[HISTORY: Adopted by the Rockland County Legislature 4-1-1997
by L.L. No. 3-1997,[1] amended in its entirety 4-15-1997 by L.L.
No. 10-1997. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law, originally adopted 2-18-1997,
was adopted over the veto of the County Executive 4-1-1997.
This chapter shall be known as the "Campaign Reform Act of 1997."
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any person seeking election to any County position, as defined by
the New York State Election Law, within the County of Rockland, including
any political committee formed for the sole purpose of electing one or more
candidates, as defined herein.
The transfer, to a candidate, of any tangible or intangible property, including but not limited to cash, check, money order, ticket or admission to social, artistic or sporting event, use of office space, equipment or postage, whether temporary or permanent, and any other real or personal property for the purpose of obtaining election to any position as defined in § 223-2 of this chapter.
The calendar year in which any primary, general or special election
takes place.
Those persons eligible to vote in a specific election, as defined
by the Rockland County Board of Elections.
Includes those individuals or organizations appearing on the County's
vendor's list or contract agencies list; or those who are acting as contractor
or supplier for which role they are paid County funds; or unions dealing with
the County or its agencies. However, this definition shall specifically exclude
individual employees and their immediate family who are not beneficial owners
of more than 10% of a corporation or other entity doing business with the
County, employees of local governments and individual members of any union,
if employment or membership is their only business relationship with the County.
Any individual who, for remuneration of any kind, influences or attempts
to influence any County official. Any such lobbyist shall register, on a form
provided by the Clerk to the Legislature, as such lobbyist for any calendar
year in which said lobbyist performs such lobbying service for remuneration
of any kind.
Transfer any tangible or intangible property, including but not limited to cash, check, money order, ticket or admission to social, artistic or sporting event, use of office space, equipment or postage, whether temporary or permanent, or any other real or personal property for the purpose of obtaining election to any position, as defined in § 223-2 of this chapter.
A.
Donations.
(1)
No individual, corporation, lobbyist or other entity
doing business with the County of Rockland shall make a donation, in the aggregate,
of more than $100 to any candidate during any primary, special or general
election campaign.
(2)
No candidate shall knowingly accept any such donation
in excess of $100.
B.
Expenditures. No candidate shall spend, in any general,
special or primary election, a sum in excess of the amount calculated by multiplying
the sum of $2 by the number of persons eligible to vote in such election.
A.
The County Executive shall, on a quarterly basis, direct the Rockland County Director of Purchasing to compile a list of names, based on the County's records, listing those individuals, corporations or other entities doing business with the County of Rockland, as defined in § 223-2 of this chapter. This list shall be available for public viewing in the office of the Rockland County Board of Elections.
B.
The County Executive shall, on a quarterly basis, also
direct the Rockland County Director of Budget and Finance to compile a list
of those contract agencies that receive funding from the County of Rockland.
This list shall be available for public viewing in the office of the Rockland
County Board of Elections.
[Amended 10-21-1997 by L.L. No. 21-1997]
Violation of this chapter shall be punishable, for the first offense,
by a fine of not less than $250 or three times the amount illegally contributed,
whichever is greater, and each subsequent violation shall be punishable by
a fine not less than $500 or four times the amount illegally contributed,
whichever is greater, to be enforced through a civil procedure by the County
Attorney.
[Added 10-21-1997 by L.L. No. 21-1997]
Any complaints of alleged violations of this chapter may be made to
the Rockland County Board of Elections, which shall notify the County Executive
and the Chairman of the County Legislature when it has received a complaint
of alleged violation of this chapter. The Board of Elections shall then proceed
to investigate whether in fact this chapter has been violated and shall make
a determination. If the Board of Elections determines that this chapter has
been violated, the person or committee who allegedly violated this chapter
shall be given 15 days, after notice by the Board of Elections, to return
the money or correct the violation. If said party fails to do so within 15
days, after notice by the Board of Elections, the matter shall be referred
to the County Attorney's office for enforcement of a civil proceeding
to collect an appropriate civil penalty, which will be payable to the County
of Rockland.
