Prohibits lobbyists who are convicted of or plead guilty to class D felonies or higher level crimes from acting as a lobbyist for a period of three years

2 Co-sponsors

• Liz Krueger
• José M. Serrano

BILL NUMBER:S940

Title of bill

An act to amend the legislative law, in relation to prohibiting lobbyists who are convicted of or plead guilty to class D felonies or higher level crimes from acting as a lobbyist for a period of three years from the date of the conviction

Purpose

This bill would prohibit those convicted of a class D felony or higher from lobbying for a period of three years. In addition, this bill would allow the Joint Commission on Public Ethics ("JCOPE") to suspend a lobbyist who has pled guilty or is convicted of a felony for three years if the felony is deemed to substantially relate to such person's duties or clients as a lobbyist.

Summary of provisions

This bill amends section 1-o of the legislative law to add a new section (a) that bars a person from lobbying for three years if they are convicted of a class D felony or higher. The bill would apply to all crimes across the board.

Amends section 1-o of the legislative law to add a new section (b) that bars a person from lobbying for three years if they are convicted of or plead guilty to a felony and JCOPE, upon notice determines such criminal behavior to relate to his or her duties as a lobbyist. The bill would apply to all crimes across the board. If a final conviction or sentence is reduced or reversed on appeal, then such lobbyist shall be able to re-register with the commission and re-commence lobbying.

Existing law

New legislation.

Justification

In comparison to other states such as New Jersey and Nevada, New York State's regulations on lobbying and those allowed to register as lobbyists are lax. Recent events have outlined some gaping holes in these regulations. Currently, New York does not provide a mechanism for the suspension or outright prohibition of lobbying when someone is convicted of serious crimes, especially crimes that indicate a blatant lack of respect for the law. Under current New York State law, an individual convicted of certain felonies, incarcerated or on parole would be denied the right to vote- and yet still retain the right to serve as a lobbyist. This is an unfortunate loophole that this bill proposes to close by prohibiting the practice of lobbying for those convicted of class D felonies or higher. In addition this bill gives JCOPE the discretion to suspend lobbyists from the practice if the crimes committed relate to such duties.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None to the state.

Effective date

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