State ethics committee advances four bills addressing lobbying, reimbursements and disclosures

Senator Shelley Mayer, chair of the State Standing Committee on Ethics and Internal Governance, opened the committee’s first meeting of the year and led consideration of four bills the panel voted to send to the Senate floor.

The bills addressed lobbying related to confirmation proceedings, limits on reimbursements to campaign or legal defense funds for state employees, revisions to financial-disclosure forms, and a requirement that lobbying filings be submitted electronically.

The committee moved the first bill, listed in the record as S 374 and sponsored in the transcript by “Senator Gineris,” which the chair described as an amendment to the legislative law governing lobbying for the confirmation of persons to state office. Senator Cooney moved the bill; the meeting record notes unanimous “Aye” responses from some members and a recorded opposition by Senator Rose, who registered “without rec.” The chair declared the bill moved to the floor.

The committee then considered a bill recorded as S 2454 by the same sponsor in the transcript, described as an amendment to the Public Officers Law to prohibit reimbursement for campaign and political committees and legal defense funds for defense costs incurred on behalf of state employees. Mayer noted the measure previously passed ‘‘57 to 0’’ in 2024. Senator Pinsky moved the bill and Senator Cooney seconded. The transcript records members voting “Aye” and a committee member, Senator Rhodes, registering “without rec.” The chair said the bill goes to the floor.

Next the committee reviewed a bill listed as S 741A by Senator Fernandez to amend the Public Officers Law by updating required financial-disclosure statements for certain state and legislative officials, officers and employees. Mayer characterized this as a technical update to the long-form disclosure that is publicly available. Senator Rhodes moved the bill; Senator Cooney seconded. The committee approved and the bill was moved to the floor.

The final measure, recorded as S 5843 by “Senator Spoofus” in the transcript, would require electronic filing of lobbying statements with the relevant filing entity described in the meeting as KOLIG (the commission on ethics and lobbying government). Mayer said most filers already submit electronically and that mandatory electronic filing would reduce paperwork for staff and speed public access to filings. Senator Cooney moved the bill; the motion was seconded and approved. The record shows a “without rec” notation by “Mr. Jones” at the vote. Mayer closed the meeting and said the committee expects at least one more meeting to review additional referred bills.

Votes at a glance

- S 374 (sponsor recorded as Senator Gineris): Motion to amend legislative law re lobbying for confirmations. Moved by Senator Cooney; second recorded. Committee vote: several “Aye” votes recorded; Senator Rose recorded as opposed “without rec.” Outcome: moved to the floor.

- S 2454 (sponsor recorded as Senator Gineris): Amend Public Officers Law to prohibit reimbursement for campaign/political committees and legal defense funds for defense costs on behalf of state employees. Moved by Senator Pinsky; seconded by Senator Cooney. Mayer noted the bill previously passed 57–0 in 2024. Committee vote: “Aye” votes recorded; Senator Rhodes registered “without rec.” Outcome: moved to the floor.

- S 741A (sponsor recorded as Senator Fernandez): Update required financial-disclosure forms for certain state and legislative officials. Moved by Senator Rhodes; seconded by Senator Cooney. Committee vote: unanimous “Aye” recorded in the transcript. Outcome: moved to the floor.

- S 5843 (sponsor recorded as Senator Spoofus): Require electronic filing of lobbying statements with the commission described in the transcript as KOLIG. Moved by Senator Cooney; seconded. Committee vote: “Aye” votes recorded; “Mr. Jones” recorded as “without rec.” Outcome: moved to the floor.

The committee discussion was brief on each item and focused largely on the scope and technical nature of the proposed changes. Mayer emphasized the committee’s role in reviewing ethics-related legislation referred to it and distinguished the panel’s work from investigations handled by the legislative ethics commission. She said the committee will reconvene to review additional bills referred to the panel.

Ending

No public testimony or external witnesses are recorded in the meeting transcript. The committee concluded after advancing the four items noted above and signaled at least one further meeting to consider additional referred bills.