Assembly Bill A737

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                    737
 
                        2017-2018 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              January 9, 2017
                                ___________
 
 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:
   §  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.
                                                            LBD89051-01-7

 A. 737                              2
 
   §  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.