NY Should Report Lobbyists’ Positions on Bills, Like Other States

New York State currently does not require lobbyists to disclose what position they take on legislation or other government actions they are trying to influence. While you can search the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG) portal for bills that lobbyists are attempting to influence, New Yorkers cannot answer the basic question of whether special interest groups are backing or trying to stop legislation. 

S9557 (Mayer) / A9559 (Rajkumar) would require lobbyists to report their positions on legislation, rule- makings, and executive orders – including whether the lobbying was in “support,” “support with proposed amendments,” “opposition,” or “opposition absent proposed amendments.” Other states require lobbyists to disclose their positions on bills, including Montana, Colorado, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. 

Idaho requires lobbyists to report which sections they are seeking to influence within appropriations bills. New York only requires lobbyists to report bill numbers – including for budget legislation – leaving it open-ended for filers in reporting the subject of lobbying, since NY’s budget bills are hundreds of pages long. S9557/A9559 requires lobbyists to say what specific appropriations they are supporting or opposing.

Below is a sampling of other states that require more information in their lobbying reports. 

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