What's happening
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring all branches and subdivisions of New York State government to adopt and enforce codes of ethics, including financial disclosure and independent ethics commissions.
Why it matters
Mandates robust, enforceable ethics standards. By requiring every branch and political subdivision of state government to adopt comprehensive ethics codes, the amendment aims to create consistent, legally binding standards for ethical conduct across all levels of government, potentially reducing opportunities for corruption or abuse of power.
Includes independent oversight mechanisms. The requirement for separate, independent ethics commissions for each branch and subdivision is designed to ensure impartial enforcement of these ethics codes, which addresses concerns about self-policing and conflicts of interest in oversight.
Expands financial disclosure and transparency. The amendment broadens financial disclosure requirements to include not only current officeholders but also candidates for office and certain appointed officials, with both public and confidential disclosures based on position. This could make it harder for public officials to hide conflicts of interest or unethical financial relationships.
Covers key areas of government ethics. By specifying coverage of gifts, use of confidential information, post-employment activities, government contracts, conflicts of interest, and lobbying, the amendment targets multiple common avenues for unethical or corrupt behavior, aiming to increase public trust and accountability in government.
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Who cares
State government branches and local governments
The proposed constitutional amendment would require each to adopt an ethics code administered by a separate ethics commission whose members are selected to ensure independence and impartiality.
Elected officials and candidates for elective office
They would have to publicly disclose financial information, including income sources and amounts, business ownership, real estate and debts.
Appointed officials, government employees and board members
Ethics codes would cover gifts, confidential information, use of position, government contracts, conflicts of interest and post-employment conduct.
Lobbyists
Each ethics code would have to include provisions on lobbyist registration and restrictions.
Headline styles
Require Government Ethics Codes
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to governmental operations
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to governmental operations
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
737
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. PRETLOW -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to article 13 of the constitution, in relation to codes of ethics
Section 1. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That article 13 of the constitution be amended by adding a new section 15 to read as follows:
§ 15. A public office is a public trust. The people shall have the right to secure and sustain that trust against abuse. Public officers and employees must exhibit the highest standards of ethical conduct and demonstrate the personal integrity of each individual in government. To keep faith with this belief, each branch of state government and each political subdivision of the state shall adopt a code of ethics which shall apply to appointed and elected officers and employees of the state who have influence over policy or the political subdivision, as the case may be, including members of the boards, commissions and other bodies.
Each code of ethics shall be administered by a separate ethics commission. Ethics commissioners shall be selected in a manner which assures their independence and impartiality.
Each code of ethics shall include, but not be limited to, provisions on gifts, confidential information, use of position, contracts with government agencies, post-employment, financial disclosure, conflict of interest and lobbyist registration and restriction. The financial disclosure provisions shall require all elected officers, all candidates for elective office and such appointed officers and employees as may be provided by law to make public financial disclosures. Other public officials having significant discretionary or fiscal powers, as provided by law, shall make confidential financial disclosures. All financial disclosure statements shall include, but not be limited to, sources and amounts of income, business ownership, officer and director positions, ownership of real property, debts, creditor interests in insolvent businesses and the names of persons represented before government agencies.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89051-01-7
A. 737 2
§ 2. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
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.