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Assembly Actions -
Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE |
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|---|---|
| Jan 03, 2018 |
referred to finance |
| Feb 24, 2017 |
referred to finance |
Senate Bill S4726
2017-2018 Legislative Session
Requires legislators and candidates for member of the legislature to provide a link to their financial disclosure statements on their official state and campaign websites
download bill text pdfSponsored By
(D, WF) 46th Senate District
Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee
- Introduced
-
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
-
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
-
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- Delivered to Governor
- Signed By Governor
Actions
2017-S4726 (ACTIVE) - Details
2017-S4726 (ACTIVE) - Summary
Requires legislators and candidates for members of the legislature to provide a link to their financial disclosure statements on their official state and campaign websites which shall direct website visitors to current and past financial disclosure forms that the legislator has submitted.
2017-S4726 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER: S4726
TITLE OF BILL : An act to amend the public officers law, in relation
to requiring legislators and candidates for member of the legislature
to provide a link to their financial disclosure statements on their
official state and campaign websites
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :
The purpose of this legislation is to increase transparency and to
educate the public about who represents them by requiring members of
the legislature and candidates for such elected office to post their
financial disclosure statements in visible domains for constituents
and the electorate to easily access them.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :
Section 1 of the bill amends Section 73-a (2) of the Public Officers
Law by adding new subparagraphs (ii) and (iii), which would require
every member of the legislature and legislative candidate who maintain
any website for service in their official state or campaign capacities
to post their annual financial disclosure statements on such websites.
Section 2 of the bill establishes the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION :
The Public Integrity Reform Act of 2011 required New York State government officials and State legislative candidates to file financial disclosure statements to the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) on an annual basis. The financial disclosure statements must be submitted to JCOPE by May 15 of each calendar year, where they are thoroughly review by the commission. After the commission approves the statements for public posting, JCOPE is required to post such statements on their website by June 30 of each calendar year. The intent of the act was to comprehensively reform both the requirements and enforcement of public ethics in the state. The intent of the act is laudable for its efforts to restore public confidence in our government by requiring the disclosure of outside income sources of elected officials. However, there appears to be a gap between the posting of statements on JCOPE's website and the accessibility for the public to find such statements. This legislation seeks to remedy the issue by requiring State legislators and State legislative candidates to post their annual financial disclosure forms, which have already been reviewed and approved by JCOPE for public posting, on their official state and campaign websites. It is vital to increase the transparency of our government and to educate constituents and the electorate about who represents them. Access to the outside income of our elected officials and candidates for such offices will promote the much-needed public trust in this state. PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY : New bill. FISCAL IMPLICATIONS : To be determined. EFFECTIVE DATE : This act shall take effect immediately.
2017-S4726 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4726
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
February 24, 2017
___________
Introduced by Sen. BRESLIN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT to amend the public officers law, in relation to requiring legis-
lators and candidates for member of the legislature to provide a link
to their financial disclosure statements on their official state and
campaign websites
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The opening paragraph of paragraph (k) of subdivision 2 of
section 73-a of the public officers law is designated subparagraph (i)
and two new subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) are added to read as follows:
(II) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, ALL
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE WHO MAINTAIN ANY STATE WEBSITE FOR SERVICE IN
THEIR OFFICIAL CAPACITY SHALL ESTABLISH A CLEARLY VISIBLE LINK ENTITLED
"MY FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS" ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THEIR WEBSITE
WHICH SHALL DIRECT WEBSITE VISITORS TO CURRENT AND PAST FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE FORMS THAT THE LEGISLATOR HAS SUBMITTED TO THE JOINT COMMIS-
SION ON PUBLIC ETHICS.
(III) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY,
EVERY CANDIDATE FOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE WHO MAINTAINS ANY WEBSITE
FOR SERVICE IN THEIR OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN CAPACITY SHALL ESTABLISH A CLEAR-
LY VISIBLE LINK ENTITLED "MY FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS" ON THE
FRONT PAGE OF THEIR CAMPAIGN WEBSITE WHICH SHALL DIRECT VISITORS TO
CURRENT AND PAST FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FORMS THAT THE CANDIDATE HAS
SUBMITTED TO THE JOINT COMMISSION ON PUBLIC ETHICS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH
PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
§ 2. The opening paragraph of paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of
section 73-a of the public officers law, as amended by section 5 of part
A of chapter 399 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
Every statewide elected official, state officer or employee, member of
the legislature, legislative employee and political party chairman and
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09678-03-7
S. 4726 2
every candidate for statewide elected office or for member of the legis-
lature shall file an annual statement of financial disclosure containing
the information and in the form set forth in subdivision three of this
section. EVERY MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE AND CANDIDATE FOR MEMBER OF THE
LEGISLATURE MUST FILE THEIR ANNUAL STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
ELECTRONICALLY IN AN ELECTRONIC, READABLE, SEARCHABLE AND DOWNLOADABLE
FORMAT. On or before the fifteenth day of May with respect to the
preceding calendar year: (1) every member of the legislature, every
candidate for member of the legislature and legislative employee shall
file such statement with the legislative ethics commission which shall
provide such statement along with any requests for exemptions or
deletions to the joint commission on public ethics for filing and
rulings with respect to such requests for exemptions or deletions, on or
before the thirtieth day of June; and (2) all other individuals required
to file such statement shall file it with the joint commission on public
ethics, except that:
§ 3. Subdivision 3 of section 73-a of the public officers law, as
amended by section 5 of part A of chapter 399 of the laws of 2011, para-
graph 8 as amended by section 6 of part K of chapter 286 of the laws of
2016 and paragraph 13 as amended by section 1 of part CC of chapter 56
of the laws of 2015, is amended to read as follows:
3. (A) The annual statement of financial disclosure shall contain the
information and shall be in the form set forth hereinbelow:
ANNUAL STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE - (For calendar year ________)
1. Name ______________________________________________________________
2. (a) Title of Position _____________________________________________
(b) Department, Agency or other Governmental Entity _______________
(c) Address of Present Office _____________________________________
(d) Office Telephone Number _______________________________________
3. (a) Marital Status ______________. If married, please give spouse's
full name including maiden name where applicable.
_____________________________________________________________ .
(b) List the names of all unemancipated children.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Answer each of the following questions completely, with respect to
calendar year _________, unless another period or date is otherwise
specified. If additional space is needed, attach additional pages.
Whenever a "value" or "amount" is required to be reported herein, such
value or amount shall be reported as being within one of the following
Categories in Table I or Table II of this subdivision as called for in
the question: A reporting individual shall indicate the Category by
letter only.
Whenever "income" is required to be reported herein, the term "income"
shall mean the aggregate net income before taxes from the source identi-
fied.
S. 4726 3
The term "calendar year" shall mean the year ending the December 31st
preceding the date of filing of the annual statement.
4. (a) List any office, trusteeship, directorship, partnership, or
position of any nature, whether compensated or not, held by the
reporting individual with any firm, corporation, association, part-
nership, or other organization other than the State of New York.
Include compensated honorary positions; do NOT list membership or
uncompensated honorary positions. If the listed entity was licensed
by any state or local agency, was regulated by any state regulatory
agency or local agency, or, as a regular and significant part of the
business or activity of said entity, did business with, or had
matters other than ministerial matters before, any state or local
agency, list the name of any such agency.
State or
Position Organization Local Agency
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
(b) List any office, trusteeship, directorship, partnership, or position
of any nature, whether compensated or not, held by the spouse or
unemancipated child of the reporting individual, with any firm,
corporation, association, partnership, or other organization other
than the State of New York. Include compensated honorary positions;
do NOT list membership or uncompensated honorary positions. If the
listed entity was licensed by any state or local agency, was regu-
lated by any state regulatory agency or local agency, or, as a regu-
lar and significant part of the business or activity of said entity,
did business with, or had matters other than ministerial matters
before, any state or local agency, list the name of any such agency.
State or
Position Organization Local Agency
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
5. (a) List the name, address and description of any occupation,
employment (other than the employment listed under Item 2 above),
trade, business or profession engaged in by the reporting individ-
ual. If such activity was licensed by any state or local agency, was
regulated by any state regulatory agency or local agency, or, as a
regular and significant part of the business or activity of said
entity, did business with, or had matters other than ministerial
matters before, any state or local agency, list the name of any such
agency.
State or
S. 4726 4
Name & Address Local
Position of Organization Description Agency
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
(b) If the spouse or unemancipated child of the reporting individual was
engaged in any occupation, employment, trade, business or profession
which activity was licensed by any state or local agency, was regu-
lated by any state regulatory agency or local agency, or, as a regu-
lar and significant part of the business or activity of said entity,
did business with, or had matters other than ministerial matters
before, any state or local agency, list the name, address and
description of such occupation, employment, trade, business or
profession and the name of any such agency.
State or
Name & Address Local
Position of Organization Description Agency
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
6. List any interest, in EXCESS of $1,000, held by the reporting indi-
vidual, such individual's spouse or unemancipated child, or partner-
ship of which any such person is a member, or corporation, 10% or
more of the stock of which is owned or controlled by any such
person, whether vested or contingent, in any contract made or
executed by a state or local agency and include the name of the
entity which holds such interest and the relationship of the report-
ing individual or such individual's spouse or such child to such
entity and the interest in such contract. Do NOT include bonds and
notes. Do NOT list any interest in any such contract on which final
payment has been made and all obligations under the contract except
for guarantees and warranties have been performed, provided, howev-
er, that such an interest must be listed if there has been an ongo-
ing dispute during the calendar year for which this statement is
filed with respect to any such guarantees or warranties. Do NOT list
any interest in a contract made or executed by a local agency after
public notice and pursuant to a process for competitive bidding or a
process for competitive requests for proposals.
Entity Relationship Contracting Category
Self, Which Held to Entity State or of
Spouse or Interest in and Interest Local Value of
Child Contract in Contract Agency Contract
(In Table II)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
S. 4726 5
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
7. List any position the reporting individual held as an officer of any
political party or political organization, as a member of any poli-
tical party committee, or as a political party district leader. The
term "party" shall have the same meaning as "party" in the election
law. The term "political organization" means any party or independ-
ent body as defined in the election law or any organization that is
affiliated with or a subsidiary of a party or independent body.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
8. (a) If the reporting individual practices law, is licensed by the
department of state as a real estate broker or agent or practices a
profession licensed by the department of education, or works as a member
or employee of a firm required to register pursuant to section one-e of
the legislative law as a lobbyist, describe the services rendered for
which compensation was paid including a general description of the prin-
cipal subject areas of matters undertaken by such individual and princi-
pal duties performed. Specifically state whether the reporting individ-
ual provides services directly to clients. Additionally, if such an
individual practices with a firm or corporation and is a partner or
shareholder of the firm or corporation, give a general description of
principal subject areas of matters undertaken by such firm or corpo-
ration.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
(b) APPLICABLE ONLY TO NEW CLIENTS OR CUSTOMERS FOR WHOM SERVICES ARE
PROVIDED ON OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWELVE AND BEFORE DECEMBER
THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, OR FOR NEW MATTERS FOR EXISTING
CLIENTS OR CUSTOMERS WITH RESPECT TO THOSE SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED ON
OR AFTER JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWELVE AND BEFORE DECEMBER
THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN:
If the reporting individual personally provides services to any person
or entity, or works as a member or employee of a partnership or corpo-
ration that provides such services (referred to hereinafter as a
"firm"), then identify each client or customer to whom the reporting
individual personally provided services, or who was referred to the firm
by the reporting individual, and from whom the reporting individual or
his or her firm earned fees in excess of $10,000 during the reporting
period for such services rendered in direct connection with:
(i) A contract in an amount totaling $50,000 or more from the state or
any state agency for services, materials, or property;
S. 4726 6
(ii) A grant of $25,000 or more from the state or any state agency
during the reporting period;
(iii) A grant obtained through a legislative initiative during the
reporting period; or
(iv) A case, proceeding, application or other matter that is not a
ministerial matter before a state agency during the reporting period.
For purposes of this question, "referred to the firm" shall mean:
having intentionally and knowingly taken a specific act or series of
acts to intentionally procure for the reporting individual's firm or
knowingly solicit or direct to the reporting individual's firm in whole
or substantial part, a person or entity that becomes a client of that
firm for the purposes of representation for a matter as defined in
subparagraphs (i) through (iv) of this paragraph, as the result of such
procurement, solicitation or direction of the reporting individual. A
reporting individual need not disclose activities performed while
lawfully acting pursuant to paragraphs (c), (d), (e) and (f) of subdivi-
sion seven of section seventy-three of this article.
The disclosure requirement in this question shall not require disclo-
sure of clients or customers receiving medical or dental services,
mental health services, residential real estate brokering services, or
insurance brokering services from the reporting individual or his or her
firm. The reporting individual need not identify any client to whom he
or she or his or her firm provided legal representation with respect to
investigation or prosecution by law enforcement authorities, bankruptcy,
or domestic relations matters. With respect to clients represented in
other matters, where disclosure of a client's identity is likely to
cause harm, the reporting individual shall request an exemption from the
joint commission pursuant to paragraph (i-1) of subdivision nine of
section ninety-four of the executive law, provided, however, that a
reporting individual who first enters public office after July first,
two thousand twelve, need not report clients or customers with respect
to matters for which the reporting individual or his or her firm was
retained prior to entering public office.
Client Nature of Services Provided
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
(b-1) APPLICABLE ONLY TO NEW CLIENTS OR CUSTOMERS FOR WHOM SERVICES
ARE PROVIDED ON OR AFTER DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, OR
FOR NEW MATTERS FOR EXISTING CLIENTS OR CUSTOMERS WITH RESPECT TO THOSE
SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED ON OR AFTER DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOU-
SAND FIFTEEN (FOR PURPOSES OF THIS QUESTION, "SERVICES" SHALL MEAN
CONSULTATION, REPRESENTATION, ADVICE OR OTHER SERVICES):
If the reporting individual receives income from employment reportable
in question 8(a) and personally provides services to any person or enti-
ty, or works as a member or employee of a partnership or corporation
that provides such services (referred to hereinafter as a "firm"), the
reporting individual shall identify each client or customer to whom the
reporting individual personally provided services, or who was referred
to the firm by the reporting individual, and from whom the reporting
individual or his or her firm earned fees in excess of $10,000 during
the reporting period in direct connection with:
S. 4726 7
(i) A contract in an amount totaling $10,000 or more from the state or
any state agency for services, materials, or property;
(ii) A grant of $10,000 or more from the state or any state agency
during the reporting period;
(iii) A grant obtained through a legislative initiative during the
reporting period; or
(iv) A case, proceeding, application or other matter that is not a
ministerial matter before a state agency during the reporting period.
For such services rendered by the reporting individual directly to
each such client, describe each matter that was the subject of such
representation, the services actually provided and the payment received.
For payments received from clients referred to the firm by the reporting
individual, if the reporting individual directly received a referral fee
or fees for such referral, identify the client and the payment so
received.
For purposes of this question, "referred to the firm" shall mean:
having intentionally and knowingly taken a specific act or series of
acts to intentionally procure for the reporting individual's firm or
having knowingly solicited or directed to the reporting individual's
firm in whole or substantial part, a person or entity that becomes a
client of that firm for the purposes of representation for a matter as
defined in clauses (i) through (iv) of this subparagraph, as the result
of such procurement, solicitation or direction of the reporting individ-
ual. A reporting individual need not disclose activities performed while
lawfully acting in his or her capacity as provided in paragraphs (c),
(d), (e) and (f) of subdivision seven of section seventy-three of this
article.
Client Matter Nature of Services Provided Category
of Amount
(in Table I)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
(b-2) APPLICABLE ONLY TO NEW CLIENTS OR CUSTOMERS FOR WHOM SERVICES
ARE PROVIDED ON OR AFTER DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, OR
FOR NEW MATTERS FOR EXISTING CLIENTS OR CUSTOMERS WITH RESPECT TO THOSE
SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED ON OR AFTER DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOU-
SAND FIFTEEN (FOR PURPOSES OF THIS QUESTION, "SERVICES" SHALL MEAN
CONSULTATION, REPRESENTATION, ADVICE OR OTHER SERVICES):
(i) With respect to reporting individuals who receive ten thousand
dollars or more from employment or activity reportable under question
8(a), for each client or customer NOT otherwise disclosed or exempted in
question 8 or 13, disclose the name of each client or customer known to
the reporting individual to whom the reporting individual provided
services: (A) who paid the reporting individual in excess of five thou-
sand dollars for such services; or (B) who had been billed with the
knowledge of the reporting individual in excess of five thousand dollars
by the firm or other entity named in question 8(a) for the reporting
individual's services.
Client Services Category of Amount
Actually Provided (in Table I)
________________________________________________________________________
S. 4726 8
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
FOLLOWING IS AN ILLUSTRATIVE, NON-EXCLUSIVE LIST OF EXAMPLES OF
DESCRIPTIONS OF "SERVICES ACTUALLY PROVIDED":
* REVIEWED DOCUMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE;
* REPRESENTED CLIENT (IDENTIFY CLIENT BY NAME) IN LEGAL PROCEEDING;
* PROVIDED LEGAL ADVICE ON CLIENT MATTER (IDENTIFY CLIENT BY NAME);
* CONSULTED WITH CLIENT OR CONSULTED WITH LAW PARTNERS/ASSOCIATES/MEMBERS
OF FIRM ON CLIENT MATTER (IDENTIFY CLIENT BY NAME);
* PREPARED CERTIFIED FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR CLIENT (IDENTIFY CLIENT BY
NAME);
* REFERRED INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY (IDENTIFY CLIENT BY NAME) FOR
REPRESENTATION OR CONSULTATION;
* COMMERCIAL BROKERING SERVICES (IDENTIFY CUSTOMER BY NAME);
* PREPARED CERTIFIED ARCHITECTURAL OR ENGINEERING
RENDERINGS FOR CLIENT (IDENTIFY CUSTOMER BY NAME);
* COURT APPOINTED GUARDIAN OR EVALUATOR (IDENTIFY COURT NOT CLIENT).
(ii) With respect to reporting individuals who disclosed in question
8(a) that the reporting individual did not provide services to a client
but provided services to a firm or business, identify the category of
amount received for providing such services and describe the services
rendered.
Services Actually Provided Category of Amount (Table I)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
A reporting individual need not disclose activities performed while
lawfully acting in his or her capacity as provided in paragraphs (c),
(d), (e) and (f) of subdivision seven of section seventy-three of this
article.
The disclosure requirement in questions (b-1) and (b-2) shall not
require disclosing clients or customers receiving medical, pharmaceu-
tical or dental services, mental health services, or residential real
estate brokering services from the reporting individual or his or her
firm or if federal law prohibits or limits disclosure. The reporting
individual need not identify any client to whom he or she or his or her
firm provided legal representation with respect to investigation or
prosecution by law enforcement authorities, bankruptcy, family court,
estate planning, or domestic relations matters, nor shall the reporting
individual identify individuals represented pursuant to an insurance
policy but the reporting individual shall in such circumstances only
report the entity that provides compensation to the reporting individ-
ual; with respect to matters in which the client's name is required by
law to be kept confidential (such as matters governed by the family
court act) or in matters in which the reporting individual represents or
provides services to minors, the client's name may be replaced with
initials. To the extent that the reporting individual, or his or her
firm, provided legal representation with respect to an initial public
offering, and professional disciplinary rules, federal law or regu-
lations restrict the disclosure of information relating to such work,
the reporting individual shall (i) disclose the identity of the client
and the services provided relating to the initial public offering to the
office of court administration, who will maintain such information
S. 4726 9
confidentially in a locked box; and (ii) include in his or her response
to questions (b-1) and (b-2) that pursuant to this paragraph, a disclo-
sure to the office of court administration has been made. Upon such time
that the disclosure of information maintained in the locked box is no
longer restricted by professional disciplinary rules, federal law or
regulation, the reporting individual shall disclose such information in
an amended disclosure statement in response to the disclosure require-
ments in questions (b-1) and (b-2). The office of court administration
shall develop and maintain a secure portal through which information
submitted to it pursuant to this paragraph can be safely and confiden-
tially stored. With respect to clients represented in other matters not
otherwise exempt, the reporting individual may request an exemption to
publicly disclosing the name of that client from the joint commission
pursuant to paragraph (i-1) of subdivision nine of section ninety-four
of the executive law, or from the office of court administration. In
such application, the reporting individual shall state the following:
"My client is not currently receiving my services or seeking my services
in connection with:
(i) A proposed bill or resolution in the senate or assembly during the
reporting period;
(ii) A contract in an amount totaling $10,000 or more from the state
or any state agency for services, materials, or property;
(iii) A grant of $10,000 or more from the state or any state agency
during the reporting period;
(iv) A grant obtained through a legislative initiative during the
reporting period; or
(v) A case, proceeding, application or other matter that is not a
ministerial matter before a state agency during the reporting period."
In reviewing the request for an exemption, the joint commission or the
office of court administration may consult with bar or other profes-
sional associations and the legislative ethics commission for individ-
uals subject to its jurisdiction and may consider the rules of profes-
sional conduct. In making its determination, the joint commission or the
office of court administration shall conduct its own inquiry and shall
consider factors including, but not limited to: (i) the nature and the
size of the client; (ii) whether the client has any business before the
state; and if so, how significant the business is; and whether the
client has any particularized interest in pending legislation and if so
how significant the interest is; (iii) whether disclosure may reveal
trade secrets; (iv) whether disclosure could reasonably result in retal-
iation against the client; (v) whether disclosure may cause undue harm
to the client; (vi) whether disclosure may result in undue harm to the
attorney-client relationship; and (vii) whether disclosure may result in
an unnecessary invasion of privacy to the client.
The joint commission or, as the case may be, the office of court
administration shall promptly make a final determination in response to
such request, which shall include an explanation for its determination.
The office of court administration shall issue its final determination
within three days of receiving the request. Notwithstanding any other
provision of law or any professional disciplinary rule to the contrary,
the disclosure of the identity of any client or customer in response to
this question shall not constitute professional misconduct or a ground
for disciplinary action of any kind, or form the basis for any civil or
criminal cause of action or proceeding. A reporting individual who first
enters public office after January first, two thousand sixteen, need not
report clients or customers with respect to matters for which the
S. 4726 10
reporting individual or his or her firm was retained prior to entering
public office.
(c) APPLICABLE ONLY TO NEW CLIENTS OR CUSTOMERS FOR WHOM SERVICES ARE
PROVIDED ON OR AFTER DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, OR FOR
NEW MATTERS FOR EXISTING CLIENTS OR CUSTOMERS WITH RESPECT TO THOSE
SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED ON OR AFTER DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOU-
SAND FIFTEEN:
If the reporting individual receives income of ten thousand dollars or
greater from any employment or activity reportable under question 8(a),
identify each registered lobbyist who has directly referred to such
individual a client who was successfully referred to the reporting indi-
vidual's business and from whom the reporting individual or firm
received a fee for services in excess of five thousand dollars. Report
only those referrals that were made to a reporting individual by direct
communication from a person known to such reporting individual to be a
registered lobbyist at the time the referral is made. With respect to
each such referral, the reporting individual shall identify the client,
the registered lobbyist who has made the referral, the category of value
of the compensation received and a general description of the type of
matter so referred. A reporting individual need not disclose activities
performed while lawfully acting pursuant to paragraphs (c), (d), (e) and
(f) of subdivision seven of section seventy-three of this article. The
disclosure requirements in this question shall not require disclosing
clients or customers receiving medical, pharmaceutical or dental
services, mental health services, or residential real estate brokering
services from the reporting individual or his or her firm or if federal
law prohibits or limits disclosure. The reporting individual need not
identify any client to whom he or she or his or her firm provided legal
representation with respect to investigation or prosecution by law
enforcement authorities, bankruptcy, family court, estate planning, or
domestic relations matters, nor shall the reporting individual identify
individuals represented pursuant to an insurance policy but the report-
ing individual shall in such circumstances only report the entity that
provides compensation to the reporting individual; with respect to
matters in which the client's name is required by law to be kept confi-
dential (such as matters governed by the family court act) or in matters
in which the reporting individual represents or provides services to
minors, the client's name may be replaced with initials. To the extent
that the reporting individual, or his or her firm, provided legal repre-
sentation with respect to an initial public offering, and federal law or
regulations restricts the disclosure of information relating to such
work, the reporting individual shall (i) disclose the identity of the
client and the services provided relating to the initial public offering
to the office of court administration, who will maintain such informa-
tion confidentially in a locked box; and (ii) include in his or her
response a statement that pursuant to this paragraph, a disclosure to
the office of court administration has been made. Upon such time that
the disclosure of information maintained in the locked box is no longer
restricted by federal law or regulation, the reporting individual shall
disclose such information in an amended disclosure statement in response
to the disclosure requirements of this paragraph. The office of court
administration shall develop and maintain a secure portal through which
information submitted to it pursuant to this paragraph can be safely and
confidentially stored. With respect to clients represented in other
matters not otherwise exempt, the reporting individual may request an
exemption to publicly disclosing the name of that client from the joint
S. 4726 11
commission pursuant to paragraph (i-1) of subdivision nine of section
ninety-four of the executive law, or from the office of court adminis-
tration. In such application, the reporting individual shall state the
following: "My client is not currently receiving my services or seeking
my services in connection with:
(i) A proposed bill or resolution in the senate or assembly during the
reporting period;
(ii) A contract in an amount totaling $10,000 or more from the state
or any state agency for services, materials, or property;
(iii) A grant of $10,000 or more from the state or any state agency
during the reporting period;
(iv) A grant obtained through a legislative initiative during the
reporting period; or
(v) A case, proceeding, application or other matter that is not a
ministerial matter before a state agency during the reporting period."
In reviewing the request for an exemption, the joint commission or the
office of court administration may consult with bar or other profes-
sional associations and the legislative ethics commission for individ-
uals subject to its jurisdiction and may consider the rules of profes-
sional conduct. In making its determination, the joint commission or the
office of court administration shall conduct its own inquiry and shall
consider factors including, but not limited to: (i) the nature and the
size of the client; (ii) whether the client has any business before the
state; and if so, how significant the business is; and whether the
client has any particularized interest in pending legislation and if so
how significant the interest is; (iii) whether disclosure may reveal
trade secrets; (iv) whether disclosure could reasonably result in retal-
iation against the client; (v) whether disclosure may cause undue harm
to the client; (vi) whether disclosure may result in undue harm to the
attorney-client relationship; and (vii) whether disclosure may result in
an unnecessary invasion of privacy to the client.
The joint commission or, as the case may be, the office of court
administration shall promptly make a final determination in response to
such request, which shall include an explanation for its determination.
The office of court administration shall issue its final determination
within three days of receiving the request. Notwithstanding any other
provision of law or any professional disciplinary rule to the contrary,
the disclosure of the identity of any client or customer in response to
this question shall not constitute professional misconduct or a ground
for disciplinary action of any kind, or form the basis for any civil or
criminal cause of action or proceeding. A reporting individual who first
enters public office after December thirty-first, two thousand fifteen,
need not report clients or customers with respect to matters for which
the reporting individual or his or her firm was retained prior to enter-
ing public office.
Client Name of Lobbyist Description Category of Amount
of Matter (in Table 1)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
(d) List the name, principal address and general description or the
nature of the business activity of any entity in which the reporting
individual or such individual's spouse had an investment in excess of
S. 4726 12
$1,000 excluding investments in securities and interests in real proper-
ty.
9. List each source of gifts, EXCLUDING campaign contributions, in
EXCESS of $1,000, received during the reporting period for which this
statement is filed by the reporting individual or such individual's
spouse or unemancipated child from the same donor, EXCLUDING gifts from
a relative. INCLUDE the name and address of the donor. The term "gifts"
does not include reimbursements, which term is defined in item 10.
Indicate the value and nature of each such gift.
Category
Self, of
Spouse or Name of Nature Value of
Child Donor Address of Gift Gift
(In Table I)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
10. Identify and briefly describe the source of any reimbursements for
expenditures, EXCLUDING campaign expenditures and expenditures in
connection with official duties reimbursed by the state, in EXCESS
of $1,000 from each such source. For purposes of this item, the term
"reimbursements" shall mean any travel-related expenses provided by
nongovernmental sources and for activities related to the reporting
individual's official duties such as, speaking engagements, confer-
ences, or factfinding events. The term "reimbursements" does NOT
include gifts reported under item 9.
Source Description
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
11. List the identity and value, if reasonably ascertainable, of each
interest in a trust, estate or other beneficial interest, including
retirement plans (other than retirement plans of the state of New
York or the city of New York), and deferred compensation plans
(e.g., 401, 403(b), 457, etc.) established in accordance with the
internal revenue code, in which the REPORTING INDIVIDUAL held a
beneficial interest in EXCESS of $1,000 at any time during the
preceding year. Do NOT report interests in a trust, estate or other
beneficial interest established by or for, or the estate of, a rela-
tive.
Category
Identity of Value*
(In Table II)
S. 4726 13
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
* The value of such interest shall be reported only if reasonably
ascertainable.
12. (a) Describe the terms of, and the parties to, any contract, prom-
ise, or other agreement between the reporting individual and any
person, firm, or corporation with respect to the employment of such
individual after leaving office or position (other than a leave of
absence).
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
(b) Describe the parties to and the terms of any agreement providing
for continuation of payments or benefits to the REPORTING INDIVIDUAL
in EXCESS of $1,000 from a prior employer OTHER THAN the State.
(This includes interests in or contributions to a pension fund,
profit-sharing plan, or life or health insurance; buy-out agree-
ments; severance payments; etc.)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
13. List below the nature and amount of any income in EXCESS of $1,000
from EACH SOURCE for the reporting individual and such individual's
spouse for the taxable year last occurring prior to the date of
filing. Each such source must be described with particularity.
Nature of income includes, but is not limited to, all income (other
than that received from the employment listed under Item 2 above)
from compensated employment whether public or private, directorships
and other fiduciary positions, contractual arrangements, teaching
income, partnerships, honorariums, lecture fees, consultant fees,
bank and bond interest, dividends, income derived from a trust, real
estate rents, and recognized gains from the sale or exchange of real
or other property. Income from a business or profession and real
estate rents shall be reported with the source identified by the
building address in the case of real estate rents and otherwise by
the name of the entity and not by the name of the individual custom-
ers, clients or tenants, with the aggregate net income before taxes
for each building address or entity. The receipt of maintenance
received in connection with a matrimonial action, alimony and child
support payments shall not be listed.
Self/ Category
Spouse Source Nature of Amount
(In Table I)
S. 4726 14
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
14. List the sources of any deferred income (not retirement income) in
EXCESS of $1,000 from each source to be paid to the reporting indi-
vidual following the close of the calendar year for which this
disclosure statement is filed, other than deferred compensation
reported in item 11 hereinabove. Deferred income derived from the
practice of a profession shall be listed in the aggregate and shall
identify as the source, the name of the firm, corporation, partner-
ship or association through which the income was derived, but shall
not identify individual clients.
Category
Source of Amount
(In Table I)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
15. List each assignment of income in EXCESS of $1,000, and each trans-
fer other than to a relative during the reporting period for which
this statement is filed for less than fair consideration of an
interest in a trust, estate or other beneficial interest, securities
or real property, by the reporting individual, in excess of $1,000,
which would otherwise be required to be reported herein and is not
or has not been so reported.
Item Assigned Assigned or Category
or Transferred Transferred to of Value
(In Table I)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
16. List below the type and market value of securities held by the
reporting individual or such individual's spouse from each issuing
entity in EXCESS of $1,000 at the close of the taxable year last
occurring prior to the date of filing, including the name of the
issuing entity exclusive of securities held by the reporting indi-
vidual issued by a professional corporation. Whenever an interest in
securities exists through a beneficial interest in a trust, the
securities held in such trust shall be listed ONLY IF the reporting
individual has knowledge thereof except where the reporting individ-
ual or the reporting individual's spouse has transferred assets to
such trust for his or her benefit in which event such securities
shall be listed unless they are not ascertainable by the reporting
S. 4726 15
individual because the trustee is under an obligation or has been
instructed in writing not to disclose the contents of the trust to
the reporting individual. Securities of which the reporting individ-
ual or the reporting individual's spouse is the owner of record but
in which such individual or the reporting individual's spouse has no
beneficial interest shall not be listed. Indicate percentage of
ownership ONLY if the reporting person or the reporting person's
spouse holds more than five percent (5%) of the stock of a corpo-
ration in which the stock is publicly traded or more than ten
percent (10%) of the stock of a corporation in which the stock is
NOT publicly traded. Also list securities owned for investment
purposes by a corporation more than fifty percent (50%) of the stock
of which is owned or controlled by the reporting individual or such
individual's spouse. For the purpose of this item the term "securi-
ties" shall mean mutual funds, bonds, mortgages, notes, obligations,
warrants and stocks of any class, investment interests in limited or
general partnerships and certificates of deposits (CDs) and such
other evidences of indebtedness and certificates of interest as are
usually referred to as securities. The market value for such secu-
rities shall be reported only if reasonably ascertainable and shall
not be reported if the security is an interest in a general partner-
ship that was listed in item 8 (a) or if the security is corporate
stock, NOT publicly traded, in a trade or business of a reporting
individual or a reporting individual's spouse.
Percentage
of corporate
stock owned
or controlled Category of
(if more than Market Value
5% of pub- as of the close
licly traded of the
stock, or taxable year
more than last occurring
10% if stock prior to
Self/ Issuing Type of not publicly the filing of
Spouse Entity Security traded, is held) this statement
(In Table II)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
17. List below the location, size, general nature, acquisition date,
market value and percentage of ownership of any real property in
which any vested or contingent interest in EXCESS of $1,000 is held
by the reporting individual or the reporting individual's spouse.
Also list real property owned for investment purposes by a corpo-
ration more than fifty percent (50%) of the stock of which is owned
or controlled by the reporting individual or such individual's
spouse. Do NOT list any real property which is the primary or
secondary personal residence of the reporting individual or the
reporting individual's spouse, except where there is a co-owner who
is other than a relative.
S. 4726 16
Category
Self/ Percentage of
Spouse/ General Acquisition of Market
Corporation Location Size Nature Date Ownership Value
(In
Table
II)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
18. List below all notes and accounts receivable, other than from goods
or services sold, held by the reporting individual at the close of
the taxable year last occurring prior to the date of filing and
other debts owed to such individual at the close of the taxable year
last occurring prior to the date of filing, in EXCESS of $1,000,
including the name of the debtor, type of obligation, date due and
the nature of the collateral securing payment of each, if any,
excluding securities reported in item 16 hereinabove. Debts, notes
and accounts receivable owed to the individual by a relative shall
not be reported.
Type of Obligation, Category
Date Due, and Nature of
Name of Debtor of Collateral, if any Amount
(In Table II)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
19. List below all liabilities of the reporting individual and such
individual's spouse, in EXCESS of $10,000 as of the date of filing
of this statement, other than liabilities to a relative. Do NOT list
liabilities incurred by, or guarantees made by, the reporting indi-
vidual or such individual's spouse or by any proprietorship, part-
nership or corporation in which the reporting individual or such
individual's spouse has an interest, when incurred or made in the
ordinary course of the trade, business or professional practice of
the reporting individual or such individual's spouse. Include the
name of the creditor and any collateral pledged by such individual
to secure payment of any such liability. A reporting individual
shall not list any obligation to pay maintenance in connection with
a matrimonial action, alimony or child support payments. Any loan
issued in the ordinary course of business by a financial institution
to finance educational costs, the cost of home purchase or improve-
ments for a primary or secondary residence, or purchase of a
personally owned motor vehicle, household furniture or appliances
shall be excluded. If any such reportable liability has been guaran-
teed by any third person, list the liability and name the guarantor.
S. 4726 17
Category
Name of Creditor Type of Liability of
or Guarantor and Collateral, if any Amount
(In Table II)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
The requirements of law relating to the reporting of financial
interests are in the public interest and no adverse inference of
unethical or illegal conduct or behavior will be drawn merely from
compliance with these requirements.
___________________________________ _________________________
(Signature of Reporting Individual) Date (month/day/year)
TABLE I
Category A none
Category B $ 1 to under $ 1,000
Category C $ 1,000 to under $ 5,000
Category D $ 5,000 to under $ 20,000
Category E $ 20,000 to under $ 50,000
Category F $ 50,000 to under $ 75,000
Category G $ 75,000 to under $ 100,000
Category H $ 100,000 to under $ 150,000
Category I $ 150,000 to under $ 250,000
Category J $ 250,000 to under $ 350,000
Category K $ 350,000 to under $ 450,000
Category L $ 450,000 to under $ 550,000
Category M $ 550,000 to under $ 650,000
Category N $ 650,000 to under $ 750,000
Category O $ 750,000 to under $ 850,000
Category P $ 850,000 to under $ 950,000
Category Q $ 950,000 to under $1,050,000
Category R $1,050,000 to under $1,150,000
Category S $1,150,000 to under $1,250,000
Category T $1,250,000 to under $1,350,000
Category U $1,350,000 to under $1,450,000
Category V $1,450,000 to under $1,550,000
Category W $1,550,000 to under $1,650,000
Category X $1,650,000 to under $1,750,000
Category Y $1,750,000 to under $1,850,000
Category Z $1,850,000 to under $1,950,000
Category AA $1,950,000 to under $2,050,000
Category BB $2,050,000 to under $2,150,000
Category CC $2,150,000 to under $2,250,000
Category DD $2,250,000 to under $2,350,000
Category EE $2,350,000 to under $2,450,000
Category FF $2,450,000 to under $2,550,000
Category GG $2,550,000 to under $2,650,000
Category HH $2,650,000 to under $2,750,000
Category II $2,750,000 to under $2,850,000
Category JJ $2,850,000 to under $2,950,000
S. 4726 18
Category KK $2,950,000 to under $3,050,000
Category LL $3,050,000 to under $3,150,000
Category MM $3,150,000 to under $3,250,000
Category NN $3,250,000 to under $3,350,000
Category OO $3,350,000 to under $3,450,000
Category PP $3,450,000 to under $3,550,000
Category QQ $3,550,000 to under $3,650,000
Category RR $3,650,000 to under $3,750,000
Category SS $3,750,000 to under $3,850,000
Category TT $3,850,000 to under $3,950,000
Category UU $3,950,000 to under $4,050,000
Category VV $4,050,000 to under $4,150,000
Category WW $4,150,000 to under $4,250,000
Category XX $4,250,000 to under $4,350,000
Category YY $4,350,000 to under $4,450,000
Category ZZ $4,450,000 to under $4,550,000
Category AAA $4,550,000 to under $4,650,000
Category BBB $4,650,000 to under $4,750,000
Category CCC $4,750,000 to under $4,850,000
Category DDD $4,850,000 to under $4,950,000
Category EEE $4,950,000 to under $5,050,000
Category FFF $5,050,000 to under $5,150,000
Category GGG $5,150,000 to under $5,250,000
Category HHH $5,250,000 to under $5,350,000
Category III $5,350,000 to under $5,450,000
Category JJJ $5,450,000 to under $5,550,000
Category KKK $5,550,000 to under $5,650,000
Category LLL $5,650,000 to under $5,750,000
Category MMM $5,750,000 to under $5,850,000
Category NNN $5,580,000 to under $5,950,000
Category OOO $5,950,000 to under $6,050,000
Category PPP $6,050,000 to under $6,150,000
Category QQQ $6,150,000 to under $6,250,000
Category RRR $6,250,000 to under $6,350,000
Category SSS $6,350,000 to under $6,450,000
Category TTT $6,450,000 to under $6,550,000
Category UUU $6,550,000 to under $6,650,000
Category VVV $6,650,000 to under $6,750,000
Category WWW $6,750,000 to under $6,850,000
Category XXX $6,850,000 to under $6,950,000
Category YYY $6,950,000 to under $7,050,000
Category ZZZ $7,050,000 to under $7,150,000
Category AAAA $7,150,000 to under $7,250,000
Category BBBB $7,250,000 to under $7,350,000
Category CCCC $7,350,000 to under $7,450,000
Category DDDD $7,450,000 to under $7,550,000
Category EEEE $7,550,000 to under $7,650,000
Category FFFF $7,650,000 to under $7,750,000
Category GGGG $7,750,000 to under $7,850,000
Category HHHH $7,850,000 to under $7,950,000
Category IIII $7,950,000 to under $8,050,000
Category JJJJ $8,050,000 to under $8,150,000
Category KKKK $8,150,000 to under $8,250,000
Category LLLL $8,250,000 to under $8,350,000
Category MMMM $8,350,000 to under $8,450,000
Category NNNN $8,450,000 to under $8,550,000
S. 4726 19
Category OOOO $8,550,000 to under $8,650,000
Category PPPP $8,650,000 to under $8,750,000
Category QQQQ $8,750,000 to under $8,850,000
Category RRRR $8,850,000 to under $8,950,000
Category SSSS $8,950,000 to under $9,050,000
Category TTTT $9,050,000 to under $9,150,000
Category UUUU $9,150,000 to under $9,250,000
Category VVVV $9,250,000 to under $9,350,000
Category WWWW $9,350,000 to under $9,450,000
Category XXXX $9,450,000 to under $9,550,000
Category YYYY $9,550,000 to under $9,650,000
Category ZZZZ $9,650,000 to under $9,750,000
Category AAAAA $9,750,000 to under $9,850,000
Category BBBBB $9,850,000 to under $9,950,000
Category CCCCC $9,950,000 to under $10,000,000
Category DDDDD $10,000,000 or over
TABLE II
Category A none
Category B $ 1 to under $ 1,000
Category C $ 1,000 to under $ 5,000
Category D $ 5,000 to under $ 20,000
Category E $ 20,000 to under $ 50,000
Category F $ 50,000 to under $ 75,000
Category G $ 75,000 to under $ 100,000
Category H $ 100,000 to under $ 150,000
Category I $ 150,000 to under $ 250,000
Category J $ 250,000 to under $ 500,000
Category K $ 500,000 to under $ 750,000
Category L $ 750,000 to under $1,000,000
Category M $1,000,000 to under $1,250,000
Category N $1,250,000 to under $1,500,000
Category O $1,500,000 to under $1,750,000
Category P $1,750,000 to under $2,000,000
Category Q $2,000,000 to under $2,250,000
Category R $2,250,000 to under $2,500,000
Category S $2,500,000 to under $2,750,000
Category T $2,750,000 to under $3,000,000
Category U $3,000,000 to under $3,250,000
Category V $3,250,000 to under $3,500,000
Category W $3,500,000 to under $3,750,000
Category X $3,750,000 to under $4,000,000
Category Y $4,000,000 to under $4,250,000
Category Z $4,250,000 to under $4,500,000
Category AA $4,500,000 to under $4,750,000
Category BB $4,750,000 to under $5,000,000
Category CC $5,000,000 to under $5,250,000
Category DD $5,250,000 to under $5,500,000
Category EE $5,500,000 to under $5,750,000
Category FF $5,750,000 to under $6,000,000
Category GG $6,000,000 to under $6,250,000
Category HH $6,250,000 to under $6,500,000
Category II $6,500,000 to under $6,750,000
Category JJ $6,750,000 to under $7,000,000
Category KK $7,000,000 to under $7,250,000
Category LL $7,250,000 to under $7,500,000
S. 4726 20
Category MM $7,500,000 to under $7,750,000
Category NN $7,750,000 to under $8,000,000
Category OO $8,000,000 to under $8,250,000
Category PP $8,250,000 to under $8,500,000
Category QQ $8,500,000 to under $8,750,000
Category RR $8,750,000 to under $9,000,000
Category SS $9,000,000 to under $9,250,000
Category TT $9,250,000 to under $9,500,000
Category UU $9,500,000 or over
(B) THE JOINT COMMISSION ON PUBLIC ETHICS SHALL MAKE AVAILABLE AN
EDITABLE, ELECTRONIC, READABLE AND SEARCHABLE VERSION OF THE ANNUAL
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE BY JANUARY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND EIGH-
TEEN TO ALL THOSE REQUIRED BY LAW TO SUBMIT SUCH FORMS.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that
section two of this act shall take effect on January first, two thousand
nineteen.
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