Establishes the crime of failure to file campaign statements, a class A misdemeanor

BILL NUMBER:S4622

Title of bill

An act to amend the penal law, in relation to establishing the crime of failure to file campaign statements, a class A misdemeanor

Purpose: The purpose of this bill is to strengthen the campaign finance law by requiring on time reporting of donations and expenses.

Summary of Provisions:

Section 1: Establishes the title of this bill as the "Campaign Finance Reporting Accountability Act."

Section 2: Creates a new section, Section 190.90 of the Penal Law;

Section 190.90: Establishes that if reporting of donations and expenses fail to be reported, knowingly, on three or more occasions, within thirty days such statement is due, is accountable of failing to file campaign statements, which is a class A misdemeanor.

Section 3: States the law shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.

Justification: It is estimated that New York has 2,300 campaign finance committees, controlling $31 million, that have not been filed in a timely manner. Candidates and campaign treasurers must be held accountable for the reporting of their contributions and expenses in a timely fashion. A failure to do so creates an unpleasant image of New York government, which causes an environment of public mistrust. This legislation would deconstruct that image by strengthening laws allowing for full disclosure and transparency and holding public officials more accountable to their constituents.

Prior Legislative History: New Bill.

Fiscal Implications: None.

Effective Date: This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.