Public Ethics, Joint Commission on

Agency Web Site: https://www.jcope.ny.gov

Mission

The mission of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) is to promote public trust in government by ensuring compliance with the State's ethics and lobbying laws. Established in 2011 by the Public Integrity Reform Act, JCOPE was granted broad oversight over the executive and legislative branches of government.

Organization and Staffing

The Commission consists of 14 members. Appointing authority and terms for the commissioners vary according to the law. A Chairperson is selected and appointed by the Governor. JCOPE maintains a statewide presence with offices in Albany, New York City and Buffalo. The commissioners appoint the Executive Director, responsible for overseeing JCOPE's day-to-day operation and core functions. JCOPE’s mission is carried out by five divisions: Ethics, Lobbying, Investigations/Enforcement, Communications/Public Information, and Administration.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2022 Executive Budget recommends $5.6 million in All Funds appropriations. This includes a $12,000 increase from FY 2021 due to increased lease costs. The FY 2022 Executive Budget recommends 46 FTEs, which is unchanged from the previous year.

Program Highlights

JCOPE has jurisdiction over executive and legislative officials and employees, who file approximately 36,000 financial disclosure statements annually, as well as approximately 8,300 lobbyists and their 4,500 clients who reported spending $298 million for their lobbying efforts during 2019. JCOPE provides information, education and guidance regarding current ethics and lobbying laws, and ensures compliance with these laws through audits, investigations and enforcement proceedings. JCOPE, upon request, provides the public with required disclosures filed by those under its jurisdiction.

ALL FUNDS
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Category	Available FY 2021	Appropriations Recommended FY 2022	Change From FY 2021	Reappropriations Recommended FY 2022
State Operations	5,582,000	5,594,000	12,000	0
Total	5,582,000	5,594,000	12,000	0

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program	FY 2021 Estimated FTEs 03/31/21	FY 2022 Estimated FTEs 03/31/22	FTE Change
Public Ethics
General Fund	46	46	0
Total	46	46	0

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type	Available FY 2021	Recommended FY 2022	Change
General Fund	5,582,000	5,594,000	12,000
Total	5,582,000	5,594,000	12,000

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program	Available FY 2021	Recommended FY 2022	Change
Public Ethics
General Fund	5,582,000	5,594,000	12,000
Total	5,582,000	5,594,000	12,000

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2022 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program	Total		Personal Service Regular (Annual Salaried)
Program	Amount	Change	Amount	Change
Public Ethics	4,682,000	0	4,637,000	0
Total	4,682,000	0	4,637,000	0

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2022 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program	Temporary Service (Nonannual Salaried)		Holiday/Overtime Pay
Program	Amount	Change	Amount	Change
Public Ethics	0	0	45,000	0
Total	0	0	45,000	0

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2022 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program	Total		Supplies and Materials
Program	Amount	Change	Amount	Change
Public Ethics	912,000	12,000	80,000	0
Total	912,000	12,000	80,000	0

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2022 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program	Travel		Contractual Services
Program	Amount	Change	Amount	Change
Public Ethics	40,000	0	742,000	12,000
Total	40,000	0	742,000	12,000

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2022 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program	Equipment
Program	Amount	Change
Public Ethics	50,000	0
Total	50,000	0

Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/19/2021

^Top