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S4061Senate2009-2010 Session

Relates to increasing fines and penalties for certain violations; requires refund of certain illegal contributions

Sponsor Eric T. SchneidermanSD-31Affects Public Safety & Consumer Affairs
Status
In Senate Committee
Elections
Impact
Pending
Passage
Pending

Bill progress

Step 2 of 7

In committee · Elections

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Who cares

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Sponsors

Primary sponsor
Eric T. Schneiderman

Senator · Senate District 31

No co-sponsors yet.

History

  1. Referred to elections
  2. Print number 4061b
  3. Amend (t) and recommit to elections
  4. Print number 4061a
  5. Amend and recommit to elections
  6. Referred to elections

Full text

The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.

Sponsor's memo

Title of bill

An act to amend the election law, in relation to increasing penalties for certain violations

Purpose

This legislation would increase fines and penalties for certain violations; requires refund of certain illegal contributions.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill amends Election Law § 14-126 to increase civil penalties for penalties for violations of New York's campaign finance laws. The bill imposes civil penalties of up to $10,000 for: (1) acceptance of excess contributions; (2) expending campaign funds for personal use; and (3) political committee violations of the campaign finance law. Those who fail to file campaign finance statements will be subject to a $1,000 fine, doubled from the current $500 fine.

Justification

Current penalties for violations of campaign finance laws in New York are either nonexistent or extremely weak. The maximum civil fine for violating campaign finance disclosure laws is only $500. The fines under current law are far too low, considering the level of contributions candidates receive. This legislation is an important component of a series of meaningful campaign finance reforms for New Yorkers.

Legislative history

New Legislation.

Fiscal implications

There may be a small increase in revenues due to increased fine levels.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become law.

Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.