Filing Options and Forms Overview
How do I obtain forms to register and report?
Electronic Filing: The Commission encourages all Filers to register and report online. For 2019 filings and later, use the Lobbying Application ("LA") to register and submit filings. For 2018 and prior year filings, use the Legacy online filing system. Electronic filing has several advantages not available to paper Filers, as described below.
Advantages to filing online:
- 24-hour access.
- Information will pre-populate to certain sections of your filings for you.
- Registration and Client Semi-Annual filing fees can be securely paid by credit card.
- Filing deadlines are extended until midnight, saving a rushed trip to the JCOPE office.
- Start and finish your Filings at your convenience with the “save” function.
- Eliminate time-consuming entry of bill numbers by copying/pasting into your Filing.
- Automatically review Filings for missing information before you submit.
- Access to all your Filings and their processing statuses.
Paper/PDF Filing: If you are unable to file electronically, but have access to the Internet, you can download and print a paper/PDF version of any required forms from the “ Paper Forms” section of this page.
Forms required to be filed and who is responsible for filing them:
Name of Form |
Filed By |
Filing Fee |
---|---|---|
Lobbyist Statement of Registration |
Lobbyists |
If the $5,000 threshold is expected to be exceeded for a Client - $200 Registration fee per Client or $100 prorated for the registering in the second half of a biennial period. If $5,000 threshold is not expected to be exceeded for the Client, no fee is required. |
Lobbyist Bi-monthly Report |
Lobbyists who are required to file a Lobbyist Statement of Registration, and whose contract is in effect at any point during the Bi-monthly reporting period. |
No fee required. |
Client Semi-Annual Report |
Clients |
$50 |
Lobbyist Reportable Business Relationship Form |
Lobbyists and Public Corporations |
No fee required. The Lobbyist Reportable Business Relationship Form is considered a part of the Lobbyist's Statement of Registration. |
Client Reportable Business Relationship Form |
No fee required. The Client Reportable Business Relationship Form is considered a part of the Client’s Semi-Annual Report. |
|
Disbursement of Public Monies |
Registered Lobbyists, including Public Corporations, who meet certain additional filing requirements. |
No fee required. |
Public Corporation Statement of Registration |
Public Corporations |
No fee required. |
Public Corporation Bi-monthly Report |
Public Corporations who are required to file a Lobbyist Statement of Registration, and whose contract is in effect during the Bi-monthly reporting period. |
No fee required. |
Guide to Lobbying Reporting
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JCOPE Guide to Lobbying Reporting - 2018 and Prior Years ONLY
A comprehensive guide to the reporting obligations outlined in Legislative Law Article 1-A also known as the Lobbying Act. Detailed information is provided for Filers and subject matter areas that may require additional disclosures under the Lobbying Act. Refer to this Guide for 2018 Filings and prior years.
Download
Retention Requirements and Penalties
Retention Requirements for Filings
All Lobbying Act reports and supporting documents should be retained for a period of three years.
Penalties for Non-Filers
Failure to timely file a complete and accurate Statement or Report may subject the Filer to a civil penalty not to exceed the greater of $25,000 or three times the amount the person failed to report properly. In addition, a Filer may be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for a first-time failure and a Class E felony for any subsequent failures in the five years ensuing.
Please note: Timely reports are those that are received by the Commission's office on or before the due date. If a report is due on a weekend or a State holiday, the report must be received in the Commission's office on the first business day following the weekend or State holiday. The Commission does not consider the postmarked date as the date of receipt for lobbying filings.
Late Filings
Late Filing Fee Schedule
Timely reports are those that are received by the Commission's office on or before the due date. If a report is due on a weekend or a State holiday, the report must be received in the Commission's office on the first business day following the weekend or State holiday. The Commission does not consider the postmarked date as the date of receipt for lobbying filings.
First-time Filers may be charged a late filing fee of no more than $10 per day for each day a required Filing is late. All others may be charged a late filing fee of up to $25 per day for each day the required Filing is late. To complete a paper or online waiver form, visit the "Application for Waiver of Late Filing Fee" section of the website.
- NOTE: Applications for Waiver of Late Filing Fees should not be filed until receipt of a late fee notice from the Commission. Any applications filed prior to a late fee assessment will be disregarded. Waiver Applications cannot be used for civil penalty fines.
Filing Due Dates and Late Fee Filing Schedule
2018 and Prior Year Paper Forms
Paper/PDF forms are also available by calling the Commission's office at (518) 408-3976 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on regular state business days. The Commission requires that forms with original signatures be submitted; photocopies and faxes will not be accepted. Consequently, it is important that you allow sufficient time to obtain and submit original forms prior to the filing due dates.
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Lobbyist Statement of Registration Form (2018)
Use this writable PDF form for all 2018 and prior year filings.
Download
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Lobbyist Bi-monthly Report Form (2018)
Use this writable PDF form for all 2018 and prior year filings.
Download
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Lobbyist Business Relationship Form (2018)
Use this writable PDF form for all 2018 and prior year filings.
Download
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Lobbyist Disbursement of Public Monies Bi-monthly Form (2018)
Use this writable PDF form for all 2018 and prior year filings.
Download
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Source of Funding Pre-formatted Excel Spreadsheet
Use this form for all 2018 and prior year filings.
Download
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Public Corporation Statement of Registration Form
Use this form for all 2018 and prior year filings.
Download
Password Reset Letters for 2018 and prior Filings
Password Reset Sample Letters
DISCLAIMER
The following sample letters, which are only applicable for filings from 2018 and prior years, are provided and intended to aid the lobbying community. They may not cover every possible situation that may occur. If additional assistance is required, Commission staff should be contacted. The content of all correspondence is the responsibility of the sender and is subject to review and final approval by the NYS Joint Commission on Public Ethics.
Letters may be mailed to the following address:
NYS Joint Commission on Public Ethics
540 Broadway
Albany, New York 12207
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Password Reset Sample Letter - Online filer unable to retrieve User ID and password
To request a password reset for the Legacy JCOPE Online Filing System.
Download
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Password Reset Sample Letter - Online filer forgets answers to secret questions
To request a password reset for the JCOPE Online Filing System.
Download
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Password Reset Sample Letter - Original responsible person listed on the profile has left the company
To request a password reset for the JCOPE Online Filing System.
Download
Contact Lobbying Filings Specialist
For technical assistance, or help with Registrations, Lobbyist Bi-Monthly reports, Client Semi-Annual reports, and other lobbying-related disclosure forms, the Lobbying line is available from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, by contacting the main Commission phone number.
Contact us by phone:
Contact us by email:
Mailing Address:
New York State
Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government
540 Broadway
Albany, New York 12207