Proposed Res. No. 1988-A
Resolution calling on the New York State Assembly and New York State Senate to introduce and pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation requiring the Joint Committee on Public Ethics (JCOPE) to accept filings pursuant to the City's lobbyist registration laws from lobbyists who are required to file by the State Lobbying Act with JCOPE solely due to their lobbying of New York City officials.
By The Speaker (Council Member Quinn) and Council Members Brewer, Chin, Koo, Koslowitz, Van Bramer, Koppell and Halloran (in conjunction with the Mayor)
Whereas, A lobbyist who lobbies in New York City is required to register under the City's lobbyist registration law (Lobbying Law) with the City Clerk and under the State Lobbying Act with the Joint Commission on Public Ethics; and
Whereas, Under the City's Lobbying Law, the lobbyist is generally required to file one statement of registration, six periodic reports and an annual report; and
Whereas, Under the City's Lobbying Law, clients are required to file a Client Annual Report; and
Whereas, Under the State Lobbying Act, lobbyists are required to file biennial registration statements and six bimonthly reports; and
Whereas, Under the State Lobbying Act, clients are required to file two semi-annual reports; and
Whereas, The 2006 amendments to the City's Lobbying Law specifically authorized the Clerk to conform the reporting periods of the City's periodic reports to the periods covered by the State's bi-monthly reports; and
Whereas, The City's Lobbying Law contain a more comprehensive list of activities which must be reported, including attempts to influence land use decisions which are not covered by the State Lobbying Act; and
Whereas, the State Lobbying Act requires lobbyists to register even if their lobbying is solely directed at municipal officials; and
Whereas, Testimony received by the joint Mayoral-Council New York City Lobbying Commission (Lobbying Commission), created pursuant to the 2006 reforms to the City's Lobbying Laws to review and make recommendations on strengthening the laws, indicates widespread agreement that a single system for lobbyist registration at both the City and State levels would simplify the registration process; and
Whereas, The Lobbying Commission in its final report urged the State to consider accepting City lobbyist filings from those lobbyists who are covered by the State Lobbying Act solely due to their lobbying of New York City officials; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Assembly and New York State Senate to introduce and pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation requiring the Joint Committee on Public Ethics (JCOPE) to accept and post online filings pursuant to the City's lobbyist registration laws from lobbyists who are required to file by the State Lobbying Act with JCOPE solely due to their lobbying of New York City officials.
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Cr-10/4/2013 Sv-12/17/2013 3:23 PM