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S2677Senate2011-2012 SessionSame asA3805

Authorizes a public retirement system, mutual fund, or other institutional investor to bring actions for damages sustained due to violations of the Martin Act

Sponsor Gustavo RiveraSD-33+1 co-sponsorAffects Economy
Status
In Senate Committee
Rules
Impact
Pending
Passage
Pending

Bill progress

Step 2 of 7

In committee · Rules

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Who cares

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Sponsors

Primary sponsor
Gustavo Rivera

Senator · Senate District 33

1 Co-sponsor

History

  1. Committee discharged and committed to rules
  2. Notice of committee consideration - requested
  3. Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
  4. Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions

Companion bill

Full text

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

Sponsor's memo

BILL NUMBER:S2677

Title of bill

An act to amend the business corporation law and the retirement and social security law, in relation to authorizing certain actions by institutional investors

Purpose or general idea

This bill would provide authority to large institutional investors, including the state's pension fund to bring actions for damages resulting from violations of the State's securities laws.

Summary of specific provisions

Amends the BCL and R&SS Law to allow mutual funds and institutional investors, and the state retirement fund to bring an action for damages as a result of violating state securities laws.

Justification

As a result of recent corporate wrongdoings, trustees of large institutional investors such as mutual funds or the State's pension fund, have found themselves without remedy for damages and massive losses due to corporate violations of state securities laws. Under current law, the State attorney general has broad powers to prevent fraudulent securities practices, yet large institutional investors have no right of action when the state's securities laws are violated, because New York is only one or two states without such remedy. This bill only furthers the purposes of the Martin Act which are to deter fraudulent practices in the sale of securities and protect investors thereof.

Investors, under current federal law, may make damage claims in federal court under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, but no such avenue exists for state securities laws. By bringing action in State court, large institutional investors can have an appropriate avenue to bring damage claims against corporations established themselves by state law. The amended version of this bill incorporates the recommendations of the Comptroller of the State of New York, the sole trustee of the State's pension fund, who fully supports the legislation.

Prior legislative history

Referred to Senate Rules Committee (2008) A.8949-A (2003-04), A.2102 (2005-06; Passed Assembly). A.1369 (2007-0008; Passed Assembly in 2007). 2009-10: Schneiderman S.5768

Fiscal implication for state and local governments

None.

Effective date

Immediately.

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