As part of the 2015-2016 state budget, the New York State Assembly passed a bill vastly expanding the application of the state’s legislative law. Senate Bill 2006-B amends the definition of municipality to include all jurisdictional subdivisions of the state with a population of more than 5,000, including school districts.

Jurisdictional subdivisions meeting this population threshold are now encompassed by lobbyist registration and reporting at the state level. As a result, communications with local officials once exempt from consideration as lobbying will now require disclosure to the Joint Commission on Public Ethics.

This provision of law takes effect immediately upon the governor’s formal approval, which is expected in the coming days.