Relates to political contribution activities by an intermediary

1 Co-sponsor

• José M. Serrano

BILL NUMBER:S5565B

Title of bill

An act to amend the election law, in relation to contribution activities by an intermediary

Purpose

This bill is designed to provide for the disclosure of intermediaries such as bundlers, as well as the source and amount of the contributions they deliver, and the employment information of contributors of $100 or more.

Summary of provisions

Section 1: Amends the Election Law to add a new section 14-105, in which subdivision one defines an "intermediary" as an individual or one of several types of organizations that delivers contributions from another to a candidate or authorized committee, or solicits contributions to a candidate or authorized committee with the knowledge of the candidate or his or her authorized committee. Family members, campaign workers and commercial fundraising firms retained by the candidate are excluded from this definition.

Subdivision two requires that when an intermediary delivers contrib- utions of more than $1000, it must provide the name, mailing address and occupation of any contributor of over $99, and if the contribution is two hundred dollars or more, then it must also provide the name and address of the contributor's employer. The intermediary is also required to provide the total amount of contributions of $99 or less.

Subdivision three requires the candidate, his or her authorized commit- tee, or the party committee to report to the state board of elections any intermediary who delivers contributions totaling one thousand dollars or more.

Subdivision four provides for the state board of elections to provide for reporting of the intermediary's name, mailing address, occupation and employer, and the total amount of contributions he or she delivers.

Section 2: Provides that the Act takes effect sixty days after it becomes a law.

Existing law

Under the existing law, there is no requirement for the disclosure of such intermediaries and their fundraising activities.

Justification

Currently, bundlers and other intermediaries, who solicit contributions on behalf of a candidate, are not subject to disclosure of the amounts they raise, unlike under Federal law. They also are not required to report who employs them. Given the high campaign contribution limits in New York, complete disclosure is all the more important, as the public should have access to information that might reveal activities and involvements that lend themselves to attempts to influence legislation. In 2007, New York received a grade of "C" from the Campaign Disclosure project because of its campaign finance disclosure laws.

Legislative history

None.

Fiscal implications

None.

Local fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This bill is effective on January 1, 2011.