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History
- Referred to elections
- Referred to elections
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.
Provides that remaining campaign accounts be transferred to the state treasury after death of a candidate
In Assembly Committee · Election Law · Sponsor John McEneny
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S1163
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to providing that campaign accounts be transferred to the state treasury upon death of a candidate
Purpose or general idea of bill
Provides that remaining campaign accounts be transferred to the stat treasury after the death of a candidate unless previous arrangements have been made to have the funds donated to a charity of the candidate's choice upon his or her death.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one (1) requires the disposal of campaign funds to the state comptroller (2) requires the treasurer of said political committee to notify the board of elections within 30 days of the candidates death (3) allows said candidate to designate a charitable organization to receive the balance of any monies.
Section 2 provides that this act shall take effect 60 days after it has become law.
Justification
In August 2009, it was revealed that the widow of the late Senator Ron Stafford had been making contributions to various charities and campaign committees from the "Committee to Re-elect Stafford" account. Since his death in 2005, Kay Stafford has doled out approximately $60,000. Kay Stafford is a long time lobbyist with CMA Consulting Services.
These contributions are known as "ghost" contributions. Currently, there is no statute in New York state law addressing the disposition of funds when someone with a campaign account passes away. This bill clearly states who would inherit control of the money and where the money is permitted to go, post mortem. This area of law needs to be clearly defined.
Prior legislative history
2010: A.11517/S.6259
Fiscal implications
None to the State
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it has become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.