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History
- Referred to finance
- Referred to finance
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.
Prohibits political contributions by businesses that have been awarded state contracts
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Brian Kavanagh
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S2858
Title of bill
An act to amend the state finance law, in relation to prohibiting political contributions by businesses that have been awarded state contracts
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to ensure that business entities receiving or renewing state contracts cannot directly or indirectly make expenditures for political purposes, which could influence their ability to receive such a contract or renewal, and would in effect involve the use of public funds to buy such influence.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Adds a new state finance law 148, which prohibits state contractors from making direct and indirect political expenditures in support of or in opposition to any political organization or candidate.
Section 2: Provides that the Act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it becomes law, and will apply to contracts awarded or renewed on or after that date.
Existing law
New bill.
Justification
This bill is a response to the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which effectively eliminated restrictions on corporations' ability to spend corporate treasury funds in support of or in opposition to political candidates, political parties and ballot issues. This decision opens the flood gates for corporations to use their considerable wealth to spend as much as they want on independent political advertising in support of or in opposition to candidates for political office, ballot issues and political organizations. This could have a seriously distorting and corrupting effect on the election of our representatives and the awarding of government contracts, since the ability to make such expenditures could be used to threaten those with the authority to award government contracts, as well as politicians with the power to influence those who award them.
Legislative history
2013-2014: S.2538 - Referred to Senate Finance Committee.
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
This bill is effective on the thirtieth day after becoming law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.