What's happening
This bill prohibits anyone who is or has ever been a foreign agent from holding public office or political party positions in New York.
Why it matters
Expands Disqualification Criteria. The bill introduces a new, broad category of disqualification for holding public office or political party positions, targeting anyone who is or has ever been a "foreign agent"—not just those currently acting in that capacity.
Lifetime Ban, Not Just During Service. By applying to individuals who have "ever been" foreign agents, the legislation imposes a permanent ban, which could affect people who may have long ago served in such a role, regardless of subsequent citizenship status, intent, or rehabilitation.
Broad Definition of ‘Foreign Agent’. The definition encompasses anyone acting at the order, request, or under the direction or control of foreign governments, organizations, or individuals, or those controlled or "subsidized in major part" by them, potentially sweeping in a wide range of activities and associations.
Raises Implementation and Due Process Questions. Determining who qualifies as a "foreign agent" under this definition could be complex, raising concerns about verification processes, potential for political misuse, retroactive application, and challenges related to civil rights or due process for those affected.
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Headline styles
Ban Foreign Agents from Office
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental operations
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 Foreign Agents from Office
In Senate Committee · Investigations And Government Operations · Sponsor Luis R. Sepúlveda
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7465
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 6, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. RAMOS -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the public officers law and the election law, in relation to prohibiting foreign agents from holding public office and political party positions
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 3 of the public officers law is amended by adding a new subdivision 1-b to read as follows:
1-b. No person shall be capable of holding a civil office who shall be or who has ever been a foreign agent. For the purposes of this subdivision, the term "foreign agent" means a person who acts at the order, request, or under the direction or control of a foreign government, organization or person outside of the United States or persons who are controlled or subsidized in major part by a foreign government, organization or person outside of the United States.
§ 2. The election law is amended by adding a new section 2-126 to read as follows:
§ 2-126. Party positions; prohibited persons. No person who is or has ever been a foreign agent shall hold a party position. For the purposes of this section, the term "foreign agent" means a person who acts at the order, request, or under the direction or control of a foreign government, organization or person outside of the United States or persons who are controlled or subsidized in major part by a foreign government, organization or person outside of the United States.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11281-02-9
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.