Senate Ethics Committee Advances Five Ethics, Disclosure and Transparency Bills

The Senate Committee on Ethics and Internal Governance met at 10 a.m. on April 28, 2026, and advanced five bills aimed at tightening ethics and transparency rules for state officials and those who lobby them.

Senator Shelley Mayer, who opened the meeting, said the committee had "a pretty robust agenda this year for the ethics committee." The panel moved four bills to the full Senate and referred one to local government for further consideration.

The first bill, S2454 (sponsor: Senator Gineris), would amend the Public Officers Law to prohibit campaign and political committees and legal defense funds from reimbursing defense costs incurred on behalf of state employees. Senator Bernardes moved the bill and Senator Shelley Mayer seconded; the committee approved the motion and the bill "moves to the floor," as recorded by the presiding senator.

Next, S3741 (sponsor: Senator Fernandez) was presented as an amendment to the Public Officers Law to revise required financial disclosures for certain state and legislative officials by removing a line item from the disclosure form. A motion and second were recorded and the bill was sent to the floor.

S4857C (sponsor: Senator Scoofus) would amend the Public Officers Law and Executive Law to require an annual statement of financial disclosure and public posting of filings for candidates for statewide office and members of the legislature. The committee approved the motion to advance the bill after a move and second were recorded.

Senator Mayer introduced S9557, a Legislative Law change that would require lobbyists to disclose a brief description of the position they and their clients take on a lobbying matter. Mayer said the bill "has the support of Colig." Senator Bernardes moved the bill; Mayer seconded, and the committee approved and advanced it to the floor.

Finally, S9603 (sponsor: Senator Mayer) would require members of public bodies to complete a minimum level of training on the state's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and Open Meetings Law. On the bill, Mayer said, "This would require greater knowledge by local officials both on FOIL and the open meetings law, which is a issue that we get complaints from our constituents that members do not always understand the details of it." She added she was open to technical amendments to limit scope to the right people. The committee moved the bill; it was referred to local government for further work rather than directly to the floor.

Votes at a glance S2454 (Gineris) — Amend Public Officers Law to prohibit reimbursements to campaign/legal defense funds for defense costs for state employees. Moved: Senator Bernardes; Second: Senator Shelley Mayer. Outcome: moved to the floor. S3741 (Fernandez) — Revise required financial-disclosure form for certain state and legislative officials. Outcome: moved to the floor. S4857C (Scoofus) — Require annual statements and public posting of financial disclosures for statewide candidates and legislators. Moved: Senator Menard; Second: Senator Rhoads. Outcome: moved to the floor. S9557 (Mayer) — Require lobbyists to disclose their position on a bill. Moved: Senator Bernardes; Second: Senator Shelley Mayer. Outcome: moved to the floor. S9603 (Mayer) — Require minimum FOIL and Open Meetings Law training for members of public bodies. Moved: Senator Bernardes; Second: Senator Shelley Mayer. Outcome: referred to local government for further consideration.

What happens next The four bills that the committee moved will go to the Senate floor for further consideration by the full chamber. S9603 was sent to local government for additional drafting or referral. Senator Mayer closed the short session by thanking members and noting it was unclear whether another committee meeting would be scheduled.