November 30, 2020 •
New York Proposed Lobbying Regulations Published and Adopted
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) published the second draft of proposed revisions to state lobbying regulations. JCOPE adopted the revisions on an emergency basis and submitted Notices of Emergency Adoption for each. The revisions will be effective January […]
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) published the second draft of proposed revisions to state lobbying regulations.
JCOPE adopted the revisions on an emergency basis and submitted Notices of Emergency Adoption for each.
The revisions will be effective January 1, 2021; cover lobbying activity in the 2021-22 biennial lobbying period; and be applicable to registrations, bi-monthly reports due March 15, 2021, and client semi-annual reports due July 15, 2021.
Key revisions include changes to the definition of designated lobbyist, direct lobbying activities by volunteers, grassroots lobbying, coalitions, and prohibitions relating to the receipt of stock options as compensation.
Revisions to the source of funding regulations address segregated funds for out-of-state activities and reporting of anonymous contributions.
JCOPE is requesting comments on the revised regulations as soon as possible.
The 45-day comment period runs until December 28, 2020.
November 9, 2020 •
NY Mayor de Blasio Announces Special Election for Council District 24
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a special election to be held on February 2, 2021 for City Council District 24. The seat is vacant after Councilman Rory Lancman was appointed by Gov. Cuomo as Special Counsel for Ratepayer Protection at […]
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a special election to be held on February 2, 2021 for City Council District 24.
The seat is vacant after Councilman Rory Lancman was appointed by Gov. Cuomo as Special Counsel for Ratepayer Protection at the Department of Public Service.
October 8, 2020 •
Mayor de Blasio Announces Special Election for City Council
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a special election to be held on December 22 for City Council District 12. The seat is vacant after the expulsion of Bronx Councilman Andy King for accusations of sexual harassment, misuse […]
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a special election to be held on December 22 for City Council District 12.
The seat is vacant after the expulsion of Bronx Councilman Andy King for accusations of sexual harassment, misuse of city resources, and other ethics violations.
The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of King’s term through 2021.
October 1, 2020 •
New York JCOPE Issues Advisory Opinion on Third Party Gifts
On October 1, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) announced the final draft of Advisory Opinion 20-02, providing guidance to identify the permissibility of a gift to a third party at the direction of or on behalf of a […]
On October 1, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) announced the final draft of Advisory Opinion 20-02, providing guidance to identify the permissibility of a gift to a third party at the direction of or on behalf of a public official.
Statutes and regulations presumptively prohibit a gift to a public official from an interested source or gifts to a third party solicited by a public official or an intermediary.
Advisory Opinion 20-02 allows the presumption of impermissibility to be overcome by taking into account specific situations including: the nature or purpose of the gift; nature of the donor’s pending business with the official; and prior history of gifts to the cause or third-party organization.
JCOPE will determine whether a gift violates the law or overcomes the presumption on a case-by-case basis.
May 20, 2020 •
Federal Court Upholds Reinstated NY Presidential Primary Date
On May 19, The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld the Southern District Court of New York’s decision to reinstate New York’s uncontested presidential primary on June 23. The presidential primary was previously canceled by the […]
On May 19, The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld the Southern District Court of New York’s decision to reinstate New York’s uncontested presidential primary on June 23.
The presidential primary was previously canceled by the New York Board of Elections after Sen. Bernie Sanders announced the end of his presidential campaign.
After the ruling, commissioners for the Board of Elections stated New York would not appeal the decision of the Second Circuit.
May 6, 2020 •
New York District Judge Orders Presidential Primary to be held in June
On May 5, United States District Court Judge Analisa Torres for the Southern District of New York ruled the New York Board of Elections must hold a presidential primary and include previously qualified candidates on the ballot, including Sen. Bernie […]
On May 5, United States District Court Judge Analisa Torres for the Southern District of New York ruled the New York Board of Elections must hold a presidential primary and include previously qualified candidates on the ballot, including Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Gov. Cuomo previously postponed the presidential primary from April 28 to June 23 due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The Board of Elections later voted to cancel the presidential primary.
However, the board still scheduled a congressional special election and local primaries for June 23.
The court’s ruling found the cancellation of the presidential primary to be unconstitutional.
Additionally, the cancellation had violated candidates of their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
The preliminary injunction restores all 10 presidential candidates and their respective slates of delegate candidates to the New York presidential primary ballot and requires that the primary election be held on June 23.
April 28, 2020 •
New York JCOPE Introduces New Lobbying Application Functionality
The New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics introduced a new feature on the state Lobbying Application. Their aim is to minimize the risk of duplicate profiles and improve functionality. Additionally, this feature allows creating or claiming an organization profile […]
The New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics introduced a new feature on the state Lobbying Application.
Their aim is to minimize the risk of duplicate profiles and improve functionality.
Additionally, this feature allows creating or claiming an organization profile (lobbyist, client, public corporation, or coalition).
In turn, this allows information to prepopulate a client’s semiannual report, provide more transparency, increase reliability, and reduce filing delays.
JCOPE also announced the mechanism to assign an individual as a Chief Administrative Officer and Delegated Administrator has changed.
To authorize an individual for either of these specific roles, the individual’s user identification number must be provided.
The ability to assign an individual as the CAO or the DA merely by entering their first and last name in a search field has been eliminated.
Any questions about navigating the Lobbying Application may be directed to the JCOPE Lobbying Helpdesk at (518) 474-3973 or by emailing helpdesk@jcope.ny.gov.
April 28, 2020 •
New York Board of Elections Cancels Presidential Primary
Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the Board of Elections voted to cancel the presidential primary on June 23. The presidential primary was previously rescheduled from April 28 to June 23 due to the state of emergency. The decision to cancel […]
Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the Board of Elections voted to cancel the presidential primary on June 23.
The presidential primary was previously rescheduled from April 28 to June 23 due to the state of emergency.
The decision to cancel the presidential primary does not affect the congressional special election, state, and local primaries scheduled for June 23.
April 27, 2020 •
New York Governor Reschedules June Special Elections
On April 24, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.23 to reschedule state assembly and senate special elections. The elections now move from June 23 to November 3 due to the ongoing COVID-19 state of emergency. Additionally rescheduled to the […]
On April 24, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.23 to reschedule state assembly and senate special elections.
The elections now move from June 23 to November 3 due to the ongoing COVID-19 state of emergency.
Additionally rescheduled to the same day as the general election, are special elections for the 50th Senate District and the 12th, 31st, and 136th Assembly Districts.
The executive order also reschedules a special election for Queens Borough President from June 23 to November 3.
April 8, 2020 •
New York Suffolk County Clerk Announces Procedures for Periodic Reports
Due to the current situation surrounding COVID-19, the Suffolk County Clerk of the Legislature announced under Executive Order 202.7, lobbyists preparing periodic reports for April 15 may have their report notarized remotely. Additionally, the reports may be sent in digitally […]
Due to the current situation surrounding COVID-19, the Suffolk County Clerk of the Legislature announced under Executive Order 202.7, lobbyists preparing periodic reports for April 15 may have their report notarized remotely.
Additionally, the reports may be sent in digitally to meet the deadline.
If a lobbyist is unable to have their report notarized by April 15, the clerk’s office is requiring the report be submitted by the deadline.
Additionally, a notarized copy must be provided following their submission.
April 6, 2020 •
New York Lawmakers Enact State Budget With Campaign Finance Reform Provisions
On April 3, Gov. Cuomo and lawmakers passed legislation to enact the state budget for the 2021 fiscal year. The enacted legislation includes provisions for campaign finance reform and nonprofit disclosures. Effective January 1, 2021, Senate Bill 7505 requires charitable […]
On April 3, Gov. Cuomo and lawmakers passed legislation to enact the state budget for the 2021 fiscal year.
The enacted legislation includes provisions for campaign finance reform and nonprofit disclosures.
Effective January 1, 2021, Senate Bill 7505 requires charitable organizations to file annual financial reports and funding disclosures with the Department of State to be published on their website for public transparency.
The governor also signed Senate Bill 7508 establishing a statewide public campaign financing system.
Senate Bill 7508 lowers contribution limits a candidate may accept while participating in the public funding system.
Under Senate Bill 7508, a candidate for statewide office may accept a contribution of $18,000 dollars in the aggregate.
The bill also sets contribution limits for state senators and assembly members to $10,000 and $6,000, respectively.
Contribution limits are divided equally among the primary and general elections in an election cycle.
Senate Bill 7508 takes effect on November 9, 2022, and applies to participants in the primary and general elections to be held in 2024.
March 31, 2020 •
New York Nassau County Attorney Announces Extension For Lobbyist Report
The Office of the County Attorney announced emergency regulations extending the deadline for filing first quarter lobbyist reports. This comes in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and current state of emergency. The deadline for lobbyist reports covering activity for the […]
The Office of the County Attorney announced emergency regulations extending the deadline for filing first quarter lobbyist reports.
This comes in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and current state of emergency.
The deadline for lobbyist reports covering activity for the period of January 1 to March 31 is extended until May 15.
March 31, 2020 •
New York JCOPE Suspends Lobbying Random Audit Program
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics announced the suspension of the Lobbying Random Audit Program to avoid unnecessary administrative burden during the COVID-19 emergency. Effective immediately, no new audits will be initiated by JCOPE until further notice. Complying with ongoing […]
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics announced the suspension of the Lobbying Random Audit Program to avoid unnecessary administrative burden during the COVID-19 emergency.
Effective immediately, no new audits will be initiated by JCOPE until further notice.
Complying with ongoing audits is voluntary until the commission resumes the audit program.
Any questions regarding this policy should be emailed to helpdesk@jcope.ny.gov, with ‘Audit’ in the subject line.
March 30, 2020 •
New York JCOPE Announces Extension And Temporary Procedures
Due to the COVID-19 emergency, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics announced a deadline extension for all lobbying filings until April 15. The extension includes bimonthly reports covering activity for the reporting period of January to February 2020. JCOPE also […]
Due to the COVID-19 emergency, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics announced a deadline extension for all lobbying filings until April 15.
The extension includes bimonthly reports covering activity for the reporting period of January to February 2020.
JCOPE also announced temporary procedures regarding hand delivery of report filings and checks.
Until further notice, visitors are not allowed into the JCOPE offices. Beginning April 15, JCOPE will accept hand delivery of lobbying filings.
However, the commission is not accepting hand delivery of checks until further notice.
Instead, any checks should be submitted either by mail or by submitting the filing through the online Lobbying Application using a credit card to pay the submission fee.
If neither option is possible, JCOPE asks filers to hold all checks for hand delivery until further notice.
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