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Bill

A 9559

Expands disclosure requirements for lobbyists

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jenifer Rajkumar

The bill expands lobbyist disclosures to include detailed positions on each item, procurement documents, relationships with officials, and itemized expenses.

PRINT NUMBER 9559A
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 9559

Overview

  • Bill: A 9559
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Jurisdiction: New York
  • Title: Expands disclosure requirements for lobbyists
  • Purpose: Strengthen lobbyist reporting by requiring disclosure of lobbying positions on bills and broader information about lobbying activities and relationships.

What this bill would do

  • Expands bi-monthly and periodic lobbyist disclosure reports to include detailed information on:
    • The lobbyist and client contact information
    • The specific legislative, executive, Tribal-state, procurement, and related items lobbied
    • The stance taken by the lobbyist on each item (support, support with amendments, opposition, or opposition without amendments)
    • The nature of lobbying on gubernatorial or local executive orders
    • The involvement in tribal-state compacts and Class III gaming actions
    • The identification of any procurement contracts or documents related to governmental procurement disseminated by state or local authorities
    • The identity of the person, organization, or legislative body before which lobbying occurred
    • Financial aspects: compensation paid or owed to lobbyists, and related expenses, with detailed reporting thresholds
    • The existence of business relationships with statewide elected officials, state officers or employees, legislators, or legislative staff, including the general subject of transactions and the compensation/expenses involved

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 1: Amendments to subdivision (b) of section 1-h (bi-monthly lobbyist reports)

    • Requires a bi-monthly report to include:
    • Lobbyist’s name and full contact details
    • Client’s name and full contact details
    • Detailed lobbying subjects and the specific bills or items lobbied (including appropriation items, executive orders, state-tribal agreements, tribal gaming, regulatory or rate-related items, and procurement documents)
    • For each item, the lobbyist’s position: in support, in support with amendments, in opposition, or in opposition without amendments
    • For executive orders and related items: whether lobbying addressed adoption, issuance, rescission, or modification
    • For tribal-state actions: status of approval/implementation or other related actions
    • For procurement-related items: identification of procurement contracts and related documents
    • The entity before which lobbying occurred
    • Financial disclosures: compensation paid or owed, and related expenses
    • Expense reporting thresholds and detail:
      • Expenses over $75 must be itemized (amount, payee, purpose)
      • If over $75 for more than one person, list the affected person
      • Exclusions: personal sustenance, lodging, travel, and up to $500 per calendar year for printing/reproduction/mailing; salaries of non-lobbyist staff are listed in aggregate
      • Expense documentation: payments over $50 must be paid by check or supported by receipts; records kept for three years

  • Section 2: Amendments to subdivision (b) of section 1-j (annual/biannual lobbyist report)

    • Mirrors the bi-monthly reporting requirements, but on an annual/biannual reporting schedule
    • Requires the same categories of information as the bi-monthly report, including:
    • Client and lobbyist details
    • Descriptions of lobbying activities and positions on items
    • Executive orders, tribal-state actions, procurement documents
    • Procurement-related itemization and positions
    • Details of lobbying before specific entities
    • Financial disclosures and expense reporting with the same thresholds and exclusions
    • Reporting of business relationships with statewide elected officials, state officers or employees, legislators, or legislative staff, including the nature of the relationship and compensation/expenses

  • Section 3: Effective date

    • The act would take effect 180 days after becoming law.

Who would be affected

  • Lobbyists and their clients (including employers and organizations engaging in lobbying activities)
  • State agencies, the Legislature, the Unified Court System, municipal agencies, and local legislative bodies (through the disclosure of procurement documents and related items)
  • Statewide elected officials, state officers or employees, legislators, and legislative staff (due to the requirement to disclose business relationships with lobbyists’ clients)

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced January 14, 2026; referred to Committee on Governmental Operations
  • Action history shows subsequent amendments and re-commitment to Governmental Operations (as of May 14, 2026)
  • Effective date set to 180 days after enactment
  • Reports must be filed on the established schedules (bi-monthly and semi-annual/annual, per current law and as amended)

Potential impact and considerations

  • Increased transparency: The bill broadens the scope of information disclosed by lobbyists, particularly the position on each lobbying item, procurement documents, and relationships with public officials.
  • Administrative burden: Lobbyists and clients would face more granular reporting requirements, including itemized expenses and documentation retention (three years).
  • Oversight and enforcement: Expanded disclosures could enhance monitoring by the lobbying oversight commission and the public, potentially increasing compliance scrutiny.
  • Public accessibility: The expanded data would provide readers with clearer insight into lobbying strategies and influences on specific bills, orders, and state actions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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