What's happening
This bill bans corporations, LLCs, and partnerships from making political contributions or loans to candidates or committees, with certain exceptions.
Why it matters
Significantly restricts the influence of corporate money in New York elections. by fully banning direct political contributions, loans, or guarantees from corporations, LLCs, and partnerships to candidates or committees (with rare exceptions). This aims to reduce potential conflicts of interest and the perception of “pay to play” politics.
Closes loopholes in prior law. that allowed these organizations to contribute up to $5,000 per year and make loans under certain conditions. By eliminating the dollar limit and banning most contributions outright, it seeks to further insulate elections from business interests.
Imposes stricter rules on campaign loans. by requiring that any loan made to a candidate or committee (except for certain official party committees) must be repaid by the next election; otherwise, it is reclassified as a contribution, tightening financial accountability and transparency.
Could shift campaign fundraising dynamics. , pushing candidates to rely more on individual donors and grassroots support, potentially changing who has access and influence in the political process.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Corporate Political Donations
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Assembly Member · Assembly District 44
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to election law
- Referred to election law
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.
Ban Corporate Political Donations
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor Jen Metzger
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5488
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 12, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. CARROLL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to political contributions by certain organizations
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 14-116 of the election law, as amended by chapter 4 of the laws of 2019, is amended to read as follows:
2. a. Notwithstanding [the provisions of subdivision one of this section, any corporation or an organization financially supported in whole or in part, by such corporation, any limited liability company or other corporate entity may make expenditures, including contributions, not otherwise prohibited by law, for political purposes, in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars in the aggregate in any calendar year; provided that no public utility shall use revenues received from the rendition of public service within the state for contributions for political purposes unless such cost is charged to the shareholders of such a public service corporation.] any other provision of law to the contrary, no contribution, loan, loan guarantee or other security for such a loan from any corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership or partnership, other than in the regular course of the lender's business, may be accepted by a candidate or political committee, other than a corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership or partnership that is a political committee, for all nominations to any office or election to any office.
b. A loan made to a candidate or political committee, other than a constituted committee, by any person, firm or association shall be repaid by the date of the primary, special or general election, as the case may be, or such loan shall be considered a contribution by such person, firm or association including any person endorsing, cosigning, guaranteeing, collateralizing or other providing security for the loan.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06186-02-9
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.