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Who cares
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Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to governmental operations
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Prohibits political contributions by businesses that have been awarded state contracts
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:A10781
Title of bill
An act to amend the state finance law, in relation to prohibiting political contributions by businesses that have been awarded state contracts
Purpose
To ensure that business entities receiving or renewing state contracts cannot directly or indirectly make expenditures for political purposes, which could influence their ability to receive or renew such contracts.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill adds a new section 148 to the state finance law prohibiting state contractors from making direct or indirect political expenditures in support of or in opposition to any political organization or candidate.
Section 2 of the bill sets forth the effective date.
Justification
This bill addresses the potential for "pay to play" corruption of the state's contracting processes that arises when busi- ness entities spend large amounts of money on political campaigns and also receive government funds through state contracts. This issue has gained importance with the recent decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which eliminated certain restrictions on corporations' ability to spend corporate treasury funds in support of or in opposition to political candidates, political parties and ballot issues. Citizens United allows corporations to spend unlimited amounts on independent political advertising in support of or in opposition to candidates for political office, ballot issues, and political organizations. This could have a seriously distorting and corrupting effect on the award of government contracts, since such expenditures could unduly influence those with the authority to award government contracts, as well as politicians with the power to influence those who award them.
Legislative history
This is a new bill in the Assembly; same as S7478 of 2010 (Addabbo).
Fiscal impact on the state
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law and shall apply to contracts awarded or renewed on or after such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.