Ethics and Lobbying, Independent Commission on
skip breadcrumbsAgency Web Site: https://ethics.ny.gov/
Mission
The New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (Commission) promotes public trust in government by ensuring compliance with the State's ethics and lobbying laws. The Ethics Commission Reform Act of 2022 established the Commission and grants broad oversight over the executive and legislative branches of government. The Commission serves its mission through three core functions, including: public disclosure, advice and guidance, and enforcement.
Organization and Staffing
The Commission consists of 11 members with staggered terms. Appointees are nominated by the Governor, Temporary President of the Senate, Senate Minority Leader, Assembly Speaker, Assembly Minority Leader, State Comptroller, and Attorney General. The nominees are reviewed by the Independent Review Committee, consisting of the 15 State-accredited law school deans or their designees. Commission members appoint an Executive Director who serves a four-year term and is responsible for carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the Commission with a dedicated staff.
Major Programs
The Commission has jurisdiction over executive and legislative officials and employees, candidates for statewide and legislative elected office, political party chairs, and lobbyists and their clients. The Commission requires all individuals and entities under its jurisdiction to take regular ethics and lobbying training, and administers the statutory filing program for lobbyists in the State. Additionally, the Commission reviews annual financial disclosure filings from statewide elected officials and legislative members for deficiencies and conflicts.
Budget Highlights
The FY 2026 Executive Budget recommends $8.3 million in General Fund appropriations and a projected workforce of 68 FTEs.
| Category | Available FY 2025 |
Appropriations Recommended FY 2026 |
Change From FY 2025 |
Reappropriations Recommended FY 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Operations | 8,066,000 | 8,316,000 | 250,000 | 0 |
| Total | 8,066,000 | 8,316,000 | 250,000 | 0 |
| Program | FY 2025 Estimated FTEs 03/31/25 |
FY 2026 Estimated FTEs 03/31/26 |
FTE Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethics and Lobbying | |||
| General Fund | 68 | 68 | 0 |
| Total | 68 | 68 | 0 |
| Fund Type | Available FY 2025 |
Recommended FY 2026 |
Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Fund | 8,066,000 | 8,316,000 | 250,000 |
| Total | 8,066,000 | 8,316,000 | 250,000 |
| Program | Available FY 2025 |
Recommended FY 2026 |
Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethics and Lobbying | |||
| General Fund | 8,066,000 | 8,316,000 | 250,000 |
| Total | 8,066,000 | 8,316,000 | 250,000 |
| Program | Total | Personal Service Regular (Annual Salaried) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Change | Amount | Change | |
| Ethics and Lobbying | 7,154,000 | 0 | 7,109,000 | 0 |
| Total | 7,154,000 | 0 | 7,109,000 | 0 |
| Program | Temporary Service (Nonannual Salaried) |
Holiday/Overtime Pay | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Change | Amount | Change | |
| Ethics and Lobbying | 0 | 0 | 45,000 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 45,000 | 0 |
| Program | Total | Supplies and Materials | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Change | Amount | Change | |
| Ethics and Lobbying | 1,162,000 | 250,000 | 80,000 | 0 |
| Total | 1,162,000 | 250,000 | 80,000 | 0 |
| Program | Travel | Contractual Services | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Change | Amount | Change | |
| Ethics and Lobbying | 40,000 | 0 | 992,000 | 250,000 |
| Total | 40,000 | 0 | 992,000 | 250,000 |
| Program | Equipment | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount | Change | |
| Ethics and Lobbying | 50,000 | 0 |
| Total | 50,000 | 0 |
Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/21/2025