S2224B

The New York State Senate passed legislation Tuesday that doubles the lobbying expenditure threshold for nonprofit organizations from $5,000 to $10,000 before they must file disclosure statements with state ethics regulators. Senate Print 2224B passed 35-23 on a largely party-line vote, with the Democratic majority supporting the measure and Republicans in opposition. Sponsor Sen. Krueger, represented by Sen. Mayer during floor debate, argued the original threshold set in 2005 is outdated given inflation and unfairly burdens small nonprofits with compliance costs. Mayer cited 33 organizations including the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York and Catholic Charities Community Services that would benefit from the increased threshold. However, opponents including Sens. Walczyk, Martins, and Rhoads raised transparency concerns, arguing the bill creates a loophole allowing nonprofits to spend up to $10,000 on lobbying without public disclosure. Sen. Walczyk warned that donors expect their contributions to support charitable missions, not lobbying, and expressed concern about nonprofits receiving state tax dollars hiring lobbyists without accountability. Sen. Rhoads criticized what he called hypocrisy, noting the chamber recently tightened transparency requirements for nonprofits commenting on nominations while now loosening disclosure requirements for actual lobbying expenditures. The bill takes effect 60 days after becoming law.