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June 14, 2011
STATEMENT OF NEW YORK STATE BAR PRESIDENT VINCENT E.
DOYLE III ON LEGISLATIVE PASSAGE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS BILLS
"Members of the state Senate and Assembly deserve
congratulations for passage of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s ethics
reform program bill.
"It will give citizens greater confidence that public servants are
putting the common good before their personal financial interests.
"The measure significantly enhances disclosure of outside business
interests of public officials. Among the new requirements:
• New disclosures by all state agencies, public
authorities, boards, commissions, departments, or divisions.
Beginning in 2013, an online and downloadable database will disclose
information regarding all firms and individuals who appear before these
entities regarding any matter pertaining to procurement, rate-making
proceedings, regulatory matters, judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings,
or attempts to have a regulation repealed or amended; and,
• Increased disclosures by public officials.
Financial disclosure statements of public officials will require greater
and more precise disclosure of salary and investment information.
In addition, for business conducted after July 2012, many public
officials, including elected officials and state employees, will be
required to disclose the names of clients or customers to whom they
personally provide services or have referred to their firm, regarding
representation involving interaction with the state that results in fees
greater than $10,000. The law includes a definition of
“state agency” that covers a broad range of state
entities. Certain exceptions to the disclosure requirements that
will be of particular interest to legal practitioners are provided in
the new statute, including one that applies “where disclosure of a
client’s identity is likely to cause harm.”
The New York State Bar Association is the largest
voluntary state bar association in the nation. It was founded in
1876.
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