Senator Robach Announces Final Passage Of Ethics Reform Legislation

Senator Robach announced today the final legislative passage of landmark legislation that creates new ethics and lobbying reforms in state government. This legislation (S.2876) represents an agreement reached earlier this year between the Legislature and the Executive that implements higher ethical standards for public officials, significantly strengthens penalties for ethics violations and establishes an independent public integrity panel to enforce ethics and lobbying laws.

“People are right to demand accountability and integrity from their state government and public officials,” said Senator Robach. “These historic reforms will provide more transparency and openness, while ensuring the public that their interests come first.”

The agreed upon legislation significantly reforms current lobbying and ethics laws, including:

> Prohibits all gifts from lobbyists and their clients of more than nominal value, including travel, lodging and other expenses, and broadens the types of lobbying activities that lobbyists must disclose;

> Bans virtually all honoraria for statewide elected officials, agency heads and legislators;

> Bars non-legislative employees from asking about the political affiliation, contributions or voting records of prospective employees;

> Prevents agency heads from becoming a candidate for any compensated elective office unless they resign or take an unpaid leave of absence;

> Closes the “revolving door” loophole by prohibiting former legislative employees from directly lobbying the Legislature for two years, and expands the revolving door restrictions for Executive Chamber employees to preclude appearances before any state agency.

“I remain committed to promoting ethical and responsible government that is accountable to our hardworking taxpayers,” Robach added. “It is important for people to have confidence that their government is working effectively, honestly and efficiently on their behalf. This legislation will allow us to do just that.”

The agreement also strengthens penalties for violations of the state Public Officers Law and state Lobbying Law. The maximum civil penalty for public officers who commit ethics violations will be increased from $10,000 to $40,000 plus the value of any associated gain. Lobbyists who repeatedly flout lobbying laws will be subject to suspension.

The agreement combines the current State Ethics Commission and State Lobbying Commission and creates a new State Commission on Public Integrity with broad authority to enforce ethics and lobbying laws. It would also replace the current Legislative Ethics Committee with a new Legislative Ethics Commission that has a majority of independent members and new disclosure requirements.

Two years ago, the State enacted an historic procurement lobbying reform law that implemented comprehensive reforms to more effectively regulate the lobbying of government contracts. At the time, it represented the most sweeping reform and overhaul of the State’s lobbying law in generations.