Plain Language Publications

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    Responsibilities of the Agency Ethics Officer

    The Public Officers Law and Commission's ethics regulations create legal obligations for both agencies and their officers and employees. For this reason, each agency should designate an Ethics Officer to provide guidance to these individuals on compliance with the ethics laws.  This publication provides an overview of the role that Ethics Officers serve in that capacity.   

    Revised August 2022

     

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    Plain Language Guide to the State's Ethics Laws

    A comprehensive overview of the Public Officers Law and other related ethics laws, presented in a plain language format.  This publication is also used as the participant guide for FDS filers required to attend mandatory ethics trainings.  An excellent resource for those entering State service for the first time. 

     

    Revised 11/3/2022

     

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    Guide to Leaving State Service

    Quick reference guide to the restrictions and prohibitions that apply to State Officers and Employees that leave State service. General information on the 'Two Year Bar' and 'Lifetime Bar' are provided.  For more detailed information, refer to the comprehensive 'Post-Employment Restrictions' plain language guide.

    Revised 8/15/2022

     

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    Quick Reference Guide to the State's Ethics Laws

    A resource for those newly employed into State service.  Provides an overview of the State's ethics laws including conflicts of interest, acceptance of gifts and outside employment.  Recommended for distribution for all new public sector hires. 

    Effective through July 7, 2022

     

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Public Officers Law Handbook

Effective through July 7, 2022

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    Public Officers Law handbook for State Employees and Officials

    This handbook contains in its entirety a comprehensive list of the State's ethics laws that apply to State officers and employees.  Includes sections 73, 73-a, 74, 75, 76, 77 and 78 of the Public Officers Law which are required to those employees who must complete the Public Officers Law Section 78 Public Officer Oath/Affirmation provided by the New York Department of State. 

    For best results when printing, select double-sided and 'Fit' in the 'Page Sizing & Handling' menu item.  

    Revised 8/31/2022

     

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Ethics Reference Materials

Ethics Reminders and Guidance

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    Ethics Reminder: Accepting Gifts - Yes or No

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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    Ethics Reminder: Questions About Political Activities

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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    Ethics Reminder: Attorney of the Day

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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    Ethics Reminder: 'Tis the Season to Remember the Gift Rules

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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    Ethics Reminder: Running for Public Office

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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    Ethics Reminder: Exchanging Holiday Gifts

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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    Ethics Reminder: Poll Workers

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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    Ethics Reminder: COVID-19 and Working from Home

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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    Ethics Officer Guidance on Rental Property

    The Commission periodically provides guidance to Ethics Officers on particular topics of interest. This document provides guidance on dealing with State employees who are policymakers and earn income through rental properties, and how that is impacted by regulations on outside activity.

     

     

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    Ethics Reminder: Online Fundraising

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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    Ethics Reminder: Student Interns and the Post-Employment Restrictions

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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    Ethics Reminder: Accepting Textbooks

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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    Ethics Reminder: Widely Attended Events

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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    Ethics Reminder: Contracting with the State

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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    Ethics Reminder: What about the appearance?

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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    Ethics Reminder: Campaign Season

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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    Ethics Reminder: Nepotism

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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    Ethics Reminder: Use of Agency Letterhead

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each Reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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    Ethics Reminder: Work or volunteer outside the office?

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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    Ethics Reminder: Remember the 30-Day Rule

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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    Ethics Reminder: Don't put former colleagues at risk

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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    Ethics Reminder: Just say no thank you to gifts

    The Commission periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.

     

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Contact The Education Team

Contact the Education team for information regarding the mandatory ethics training requirements for State employees, and individuals registered as lobbyists.  

Contact us by phone:

Main Line 518-408-3976

Contact us by email:

Mailing Address:

New York State 

Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government

540 Broadway

Albany, New York 12207