Requires each branch of state government and political subdivision of the state to establish and abide by a code of ethics; requires ethics commissions; sets standards for codes.
STATE OF NEW YORK
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4252
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 2, 2009
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Introduced by M. of A. BRODSKY, CAHILL, HOYT, GALEF, KOON -- Multi-Spon-
sored by -- M. of A. COLTON -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Governmental Operations
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY
proposing an amendment to article 13 of the constitution, in relation to
codes of ethics
1 Section 1. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That article 13 of the
2 constitution be amended by adding a new section 15 to read as follows:
3 § 15. A public office is a public trust. The people shall have the
4 right to secure and sustain that trust against abuse. Public officers
5 and employees must exhibit the highest standards of ethical conduct and
6 demonstrate the personal integrity of each individual in government. To
7 keep faith with this belief, each branch of state government and each
8 political subdivision of the state shall adopt a code of ethics which
9 shall apply to appointed and elected officers and employees of the state
10 who have influence over policy or the political subdivision, as the case
11 may be, including members of the boards, commissions and other bodies.
12 Each code of ethics shall be administered by a separate ethics commis-
13 sion. Ethics commissioners shall be selected in a manner which assures
14 their independence and impartiality.
15 Each code of ethics shall include, but not be limited to, provisions
16 on gifts, confidential information, use of position, contracts with
17 government agencies, post-employment, financial disclosure, conflict of
18 interest and lobbyist registration and restriction. The financial
19 disclosure provisions shall require all elected officers, all candidates
20 for elective office and such appointed officers and employees as may be
21 provided by law to make public financial disclosures. Other public offi-
22 cials having significant discretionary or fiscal powers, as provided by
23 law, shall make confidential financial disclosures. All financial
24 disclosure statements shall include, but not be limited to, sources and
25 amounts of income, business ownership, officer and director positions,
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89084-01-9
A. 4252 2
1 ownership of real property, debts, creditor interests in insolvent busi-
2 nesses and the names of persons represented before government agencies.
3 § 2. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing amendment be
4 referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the
5 next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in
6 conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be
7 published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
