Joint Commission on Public Ethics Approves Regulations & Guidelines for Historic New Public Disclosures

The New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics today voted to approve draft regulations and guidelines implementing historic new public disclosures for lobbyists and their clients under the State's Lobbying Act.

The Commission approved proposed regulations to implement the historic requirement that certain lobbying clients and lobbyists disclose individual funding sources behind their lobbying campaigns. The Commission also approved adopting guidelines instructing lobbyists and their clients how to comply with the new requirement that they disclose "reportable business relationships" they may have with State officials and employees.

Both new requirements were key pieces to the State's Public Integrity Reform Act of 2011.

Commission Chair Janet DiFiore said, "These new disclosures are among the most significant reforms to the Lobbying Act since its inception and unprecedented across the 50 states. They serve to better inform New Yorkers about the forces at work trying to influence government’s decision-making processes."

Commission Executive Director Ellen Biben said, "We now have practical proposed regulations and guidelines that provide for meaningful public disclosure. The new reporting requirements coupled with our proposed guidelines and regulations reaffirm New York’s role as a leader in promoting lobbying and government transparency."

The Commission's proposed regulations and guidelines come after a public comment period the Commission opened in May, a public hearing at which stakeholders and open government advocates testified before Commission members in June, extensive analysis and deliberation by staff attorneys and Commission members, and finally, discussion at today's public meeting of the Commission.

The proposed "source of funding" regulations will now be submitted through the formal rule promulgating process under the State Administrative Procedure Act, which includes a further public comment period. The Commission is currently also accepting additional public comments on the proposed guidelines through email at [email protected], or by standard mail addressed to the Joint Commission on Public Ethics, 540 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207.

The Commission today also unveiled its new web site which will go live at end of business today at jcope.ny.gov.