONSTRATE THE PERSONAL INTEGRITY OF EACH INDIVIDUAL IN GOVERNMENT.  TO
KEEP  FAITH  WITH  THIS BELIEF, EACH BRANCH OF STATE GOVERNMENT AND EACH
POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE SHALL ADOPT A CODE  OF  ETHICS  WHICH
SHALL APPLY TO APPOINTED AND ELECTED OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE
WHO HAVE INFLUENCE OVER POLICY OR THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION, AS THE CASE
MAY BE, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND OTHER BODIES.
  EACH CODE OF ETHICS SHALL BE ADMINISTERED BY A SEPARATE ETHICS COMMIS-
SION.  ETHICS  COMMISSIONERS SHALL BE SELECTED IN A MANNER WHICH ASSURES
THEIR INDEPENDENCE AND IMPARTIALITY.
  EACH CODE OF ETHICS SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED  TO,  PROVISIONS
ON  GIFTS,  CONFIDENTIAL  INFORMATION,  USE  OF POSITION, CONTRACTS WITH
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, POST-EMPLOYMENT, FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE, CONFLICT  OF
INTEREST  AND  LOBBYIST  REGISTRATION  AND  RESTRICTION.  THE  FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE PROVISIONS SHALL REQUIRE ALL ELECTED OFFICERS, ALL CANDIDATES
FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE AND SUCH APPOINTED OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES AS MAY  BE
PROVIDED BY LAW TO MAKE PUBLIC FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES. OTHER PUBLIC OFFI-
CIALS  HAVING SIGNIFICANT DISCRETIONARY OR FISCAL POWERS, AS PROVIDED BY
LAW,  SHALL  MAKE  CONFIDENTIAL  FINANCIAL  DISCLOSURES.  ALL  FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE  STATEMENTS SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, SOURCES AND
AMOUNTS OF INCOME, BUSINESS OWNERSHIP, OFFICER AND  DIRECTOR  POSITIONS,
OWNERSHIP OF REAL PROPERTY, DEBTS, CREDITOR INTERESTS IN INSOLVENT BUSI-
NESSES AND THE NAMES OF PERSONS REPRESENTED BEFORE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

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

                                                           LBD89093-01-1

A. 2545                             2

  S  2. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing amendment be
referred to the first regular legislative session  convening  after  the
next  succeeding  general  election  of members of the assembly, and, in
conformity with  section  1  of  article  19  of  the  constitution,  be
published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.