What's happening
This bill gives the New York Attorney General authority to investigate talent contract claims, including those involving out-of-state agents.
Why it matters
Expands consumer protections for talent in New York's entertainment, modeling, and sports industries. by allowing the Attorney General to investigate contract disputes involving agents located outside the state, addressing a common loophole where out-of-state agents escape oversight.
Centralizes decision-making power. with the Attorney General, who alone decides whether to pursue investigations, potentially increasing efficiency and consistency in handling these cases, but also concentrating authority in one office.
Creates a formal process for interstate cases. if the Attorney General finds a violation involving an out-of-state agent, the case must be referred to the local prosecutor where the violation occurred, facilitating cross-jurisdictional enforcement and potentially deterring agent misconduct.
Could make New York a safer market for talent. by signaling that contract abuses, regardless of where the agent is based, may face scrutiny, possibly encouraging fairer business practices industry-wide.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Let AG Probe Talent Contracts
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 55
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Referred to investigations and government operations
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6108
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 11, 2017
Introduced by Sen. FUNKE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to the authority of the attorney-general to investigate certain claims related to talent contracts
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 63 of the executive law is amended by adding a new subdivision 17 to read as follows:
17. Notwithstanding any law, regulation, policy or rule to the contrary, have the power and authority to investigate claims related to talent contracts, whether the agents who are signatory to those agreements reside physically within the state of New York or in another state or territory. The attorney-general shall have sole authority to determine whether to pursue a case under this subdivision, but should an investigation be conducted and a violation be discovered, the attorney-general shall refer such case to the chief prosecutor for the relevant jurisdiction for their consideration and possible action.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11678-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the authority of the attorney-general to investigate certain claims related to talent contracts
Purpose
Relates to the authority of the attorney-general to investigate certain claims related to talent contracts
Summary of specific provisions
Section one: amends section 63 of the executive law by adding a new subdivision 17
Section two: sets forth the effective date
Justification
The need for this bill was brought to our attention by a constituent who fell victim to an unscrupulous out of state talent agent and agreement. Unfortunately, because of the way that New York State Law is written, the Attorney General lacked the authority to investigate the case, since that authority was not specifically granted in law for these cases. This bill would simply allow the Attorney General to investigate such cases and refer any that have merit to the proper prosecutor with jurisdiction to act. This could be a local District Attorney if the complaint originates in New York or another state's Attorney General in cases involving an out of state agent. The goal of this legislation is to provide greater consumer protection to individuals who are in the news, entertainment and sports industries while still ensuring that reputable agents acting within the law are not harmed.
Prior legislative history
New Bill
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.