NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A4668
SPONSOR: Zebrowski (MS) TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the election law, in relation to disclosure of the iden-
tities of political committees making certain expenditures for political
communications
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:
This bill will require that political communications disclose the iden-
tity of the political committee that made the expenditure for the commu-
nication.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill amends section 14-106 of the election law as it
relates to requiring disclosure on political communications. The section
requires a "paid for by" statement for all political communications
including printed, digital, visual or auditory communications. Political
communications shall clearly print, state or speak a disclaimer state-
ment of "Paid for by" and the name of the political committee that made
the expenditure for such communication. The bill exempts promotional
items that are of nominal value and contains, brief message of support
including pens, bumper stickers, yard signs and buttons. Digital media
which is too small to contain a disclosure statement shall be exempt if
it contains, a link to a webpage where such disclosure is prominently
displayed.
Section two of tine bill amends section 14-307 of the election law as it
relates to stating the manner in which the identity is disclosed on
independent expenditures.
Section three of the bill amends section 14-126 of the election as it
relates to penalties.
Section four of the bill relates to authorizing the board of elections
to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the
provisions of this section.
Section five of the bill relates to the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Most states including the Federal government have laws requiring poli-
tical communications disclose the sender's identity. This bill will end
anonymous mailings and require that all communications clearly state who
paid for it. Anonymous mailings and advertising allow candidates and
committees to avoid taking responsibility for the content of the commu-
nication. Voters in all elections deserve to know where the political
mail is coming from and who is responsible for it.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A.2158A of 2017-18,
A.42865 of 2015-16,
A.8187C of 2013-14.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the
date upon which it shall have become a law.
