What's happening
This bill prohibits private individuals or entities from paying for any administrative expenses related to the conduct of referendums in New York.
Why it matters
Limits private influence over public referendums. By prohibiting private individuals and entities from funding administrative costs, the bill aims to ensure that the conduct of referendums is solely managed and financed by the government, reducing the risk of outside influence on how elections are run.
Ensures equitable access to referendum processes. Without private funding, all referendums—regardless of the issue or who is supporting it—must rely on public resources, which could help prevent wealthier groups from gaining an unfair advantage in the administration of ballot measures.
Could impact local government budgets. Local and state governments will bear the full cost of running referendums, which may put pressure on public budgets, potentially leading to fewer referendums or increased scrutiny of their necessity and cost.
Broad definition of covered expenses. The bill covers “equipment, materials and personnel,” meaning any operational aspect of running a referendum cannot be subsidized by private sources, closing potential loopholes for indirect private support.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Private Funding for Referendums
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Reported referred to ways and means
- Referred to election law
- Referred to election law
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4427
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 2, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. LAVINE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to prohibiting private individuals or entities to pay for the administrative expenses associated with the conduct of a referendum
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The election law is amended by adding a new section 1-108 to read as follows:
§ 1-108. Expenses related to local mandatory and permissive referendum. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no private individual, partnership, corporation, industry, association, organization, firm, trust, estate or other legal entity not associated with the state or a municipality shall directly or indirectly pay or use or offer, consent to or agree to pay or use any money or property for or in aid of the payment of any expense incurred or expected to be incurred by the state or any county, city, town, village or special district, which expense is associated with the conduct of a mandatory or permissive referendum conducted for the purpose of deciding any ballot question submitted to all the voters of any county, city, town, village or special district. Such expenses shall include, but not be limited to the costs associated with equipment, materials and personnel utilized to conduct the referendum.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07882-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.