File #: Int 2154-2020    Version: * Name: Establishing liability for violations and penalties to any agent acting on behalf of an independent spender.
Type: Introduction Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Governmental Operations
On agenda: 11/19/2020
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to establishing liability for violations and penalties to any agent acting on behalf of an independent spender
Sponsors: Ben Kallos
Council Member Sponsors: 1
Summary: Under the City’s Campaign Finance Act and the City Charter, penalties for violations committed by independent spenders (outside organizations or individuals who, without involvement of any candidate, spend money to influence the outcome of an election) are treated differently than penalties for violations committed by candidates. Under the Act, the candidate or “any other agent” of the candidate may be liable for penalties assessed by the Campaign Finance Board. However, the Charter, which sets requirements for independent expenditures, does not explicitly extend liability to agents of independent spenders. This bill amends the Charter to establish liability for violations and penalties to any agent acting on behalf of an independent spender.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 2154, 2. Int. No. 2154, 3. November 19, 2020 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 11-19-20, 5. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - November 19, 2020

Int. No. 2154

 

By Council Member Kallos

 

A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to establishing liability for violations and penalties to any agent acting on behalf of an independent spender

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Subparagraph (d) of paragraph 15 of subdivision a of section 1052 of the New York city charter, as added by vote of the electors on November 2, 2010, is amended to read as follows:

(d) The board may, upon notice and opportunity to be heard, assess civil penalties against any individual or entity that violates this paragraph, or an agent of any such individual or entity, in an amount not in excess of ten thousand dollars for each such violation [of this paragraph]. The intentional or knowing violation of this paragraph shall be punishable as a misdemeanor in addition to any other penalty provided under law.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

DFC

LS # 8165, 8204, 9024

3/27/2020 9:25 a.m.