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Laws of New York (Last Updated: November 21, 2014) |
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PBO Public Officers |
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Article 4. POWERS AND DUTIES OF PUBLIC OFFICERS |
Section 73. Business or professional activities by state officers and employees and party officers
Latest version.
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1. As used in this section: (a) The term "compensation" shall mean any money, thing of value or financial benefit conferred in return for services rendered or to be rendered. With regard to matters undertaken by a firm, corporation or association, compensation shall mean net revenues, as defined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as defined by the state ethics commission or legislative ethics committee in relation to persons subject to their respective jurisdictions. (b) The term "licensing" shall mean any state agency activity, other than before the division of corporations and state records in the department of state, respecting the grant, denial, renewal, revocation, enforcement, suspension, annulment, withdrawal, recall, cancellation or amendment of a license, permit or other form of permission conferring the right or privilege to engage in (i) a profession, trade, or occupation or (ii) any business or activity regulated by a regulatory agency as defined herein, which in the absence of such license, permit or other form of permission would be prohibited. (c) The term "legislative employee" shall mean any officer or employee of the legislature but it shall not include members of the legislature. (d) The term "ministerial matter" shall mean an administrative act carried out in a prescribed manner not allowing for substantial personal discretion. (e) The term "regulatory agency" shall mean the banking department, insurance department, state liquor authority, department of agriculture and markets, department of education, department of environmental conservation, department of health, division of housing and community renewal, department of state, other than the division of corporations and state records, department of public service, the industrial board of appeals in the department of labor and the department of law, other than when the attorney general or his agents or employees are performing duties specified in section sixty-three of the executive law. (f) The term "representative capacity" shall mean the presentation of the interests of a client or other person pursuant to an agreement, express or implied, for compensation for services. (g) The term "state agency" shall mean any state department, or division, board, commission, or bureau of any state department, any public benefit corporation, public authority or commission at least one of whose members is appointed by the governor, or the state university of New York or the city university of New York, including all their constituent units except community colleges of the state university of New York and the independent institutions operating statutory or contract colleges on behalf of the state. (h) The term "statewide elected official" shall mean the governor, lieutenant governor, comptroller or attorney general. (i) The term "state officer or employee" shall mean: (i) heads of state departments and their deputies and assistants other than members of the board of regents of the university of the state of New York who receive no compensation or are compensated on a per diem basis; (ii) officers and employees of statewide elected officials; (iii) officers and employees of state departments, boards, bureaus, divisions, commissions, councils or other state agencies other than officers of such boards, commissions or councils who receive no compensation or are compensated on a per diem basis; and (iv) members or directors of public authorities, other than multi-state authorities, public benefit corporations and commissions at least one of whose members is appointed by the governor, who receive compensation other than on a per diem basis, and employees of such authorities, corporations and commissions. (j) The term "city agency" shall mean a city, county, borough or other office, position, administration, department, division, bureau, board, commission, authority, corporation or other agency of government, the expenses of which are paid in whole or in part from the city treasury, and shall include the board of education, the board of higher education, school boards, city and community colleges, community boards, the New York city transit authority, the New York city housing authority and the Triborough bridge and tunnel authority, but shall not include any court or corporation or institution maintaining or operating a public library, museum, botanical garden, arboretum, tomb, memorial building, aquarium, zoological garden or similar facility. (k) The term "political party chairman" shall mean: (i) the chairman of the state committee of a party elected as provided in section 2-112 of the election law and his or her successor in office; (ii) the chairman of a county committee elected as provided in section 2-112 of the election law and his or her successor in office from a county having a population of three hundred thousand or more or who receives compensation or expenses, or both, during the calendar year aggregating thirty thousand dollars or more; and (iii) that person (usually designated by the rules of a county committee as the "county leader" or "chairman of the executive committee") by whatever title designated, who pursuant to the rules of a county committee or in actual practice, possesses or performs any or all of the following duties or roles, provided that such person was elected from a county having a population of three hundred thousand or more or was a person who received compensation or expenses, or both, from constituted committee or political committee funds, or both, during the reporting period aggregating thirty thousand dollars or more: (A) the principal political, executive and administrative officer of the county committee; (B) the power of general management over the affairs of the county committee; (C) the power to exercise the powers of the chairman of the county committee as provided for in the rules of the county committee; (D) the power to preside at all meetings of the county executive committee, if such a committee is created by the rules of the county committee or exists de facto, or any other committee or subcommittee of the county committee vested by such rules with or having de facto the power of general management over the affairs of the county committee at times when the county committee is not in actual session; (E) the power to call a meeting of the county committee or of any committee or subcommittee vested with the rights, powers, duties or privileges of the county committee pursuant to the rules of the county committee, for the purpose of filling an office at a special election in accordance with section 6-114 of the election law, for the purpose of filling a vacancy in accordance with section 6-116 of such law; or (F) the power to direct the treasurer of the party to expend funds of the county committee. The terms "constituted committee" and "political committee", as used in this paragraph (k), shall have the same meanings as those contained in section 14-100 of the election law. (l) A person has a "financial interest" in any entity if that person: (i) owns or controls ten percent or more of the stock of such entity (or one percent in the case of a corporation whose stock is regularly traded on an established securities exchange); or (ii) serves as an officer, director or partner of that entity. (m) The "relative" of any individual shall mean any person living in the same household as the individual and any person who is a direct descendant of that individual's grandparents or the spouse of such descendant. 2. In addition to the prohibitions contained in subdivision seven hereof, no statewide elected official, state officer or employee, member of the legislature or legislative employee shall receive, or enter into any agreement express or implied for, compensation for services to be rendered in relation to any case, proceeding, application, or other matter before any state agency, whereby his compensation is to be dependent or contingent upon any action by such agency with respect to any license, contract, certificate, ruling, decision, opinion, rate schedule, franchise, or other benefit; provided, however, that nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed to prohibit the fixing at any time of fees based upon the reasonable value of the services rendered. 3. (a) No statewide elected official, member of the legislature, legislative employee, full-time salaried state officer or employee shall receive, directly or indirectly, or enter into any agreement express or implied for, any compensation, in whatever form, for the appearance or rendition of services by himself or another against the interest of the state in relation to any case, proceeding, application or other matter before, or the transaction of business by himself or another with, the court of claims. (b) No state officer or employee who is required to file an annual statement of financial disclosure pursuant to the provisions of section seventy-three-a of this article, and is not otherwise subject to the provisions of this section, shall receive, directly or indirectly, or enter into any agreement express or implied, for any compensation, in whatever form, for the appearance or rendition of services by himself or another against the interest of the state agency by which he is employed or affiliated in relation to any case, proceeding, application or other matter before, or the transaction of business by himself or another with, the court of claims. 4. (a) No statewide elected official, state officer or employee, member of the legislature, legislative employee or political party chairman or firm or association of which such person is a member, or corporation, ten per centum or more of the stock of which is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by such person, shall (i) sell any goods or services having a value in excess of twenty-five dollars to any state agency, or (ii) contract for or provide such goods or services with or to any private entity where the power to contract, appoint or retain on behalf of such private entity is exercised, directly or indirectly, by a state agency or officer thereof, unless such goods or services are provided pursuant to an award or contract let after public notice and competitive bidding. This paragraph shall not apply to the publication of resolutions, advertisements or other legal propositions or notices in newspapers designated pursuant to law for such purpose and for which the rates are fixed pursuant to law. (b) No political party chairman of a county wholly included in a city with a population of more than one million, or firm or association of which such person is a member, or corporation, ten per centum or more of the stock of which is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by such person, shall (i) sell any goods or services having a value in excess of twenty-five dollars to any city agency, or (ii) contract for or provide such goods or services with or to any private entity where the power to contract, appoint or retain on behalf of such private entity is exercised directly or indirectly, by a city agency or officer thereof, unless such goods or services are provided pursuant to an award or contract let after public notice and competitive bidding. This paragraph shall not apply to the publication of resolutions, advertisements or other legal propositions or notices in newspapers designated pursuant to law for such purpose and for which the rates are fixed pursuant to law. (c) For purposes of this subdivision, the term "services" shall not include employment as an employee. 5. No statewide elected official, state officer or employee, individual whose name has been submitted by the governor to the senate for confirmation to become a state officer or employee, member of the legislature or legislative employee shall, directly or indirectly: (a) solicit, accept or receive any gift having more than a nominal value, whether in the form of money, service, loan, travel, lodging, meals, refreshments, entertainment, discount, forbearance or promise, or in any other form, under circumstances in which it could reasonably be inferred that the gift was intended to influence him, or could reasonably be expected to influence him, in the performance of his official duties or was intended as a reward for any official action on his part. No person shall, directly or indirectly, offer or make any such gift to a statewide elected official, or any state officer or employee, member of the legislature or legislative employee under such circumstances. (b) solicit, accept or receive any gift, as defined in section one-c of the legislative law, from any person who is prohibited from delivering such gift pursuant to section one-m of the legislative law unless under the circumstances it is not reasonable to infer that the gift was intended to influence him; or (c) permit the solicitation, acceptance, or receipt of any gift, as defined in section one-c of the legislative law, from any person who is prohibited from delivering such gift pursuant to section one-m of the legislative law to a third party including a charitable organization, on such official's designation or recommendation or on his or her behalf, under circumstances where it is reasonable to infer that the gift was intended to influence him. 5-a. (a) For the purpose of this subdivision only, the term "honorarium" shall mean any payment made in consideration for any speech given at a public or private conference, convention, meeting, social event, meal or like gathering. (b) No statewide elected official or head of any civil department shall, directly or indirectly, solicit, accept or receive any honorarium while holding such elected office or appointed position. (c) No member of the legislature or legislative employee shall, directly or indirectly, solicit, accept or receive any honorarium while holding such elected office or employment, other than honorarium paid in consideration for a speech given on a topic unrelated to the individual's current public employment or as earned income for personal services that are customarily provided in connection with the practice of a bona fide business, trade or profession, such as teaching, practicing law, medicine or banking, unless the sole or predominant activity thereof is making speeches. 6. (a) Every legislative employee not subject to the provisions of section seventy-three-a of this chapter shall, on and after December fifteenth and before the following January fifteenth, in each year, file with the legislative ethics committee established by section eighty of the legislative law a financial disclosure statement of (1) each financial interest, direct or indirect of himself, his spouse and his unemancipated children under the age of eighteen years in any activity which is subject to the jurisdiction of a regulatory agency or name of the entity in which the interest is had and whether such interest is over or under five thousand dollars in value. (2) every office and directorship held by him in any corporation, firm or enterprise which is subject to the jurisdiction of a regulatory agency, including the name of such corporation, firm or enterprise. (3) any other interest or relationship which he determines in his discretion might reasonably be expected to be particularly affected by legislative action or in the public interest should be disclosed. (b) Copies of such statements shall be open for public inspection and copying. (c) Any such legislative employee who knowingly and wilfully with intent to deceive makes a false statement or gives information which he knows to be false in any written statement required to be filed pursuant to this subdivision, shall be assessed a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars. Assessment of a civil penalty shall be made by the legislative ethics committee in accordance with the provisions of subdivision twelve of section eighty of the legislative law. For a violation of this subdivision, the committee may, in lieu of a civil penalty, refer a violation to the appropriate prosecutor and upon conviction, but only after such referral, such violation shall be punishable as a class A misdemeanor. 7. (a) No statewide elected official, or state officer or employee, other than in the proper discharge of official state or local governmental duties, or member of the legislature or legislative employee, or political party chairman shall receive, directly or indirectly, or enter into any agreement express or implied for, any compensation, in whatever form, for the appearance or rendition of services by himself or another in relation to any case, proceeding, application or other matter before a state agency where such appearance or rendition of services is in connection with: (i) the purchase, sale, rental or lease of real property, goods or services, or a contract therefor, from, to or with any such agency; (ii) any proceeding relating to rate making; (iii) the adoption or repeal of any rule or regulation having the force and effect of law; (iv) the obtaining of grants of money or loans; (v) licensing; or (vi) any proceeding relating to a franchise provided for in the public service law. (b) No political party chairman in a county wholly included in a city having a population of one million or more shall receive, directly or indirectly, or enter into any agreement express or implied for, any compensation, in whatever form, for the appearance or rendition of services by himself or another in relation to any case, proceeding, application or other matter before any city agency where such appearance or rendition of services is in connection with: (i) the purchase, sale, rental or lease of real property, goods or services, or a contract therefor, from, to or with any such agency; (ii) any proceeding relating to ratemaking; (iii) the adoption or repeal of any rule or regulation having the force and effect of law; (iv) the obtaining of grants of money or loans; (v) licensing. For purposes of this paragraph, the term "licensing" shall mean any city agency activity respecting the grant, denial, renewal, revocation, enforcement, suspension, annulment, withdrawal, recall, cancellation or amendment of a license, permit or other form of permission conferring the right or privilege to engage in (i) a profession, trade, or occupation or (ii) any business or activity regulated by a regulatory agency of a city agency which in the absence of such license, permit or other form of permission would be prohibited; and (vi) any proceeding relating to a franchise. (c) Nothing contained in this subdivision shall prohibit a statewide elected official, or a state officer or employee, unless otherwise prohibited, or a member of the legislature or legislative employee, or political party chairman, from appearing before a state agency in a representative capacity if such appearance in a representative capacity is in connection with a ministerial matter. (d) Nothing contained in this subdivision shall prohibit a member of the legislature, or a legislative employee on behalf of such member, from participating in or advocating any position in any matter in an official or legislative capacity, including, but not limited to, acting as a public advocate whether or not on behalf of a constituent. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit the application of the provisions of section seventy-seven of this chapter. (e) Nothing contained in this subdivision shall prohibit a state officer or employee from appearing before a state agency in a representative capacity on behalf of an employee organization in any matter where such appearance is duly authorized by an employee organization. (f) Nothing contained in this subdivision shall prohibit a political party chairman from participating in or advocating any matter in an official capacity. (g) Nothing contained in this subdivision shall prohibit internal research or discussion of a matter, provided, however, that the time is not charged to the client and the person does not share in the net revenues generated or produced by the matter. (h) Nothing contained in this subdivision shall prohibit a state officer or employee, unless otherwise prohibited, from appearing or rendering services in relation to a case, proceeding, application or transaction before a state agency, other than the agency in which the officer or employee is employed, when such appearance or rendition of services is made while carrying out official duties as an elected or appointed official, or employee of a local government or one of its agencies. 8. (a) (i) No person who has served as a state officer or employee shall within a period of two years after the termination of such service or employment appear or practice before such state agency or receive compensation for any services rendered by such former officer or employee on behalf of any person, firm, corporation or association in relation to any case, proceeding or application or other matter before such agency. (ii) No person who has served as a state officer or employee shall after the termination of such service or employment appear, practice, communicate or otherwise render services before any state agency or receive compensation for any such services rendered by such former officer or employee on behalf of any person, firm, corporation or other entity in relation to any case, proceeding, application or transaction with respect to which such person was directly concerned and in which he or she personally participated during the period of his or her service or employment, or which was under his or her active consideration. (iii) No person who has served as a member of the legislature shall within a period of two years after the termination of such service receive compensation for any services on behalf of any person, firm, corporation or association to promote or oppose, directly or indirectly, the passage of bills or resolutions by either house of the legislature. No legislative employee shall within a period of two years after the termination of such service receive compensation for any services on behalf of any person, firm, corporation or association to appear, practice or directly communicate before either house of the legislature to promote or oppose the passage of bills or resolutions by either house of the legislature. (iv) No person who has served as an officer or employee in the executive chamber of the governor shall within a period of two years after termination of such service appear or practice before any state agency. (b) (i) The provisions of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) of this subdivision shall not apply to any state officer or employee whose employment was terminated on or after January first, nineteen hundred ninety-five and before April first, nineteen hundred ninety-nine or on or after January first, two thousand nine and before April first, two thousand eleven because of economy, consolidation or abolition of functions, curtailment of activities or other reduction in the state work force. On or before the date of such termination of employment, the state agency shall provide to the terminated employee a written certification that the employee has been terminated because of economy, consolidation or abolition of functions, curtailment of activities or other reduction in the state work force, and that such employee is covered by the provisions of this paragraph. The written certification shall also contain a notice describing the rights and responsibilities of the employee pursuant to the provisions of this section. The certification and notice shall contain the information and shall be in the form set forth below: CERTIFICATION AND NOTICE TO: Employee's Name: ____________________________ State agency: ____________________________ Date of Termination: ____________________________ I, (name and title) of (state agency), hereby certify that your termination from State service is because of economy, consolidation or abolition of functions, curtailment of activities or other reduction in the State work force. Therefore, you are covered by the provisions of paragraph (b) of subdivision eight of section seventy-three of the Public Officers Law. You were designated as a policy maker: YES ____ NO ____ ______________ (TITLE) TO THE EMPLOYEE: This certification affects your right to engage in certain activities after you leave state service. Ordinarily, employees who leave State service may not, for two years, appear or practice before their former agency or receive compensation for rendering services on a matter before their former agency. However, because of this certification, you may be exempt from this restriction. If you were not designated as a Policymaker by your agency, you are automatically exempt. You may, upon leaving State service, immediately appear, practice or receive compensation for services rendered before your former agency. If you were designated as a Policymaker by your agency, you are eligible to apply for an exemption to the Commission on Public Integrity at 540 Broadway, Albany, New York 12207. Even if you are or become exempt from the two year bar, the lifetime bar of the revolving door statute will continue to apply to you. You may not appear, practice, communicate or otherwise render services before any State agency in relation to any case, proceeding, application or transaction with respect to which you were directly concerned and in which you personally participated during your State service, or which was under your active consideration. If you have any questions about the application of the post-employment restrictions to your circumstances, you may contact the Commission on Public Integrity at (518) 408-3976 or 1-800-87ETHIC (1-800-873-8442). (ii) The provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph shall not apply to any such officer or employee who at the time of or prior to such termination had served in a policymaking position as determined by the appointing authority, which determination had been filed with the state ethics commission or the commission on public integrity, provided that such officer or employee may so appear or practice or receive such compensation with the prior approval of the state ethics commission or the commission on public integrity. In determining whether to grant such approval the state ethics commission or the commission on public integrity shall consider: A. whether the employee's prior job duties involved substantial decision-making authority over policies, rule or contracts; B. the nature of the duties to be performed by the employee for the prospective employer; C. whether the prospective employment is likely to involve substantial contact with the employee's former agency and the extent to which any such contact is likely to involve matters where the agency has the discretion to make decisions based on the work product of the employee; D. whether the prospective employment may be beneficial to the state or the public; and E. the extent of economic hardship to the employee if the application is denied. (c) The provisions of paragraph (b) of this subdivision shall not apply to employees whose employment has been discontinued as a result of retirement or to employees who, prior to termination, have declined to exercise a right to another position with a state agency unless such position would require the employee to travel more than thirty-five miles in each direction to the new position or accept a reduction in base salary of more than ten per centum. (d) Nothing contained in this subdivision shall prohibit any state agency from adopting rules concerning practice before it by former officers or employees more restrictive than the requirements of this subdivision. (e) This subdivision shall not apply to any appearance, practice, communication or rendition of services before any state agency, or either house of the legislature, or to the receipt of compensation for any such services, rendered by a former state officer or employee or former member of the legislature or legislative employee, which is made while carrying out official duties as an elected official or employee of a federal, state or local government or one of its agencies. (f) Nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed to prevent a former state officer or employee who was employed on a temporary basis to perform routine clerical services, mail services, data entry services or other similar ministerial tasks, from subsequently being employed by a person, firm, corporation or association under contract to a state agency to perform such routine clerical services, mail services, data entry services or other similar ministerial tasks; provided however, this paragraph shall in no event apply to any such state officer or employee who was required to file an annual statement of financial disclosure pursuant to section seventy-three-a of this article. (g) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of paragraph (a) of this subdivision, a former state officer or employee may contract individually, or as a member or employee of a firm, corporation or association, to render services to any state agency when the agency head certifies in writing to the state ethics commission that the services of such former officer or employee are required in connection with the agency's efforts to address the state's year 2000 compliance problem. (h) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of paragraph (a) of this subdivision, a former state officer or employee may contract individually, or as a member or employee of a firm, corporation or association, to render services to any state agency when the agency head certifies in writing to the state ethics commission that the services of such former officer or employee are required in connection with the agency's response to a disaster emergency declared by the governor pursuant to section twenty-eight of the executive law. 8-a. The provisions of subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of paragraph (a) of subdivision eight of this section shall not apply to any such former state officer or employee engaged in any of the specific permitted activities defined in this subdivision that are related to any civil action or proceeding in any state or federal court, provided that the attorney general has certified in writing to the state ethics commission, with a copy to such former state officer or employee, that the services are rendered on behalf of the state, a state agency, state officer or employee, or other person or entity represented by the attorney general, and that such former state officer or employee has expertise, knowledge or experience which is unique or outstanding in a field or in a particular matter or which would otherwise be generally unavailable at a comparable cost to the state, a state agency, state officer or employee, or other person or entity represented by the attorney general in such civil action or proceeding. In those instances where a state agency is not represented by the attorney general in a civil action or proceeding in state or federal court, a former state officer or employee may engage in permitted activities provided that the general counsel of the state agency, after consultation with the state ethics commission, provides to the state ethics commission a written certification which meets the requirements of this subdivision. For purposes of this subdivision the term "permitted activities" shall mean generally any activity performed at the request of the attorney general or the attorney general's designee, or in cases where the state agency is not represented by the attorney general, the general counsel of such state agency, including without limitation: (a) preparing or giving testimony or executing one or more affidavits; (b) gathering, reviewing or analyzing information, including documentary or oral information concerning facts or opinions, attending depositions or participating in document review or discovery; (c) performing investigations, examinations, inspections or tests of persons, documents or things; (d) performing audits, appraisals, compilations or computations, or reporting about them; (e) identifying information to be sought concerning facts or opinions; or (f) otherwise assisting in the preparation for, or conduct of, such litigation. Nothing in this subdivision shall apply to the provision of legal representation by any former state officer or employee. * 8-b. Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of paragraph (a) of subdivision eight of this section, a former state officer or employee may contract individually, or as a member or employee of a firm, corporation or association, to render services to any state agency if, prior to engaging in such service, the agency head certifies in writing to the state ethics commission that such former officer or employee has expertise, knowledge or experience with respect to a particular matter which meets the needs of the agency and is otherwise unavailable at a comparable cost. Where approval of the contract is required under section one hundred twelve of the state finance law, the comptroller shall review and consider the reasons for such certification. The state ethics commission must review and approve all certifications made pursuant to this subdivision. * NB There are 2 sub 8-b's * 8-b. Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of paragraph (a) of subdivision eight of this section, a former state officer or employee who, prior to his or her separation from state service, was employed as a health care professional and, in conjunction with his or her state duties, provided treatment and/or medical services to individuals residing in or served by a state-operated facility is not barred from rendering services to such individuals in their care prior to leaving state service, at the state-operated facility which employed the former state officer or employee. * NB There are 2 sub 8-b's 9. No party officer while serving as such shall be eligible to serve as a judge of any court of record, attorney-general or deputy or assistant attorney-general or solicitor general, district attorney or assistant district attorney. As used in this subdivision, the term "party officer" shall mean a member of a national committee, an officer or member of a state committee or a county chairman of any political party. 10. Nothing contained in this section, the judiciary law, the education law or any other law or disciplinary rule shall be construed or applied to prohibit any firm, association or corporation, in which any present or former statewide elected official, state officer or employee, or political party chairman, member of the legislature or legislative employee is a member, associate, retired member, of counsel or shareholder, from appearing, practicing, communicating or otherwise rendering services in relation to any matter before, or transacting business with a state agency, or a city agency with respect to a political party chairman in a county wholly included in a city with a population of more than one million, otherwise proscribed by this section, the judiciary law, the education law or any other law or disciplinary rule with respect to such official, member of the legislature or officer or employee, or political party chairman, where such statewide elected official, state officer or employee, member of the legislature or legislative employee, or political party chairman does not share in the net revenues, as defined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles by the state ethics commission or by the legislative ethics committee in relation to persons subject to their respective jurisdictions, resulting therefrom, or, acting in good faith, reasonably believed that he or she would not share in the net revenues as so defined; nor shall anything contained in this section, the judiciary law, the education law or any other law or disciplinary rule be construed to prohibit any firm, association or corporation in which any present or former statewide elected official, member of the legislature, legislative employee, full-time salaried state officer or employee or state officer or employee who is subject to the provisions of section seventy-three-a of this chapter is a member, associate, retired member, of counsel or shareholder, from appearing, practicing, communicating or otherwise rendering services in relation to any matter before, or transacting business with, the court of claims, where such statewide elected official, member of the legislature, legislative employee, full-time salaried state officer or employee or state officer or employee who is subject to the provisions of section seventy-three-a of this chapter does not share in the net revenues, as defined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles by the state ethics commission or by the legislative ethics committee in relation to persons subject to their respective jurisdictions, resulting therefrom, or, acting in good faith, reasonably believed that he or she would not share in the net revenues as so defined. 11. Notwithstanding any provision of the judiciary law, the education law or any other law or disciplinary rule to the contrary: (a) Conduct authorized pursuant to subdivision eight of this section by a person who has served as a member of the legislature or as a legislative employee shall not constitute professional misconduct or grounds for disciplinary action of any kind; (b) No member of the legislature or former member of the legislature shall be prohibited from appearing, practicing, communicating or otherwise rendering services in relation to any matter before, or transacting business with, any state agency solely by reason of any vote or other action by such member or former member in respect to the confirmation or election of any member, commissioner, director or other person affiliated with such state agency, but nothing in this paragraph shall limit the prohibition contained in subdivision eight of this section; (c) The appearance, practice, communication or rendition of services in relation to any matter before, or transaction of business with a state agency, or with the court of claims, or the promotion or opposition to the passage of bills or resolutions by either house of the legislature, by a member, associate, retired member, of counsel or shareholder of a firm, association or corporation, in accordance with subdivision ten of this section, is hereby authorized and shall not constitute professional misconduct or grounds for disciplinary action of any kind solely by reason of the professional relationship between the statewide elected official, state officer or employee, political party chairman, member of the legislature, or legislative employee and any firm, association, corporation or any member, associate, retired member, of counsel, or shareholder thereof, or by reason of the appearance created by any such professional relationship. 12. A statewide elected official, state officer or employee, or a member of the legislature or legislative employee, or political party chairman, who is a member, associate, retired member, of counsel to, or shareholder of any firm, association or corporation which is appearing or rendering services in connection with any case, proceeding, application or other matter listed in paragraph (a) or (b) of subdivision seven of this section shall not orally communicate, with or without compensation, as to the merits of such cause with an officer or an employee of the agency concerned with the matter. 13. For the purposes of this section, a statewide elected official or state officer or employee or member of the legislature or legislative employee or political party chairman who is a member, associate, retired member, of counsel to, or shareholder of any firm, association or corporation shall not be deemed to have made an appearance under the provisions of this section solely by the submission to a state agency or city agency of any printed material or document bearing his or her name, but unsigned by him or her, such as by limited illustrations the name of the firm, association or corporation or the letterhead of any stationery, which pro forma serves only as an indication that he or she is such a member, associate, retired member, of counsel to, or shareholder. 14. (a) No statewide elected official, state officer or employee, member of the legislature or legislative employee may participate in any decision to hire, promote, discipline or discharge a relative for any compensated position at, for or within any state agency, public authority or the legislature. (b) This paragraph shall not apply to (i) the hiring of a relative by a legislator with a physical impairment, for the sole purpose of assisting with that impairment, as necessary and otherwise permitted by law; (ii) the temporary hiring of legislative pages, interns and messengers; or (iii) responding to inquiries with respect to prospective hires related to an individual covered by this paragraph. 15. No statewide elected official, state officer or employee, member of the legislature or legislative employee shall: (a) participate in any state contracting decision involving the payment of more than one thousand dollars to that individual, any relative of that individual, or any entity in which that individual or any relative has a financial interest; or (b) participate in any decision to invest public funds in any security of any entity in which that individual or any relative of that individual has a financial interest, is an underwriter, or receives any brokerage, origination or servicing fees. 16. (a) No statewide elected official, state officer or employee involved in the awarding of state grants or contracts may ask a current or prospective grantee or contractor, or any officer, director or employee thereof, to disclose: (i) the party affiliation of such grantee or contractor, or any officer, director or employee thereof; (ii) whether such grantee or contractor, or any officer, director or employee thereof, has made campaign contributions to any party, elected official, or candidate for elective office; or (iii) whether such grantee or contractor, or any officer, director or employee thereof, cast a vote for or against any elected official, candidate or political party. (b) No statewide elected official or state officer or employee may award or decline to award any state grant or contract, or recommend, promise or threaten to do so, in whole or in part, because of a current or prospective grantee's or contractor's refusal to answer any inquiry prohibited by paragraph (a) of this subdivision, or giving or withholding or neglecting to make any contribution of money or service or any other valuable thing for any political purpose. 17. (a) No statewide elected official, or state officer or employee may during the consideration of an employment decision ask any applicant for public employment to disclose: (i) the political party affiliation of the applicant; (ii) whether the applicant has made campaign contributions to any party, elected official, or candidate for elective office; or (iii) whether the applicant cast a vote for or against any elected official, candidate or political party. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply where (1) such inquiry is necessary for the proper application of any state law or regulation; or (2) such inquiry is consistent with publicly disclosed policies or practices of any state agency or public authority, whose purpose is to ensure the representation of more than one political party on any multi-member body. (b) No statewide elected official or state officer or employee may decline to hire or promote, discharge, discipline, or in any manner change the official rank or compensation of any state official or employee, or applicant for employment, or promise or threaten to do so, based upon a refusal to answer any inquiry prohibited by paragraph (a) of this subdivision, or for giving or withholding or neglecting to make any contribution of money or service or any other valuable thing for any political purpose. (c) No state officer or employee shall, directly or indirectly, use his or her official authority to compel or induce any other state officer or employee to make or promise to make any political contribution, whether by gift of money, service or other thing of value. 18. In addition to any penalty contained in any other provision of law, any person who knowingly and intentionally violates the provisions of subdivisions two through five, seven, eight, twelve or fourteen through seventeen of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed forty thousand dollars and the value of any gift, compensation or benefit received in connection with such violation. Assessment of a civil penalty hereunder shall be made by the state oversight body with jurisdiction over such person. A state oversight body acting pursuant to its jurisdiction, may, in lieu of a civil penalty, with respect to a violation of subdivisions two through five, seven or eight of this section, refer a violation of any such subdivision to the appropriate prosecutor and upon such conviction such violation shall be punishable as a class A misdemeanor.