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NY A04700
Bill
Status
2/4/2025
Primary Sponsor
Joe Sempolinski
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AI Summary
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Creates the Department of Oversight and Investigation headed by a commissioner appointed to a 6-year term by a 12-member Board of Public Integrity, with board members appointed by legislative leaders and the governor
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Consolidates and abolishes three existing ethics bodies: the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government, the Office of the State Inspector General, and the Temporary State Commission of Investigation, transferring all functions to the new department
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Grants the department jurisdiction over executive branch agencies, statewide elected officials, legislators, legislative employees, state officers, lobbyists, clients of lobbyists, and political party chairs for ethics enforcement, financial disclosure oversight, and corruption investigations
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Establishes civil penalties up to $40,000 for knowing violations of ethics and financial disclosure requirements, plus the value of any improperly received benefits, with certain violations classified as class A misdemeanors
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Requires the department to complete a comprehensive review of all existing ethics regulations and advisory opinions and report to the governor and legislature by December 31, 2026, with proposed changes
Legislative Description
Establishes the department of oversight and investigation, providing for its powers, duties and functions (Part A); relates to repealing provisions relating to the commission on ethics and lobbying in government; relates to repealing provisions relating to the office of the state inspector general (Part B); provides for the transfer of the functions, powers and duties of the commission on ethics and lobbying in government, the office of the state inspector general and the former temporary state commission of investigation to the department of oversight and investigation (Part C); relates to the commission on ethics and lobbying; relates to membership on the franchise oversight board; relates to the state inspector general; relates to the former temporary state commission of investigation; relates to the commission on ethics and lobbying in government and the legislative ethics commission; relates to the office of the state inspector general; creates a temporary state commission of investigation (Part D).
Last Action
referred to governmental operations
1/7/2026