Authorizes the commission on ethics and lobbying in government to provide a training course concerning anti-sexual harassment training for lobbyists; requires lobbyists to complete the course annually.
Summary
S00426 would require the New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government to create and offer an online anti-sexual harassment training course for lobbyists. The course would be based on the state Department of Labor’s model sexual harassment prevention guidance and policy, and would cover the definition of sexual harassment, relevant New York statutes and regulations, advisory opinions, the purposes of the law, practical examples, and issues specific to the lobbying and advocacy industry.
The bill also creates a new annual training requirement for anyone registered as a lobbyist, including both initial and renewal registrants. Lobbyists would have to complete the course each year while registered, and failure to do so would bar them from engaging in lobbying activity until they comply. The commission would be required to publish and maintain a website list of lobbyists who missed the deadline and are therefore prohibited from lobbying, removing names within two business days after completion of the course. The bill takes effect immediately but applies to lobbyists registered on and after January 1, 2027.
Impact
This bill amends the Legislative Law by adding a new anti-sexual harassment training mandate for lobbyists and by expanding the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government’s responsibilities to include developing and administering the training. It also reletters existing sections of the law to accommodate the new provision. In practical terms, it imposes a new compliance condition on lobbyist registration and creates a statutory basis for suspending lobbying activity for noncompliance, affecting registered lobbyists, lobbying firms, and the commission’s enforcement and public disclosure functions.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill was generally well supported in the Senate, passing final passage 60-1 and the Rules Committee 20-1. That margin indicates broad bipartisan or at least cross-faction support for the measure’s anti-harassment and ethics-compliance goals. No committee transcript is available, so the record does not show detailed debate, but the votes indicate the bill was viewed favorably overall.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the added regulatory burden on lobbyists, who must complete a new annual training and face a prohibition on lobbying if they miss the deadline. Some may also object to the public posting of noncompliant lobbyists’ names, which raises reputational and enforcement concerns. On the other hand, supporters are likely to emphasize workplace conduct, accountability, and aligning the lobbying profession with broader state anti-sexual-harassment standards. The near-unanimous votes suggest any objections were limited rather than widespread.
Authorizes the commission on ethics and lobbying in government to provide a training course concerning anti-sexual harassment training for lobbyists; requires lobbyists to complete the course annually.
Public employees and officers: ethics; lobbyists or lobbyist agents giving or purchasing food or beverages for legislators; prohibit. Amends secs. 3, 5, 8, 9 & 11 of 1978 PA 472 (MCL 4.413 et seq.).
A concurrent resolution relating to the joint rules governing lobbyists of the Senate and House of Representatives for the Ninety-first General Assembly.(Formerly SSB 1021.)
A concurrent resolution relating to the joint rules governing lobbyists of the Senate and House of Representatives for the Ninety-first General Assembly.(See HCR 4.)
A concurrent resolution relating to the joint rules governing lobbyists of the Senate and House of Representatives for the Ninety-first General Assembly.(See SCR 1.)