ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed a new law to strengthen ethics enforcement for government officials.
The measure, which the governor proposed, establishes a new 14-member Joint Commission on Public Ethics to oversee and investigate compliance by lawmakers. It will also monitor executive branch and legislative employees and oversee registration and conduct of lobbyists.
Six members will be chosen by the governor. Four will be selected by legislative leaders, with at least four from each major political party.
Those functions have been handled by the Commission on Public Integrity, which will close, and the Legislative Ethics Commission, which will continue and have authority to impose penalties.
The law requires legislators to disclose more about their private businesses and income and their law firm clients.
