NY A11588

Establishes a State Board of Elections Enforcement Unit headed by an Enforcement Counsel with a Deputy Enforcement Counsel from a different major political party, with four-year terms and removal only for cause.

Grants the Enforcement Counsel sole authority to investigate alleged violations of campaign finance law (Article Fourteen) on their own initiative or upon complaint, with final determinations made by the State Board of Elections at public meetings.

Requires candidates and political committees raising or spending more than $1,000 annually to file campaign finance statements electronically with the State Board of Elections, with county and city boards accessing these filings through the state board's website.

Establishes new reporting requirements for independent expenditures costing more than $1,000, including identification of funders, detailed expense descriptions, and disclosure of materials used, with electronic filing to the State Board of Elections.

Increases civil penalties for filing violations from $500 to $1,000 maximum, and creates new penalties of up to $1,000 or the cost of communication (whichever is greater) for falsely identifying political communications or independent expenditures.