Ethics laws were enacted to prevent both actual and apparent conflicts of interest between official duties and private interests.
The Public Integrity Reform Act of 2011 (PIRA) became effective on August 15, 2011. It established the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) which expanded the existing functions and jurisdiction of the former Commission on Public Integrity. The jurisdiction of JCOPE includes all SUNY employees. View further information.
Applicable ethics laws and regulations include:
Public Officers Law section 73-a: Financial Disclosure Statements (FDSs)
Public Officers Law section 74: The Code of Ethics
Public Officers Law section 73: Outside employment and professional activities, restriction on political activities, nepotism, gifts, honorarium, travel, negotiations on future employment, and post-employment restrictions.
Civil Service Law section 107: Political Activity
For quick reference, read the Plain Language Guide to the State Ethics Laws.
Honoraria | Official Activity Expense Payments | Outside Activities | Gifts | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Applies to | All State Workers | All State Workers | Policy Makers | All State Workers |
Minimum Requirement | $0 | $0 | Depends on | Depends, usually $15 |
Money / Item | Individual | NYS | Individual | Hopefully NYS |
Approval Required | by Agency | by Agency |
by Agency: > $1k; by JCOPE: > $5k |
Sometimes |
Prior Approval | Yes | Yes | Yes | Sometimes |
Annual Report | If FDS filter | If FDS filer | Yes | Maybe |