What's happening
This bill prohibits former members of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics from working in the governor's executive chamber or appearing before state agencies for two years after their service.
Why it matters
Strengthens ethics and reduces conflicts of interest. By banning former Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) members from working in the governor's executive chamber or appearing before state agencies for two years, the bill aims to prevent undue influence and ensure decisions are made without favoritism or insider advantage.
Addresses the ‘revolving door’ problem. This legislation directly targets the practice where officials move quickly from ethics oversight roles into powerful government positions or lobbying roles, which could erode public trust in the integrity of state government.
Signals a higher standard for government accountability. Expanding these prohibitions to cover JCOPE members, not just executive chamber staff, demonstrates a commitment to holding those who oversee ethics to even stricter standards, reinforcing the importance of impartiality and independence in public service.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Ethics Panel Revolving Door
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 3
History
- Referred to finance
- Reported and committed to rules
- 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.
Bar Ethics Members From Jobs
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Thomas Abinanti
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
920
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 5, 2017
Introduced by Sens. CROCI, MURPHY, ORTT, SERINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT to amend the public officers law, in relation to prohibitions on former members of the joint commission on public ethics
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraph (iv) of paragraph (a) of subdivision 8 of section 73 of the public officers law, as added by chapter 14 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
(iv) No person who has served as an officer or employee in the executive chamber of the governor or as a member of the joint commission on public ethics shall within a period of two years after termination of such service appear or practice before any state agency. Nor shall any person who has served as a member of the joint commission on public ethics, within a period of two years after such service, serve as an officer or employee in the executive chamber of the governor.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01732-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public officers law, in relation to prohibitions on former members of the joint commission on public ethics
Purpose
This bill bans departing members of JCOPE from appearing or practicing before any state agency, for which it had jurisdiction over, for a period of two years. Further, this bill prohibits members from JCOPE from transferring their state service to the Executive Chamber for a period of two years.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one bans former members of JCOPE from appearing or practicing before any state agency, for which it had jurisdiction over, for a period of two years. Further, this bill prohibits members from JCOPE from transferring their state service to the Executive Chamber for a period of two years.
Section two provides that this act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall become law.
Justification
JCOPE, established in 2011, is the watchdog for the operation and oversight of state government. As JCOPE itself states, their mission is to promote integrity, help those in public service understand their ethical obligations, ensure transparency through rigorous public reporting disclosures, and providing accountability through enforcement actions to address ethical misconduct.
However, a very troubling trend has emerged within this very important ethical watchdog. All too often, we see members of the commission leaving the service of the commission to instead work for the Executive Chamber or take other high level jobs within one of the state agencies they oversaw.
The appearance of impropriety and the opportunity for corruption are far too high when the very people, who are supposed to be investigating state ethical matters, are simultaneously negotiating their own employment contracts with the officials and public servants that it oversees.
Prior legislative history
S7471 of 2015/16: Referred to Finance
Fiscal implications
No cost to the state.
Effective date
This act shall take effect the sixtieth day after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.