What's happening
This bill requires candidates for certain New York offices to post large campaign contributions and donor information on their campaign websites.
Why it matters
Increases campaign finance transparency. By requiring large contributions (over $250) and donor identities to be listed on campaign websites, voters can more easily see who is financially supporting candidates, potentially revealing special interests or influential backers.
Empowers voters with timely information. The 30-day posting requirement ensures that the public gains access to major donor information well before elections are held, giving voters more context for evaluating candidates and their potential influences.
Creates accountability with legal consequences. Making willful non-compliance a class A misdemeanor means candidates (or their campaigns) face real penalties for hiding or delaying disclosure, which could deter attempts to obscure funding sources.
Extends to high-level state offices and legislators. This law applies not just to statewide offices like governor, comptroller, and attorney general, but also to every state legislative candidate, broadening its impact across the entire state government.
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Who cares
Candidates for governor, comptroller, attorney general, Senate and Assembly
They would be responsible for posting a direct link to their Board of Elections contribution records on their campaign homepage and listing every contribution over $250 within 30 days of receipt.
Campaign donors giving more than $250
Their identities and exact contribution amounts would have to appear on the candidate’s campaign homepage.
Campaign staff and website managers
They would need to manage the required postings, and anyone who knowingly and willfully violates the requirements would face a class A misdemeanor.
Voters and campaign-finance watchdogs
They would gain homepage access to donor information and links to candidates’ Board of Elections contribution records.
Headline styles
Disclose Campaign Donations Online
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to elections
- Referred to elections
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3095
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 4, 2019
Introduced by Sen. ADDABBO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Elections
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to requiring candidates for certain elected offices to post certain information regarding contributions on such candidate's campaign website
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The election law is amended by adding a new section 14-121 to read as follows:
§ 14-121. Contributions to be posted on campaign websites. 1. Any candidate for elected office for the office of the governor, the comptroller, the attorney general or any legislative district of the senate or assembly shall:
a. post on the homepage of his or her campaign website a direct link to the board of elections website to such candidate's campaign contributions.
b. post on the homepage of his or her campaign website all contributions over two hundred fifty dollars within thirty days of receipt; including the exact amount of each contribution and the identity of the donor.
2. Such candidate shall be responsible for ensuring that the information as required in paragraphs a and b of subdivision one of this section is posted.
3. Any person who shall knowingly and willfully violate any provision of this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06797-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to requiring candidates for certain elected offices to post certain information regarding contributions on such candidate's campaign website
Purpose
To provide transparency to voters about the source of the candidate's campaign funding.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. The election law is amended by adding a new section 14-121 to require that candidates for the elective office of the governor, the comptroller, the attorney general or any legislative district of the senate and assembly post on the homepage of their campaign website a direct link to the board of elections website that lists such candi- date's campaign contributions of over $250, including the exact amount of each contribution and the identity of the donor. Any candidate who knowingly and willfully violate this provision will be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
Justification
This legislation seeks to require basic transparency to voters in regard to which individuals, entities or organizations are funding their candi- dates for elective office. Candidates for statewide offices should be required to disclose their campaign contributors, which would provide important information to potential voters and / or supporters.
Legislative history
2017: S. 3679 - Referred to Senate Elections Committee. 2018: S. 3679 - Referred to Senate Elections Committee.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.