BILL NUMBER: S3574A
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public officers law and the executive law, in
relation to posting financial disclosure filings for candidates for
statewide office or candidates for a member of the legislature
 
PURPOSE:
This bill requires the website posting of financial disclosure filings
for candidates for state elected office who are required to make such
filings given that such filings, are already public documents, but
unhelpfully are not made easily accessible.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: amends paragraph (k) of subdivision 2 of section 73-a of the
public officers law, by adding candidates for statewide office or candi-
dates for a member of the legislature to the list of individuals subject
to the financial disclosure statement reporting requirements.
Section 2: amends paragraph (b) of subdivision 13 of section 94 of the
executive law, to require the posting of candidate forms on the Commis-
sion for Ethics and Lobbying in Government's (COELIG) website.
Section 3: Sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
It is important for voters to know about the conflicts and potential
conflicts of interest of candidates running for office. Elected state-
wide office holders and members of the Legislature are already required
to submit financial disclosure filings as public documents and they are
posted publicly on the JCOPE website. However, for candidates for these
offices, while they must submit financial disclosures, in order for the
public to access them, a member of the public has to file-a Freedom of
Information Law request. This bill furthers democratic accountability,
and also begins to recognize that with the accelerated primary schedule,
it is important for public disclosure to occur promptly so that voters
can be informed in advance of the elections.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Senate
2021-2022: S7439A, Advanced to Third Reading
2021-2022: S7439A, COMMITTED TO RULES
Assembly
2021-2022: A5950, Referred to Governmental Operations
2021-2022: A5950, Amend and recommit to governmental operations
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect January first next succeeding the date on
which it shall become law.

Statutes affected:
S3574: 73-a public officers law, 73-a(2) public officers law, 94 executive law, 94(13) executive law
S3574A: 73-a public officers law, 73-a(2) public officers law, 94 executive law, 94(13) executive law