BILL NUMBER: S571
SPONSOR: KAVANAGH
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the legislative law, in relation to restrictions on
political contributions from lobbyists
 
PURPOSE:
The bill limits the dollar amount of political contributions that lobby-
ists can give to members of the legislature and that members can receive
from lobbyists, and when the contributions can be given.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
The bill adds new sections 1-u and 1-v to the legislative law.
Section 1-u prohibits lobbyists from giving more than $250 per candidate
per election and restricts contributions to July 1st through December
31st.
Section 1-v places the same limits on how much and when public officials
can accept campaign contributions from lobbyists.
Section 2 provides for the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill targets the large number of fundraising events held in and
around the capitol attended almost exclusively by lobbyists and their
clients whose interests are before the legislature. In order to restore
public trust in government, this legislation would prohibit lobbyists
from soliciting or making contributions and public officials from
accepting contributions from lobbyists during session. During the off
session, lobbyists would only be able to contribute $250.00 per candi-
date per election.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2022: S2810 (Kavanagh) - ETHICS AND INTERNAL GOVERNANCE
2020: S2321 (Kavanagh) - ETHICS AND INTERNAL GOVERNANCE
2018: S7106 (Kavanagh) - FINANCE
2016: S156 (Squadron) /A5692 (Kavanagh) - INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT
OPERATIONS/governmental operations
2014: S199 (Squadron) /A63 (Kavanagh) - FINANCE/governmental operations
2012: S37 (Squadron) / A5869 (Kavanagh) - FINANCE/governmental oper-
ations
2010: S4546 (Squadron) /A477 (Kavanagh) - FINANCE/governmental oper-
ations
2008: A.2913 (Kavanagh) - Governmental Operations
2007: A.2913 (Kavanagh) - Governmental Operations
2007: A.2913 (Grannis) - Governmental Operations
2006: A.1843A (Grannis) - Governmental Operations
2005: A.1843 (Grannis) - Governmental Operations
2004: A.6694 (Grannis) - Governmental Operations
2003: A.6694 (Grannis) - Governmental Operations
2002: A.1636 (Grannis) - Governmental Operations
2001: A.1636 (Grannis) - Governmental Operations
2000: A.9710 (Grannis) - Governmental Operations
 
FISCAL IMPACT ON THE STATE:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.